Controlled Assessment

Useful Downloads

Student Guidance - Unit 3 Investigation TaskPDF

Candidate Record Sheet: Unit 3 Investigation Task
(PDF), Last Updated: 18 November 2011

Candidate Record Sheet: Unit 4 Short Task
(PDF), Last Updated: 18 November 2011

Controlled Assessment Student Guide
(PDF), Last Updated: 20 January 2010

Student Guidance Unit 4 Short Task
(PDF), Last Updated: 27 January 2012

Teacher Guidance - Unit 3 Investiagation Task
(PDF), Last Updated: 30 September 2011

Teacher Guidance - Unit 4 Short Task
(PDF), Last Updated: 30 September 2011

We award 60 percent of the marks for controlled assessment. Students must complete internal assessments which take the form of controlled tasks: Unit 3: Investigation Task is worth 40 percent, and Unit 4: Short Task is worth 20 percent. The class teacher marks the tasks and we moderate them. The assessments take place in summer, at a date and time suited to individual centres.

There are three controlled tasks to choose from for each unit. Please note that we review and amend the tasks every two years.

Each task contains the following four compulsory components:

a research-based activity (3000 words maximum);
a planning activity (1000 words maximum);
a practical activity; and
an evaluation activity (750 words maximum).

These tasks require students to plan and carry out investigations and tasks in which they:

analyse issues and problems;
identify, gather and record relevant information and evidence;
analyse and evaluate evidence; and
make reasoned justifications and present conclusions.

Students must complete their research-based assignment under conditions that combine both classroom and independent study activities.

For more information, see the specification.