Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What awards will available in this specification?
A. GCE Technology & Design is comprised of two levels: AS and A2. The AS can be taken as a stand-alone qualification without progression to A2. However, to obtain the Advanced GCE qualification, students will have to complete both the AS and A2 levels.
Q. What range of grades will students entered for GCE Technology & Design be able to achieve?
A. A Level qualifications will be awarded on a six-grade scale: A*, A, B, C, D and E. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for a Grade E will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a certificate.
Q.What will students study in this specification?
The specification will have unitised structure. Students will have to study two units at each level. The units are listed below:
AS Level
AS 1: Product Design and Systems and Control
AS 2: Coursework: Product Development
A2 Level
A2 1: Systems and Control
A2 2: Coursework: Product-System, Design and Manufacture |
Q. What are the percentage assessment weightings of each unit?
| What are the percentage assessment weightings of each unit? |
| The table below outlines the percentage assessment weightings for each unit: |
| Unit |
Weighting |
AS 1:
Product Design and Systems and Control
|
50% of AS
25% of A level
|
AS 2:
Coursework: Product Development
|
50% of AS
25% of A level
|
A2 1:
Systems and Control
|
25% of A level |
A2 2:
Coursework: Product-System, Design and Manufacture
|
25% of A level |
Q. How many written exams will students have to sit?
A. In GCE Technology and Design, students will have to sit two exams: one at AS and one at A2 level. The exams will last two hours and will be externally assessed.
Q. How much coursework will students have to complete?
A. Students will have to complete two coursework units: one at AS and one at A2 level.
Q. How will the coursework be marked?
A. The coursework will be internally assessed by the teacher but externally moderated by us.
Q.Will students be able to re-sit assessment units?
A. Yes, students will be able to re-sit AS and A2 assessment units. The best result for each assessment unit will count towards the AS and A Level qualifications.
Q. Are there any prerequisites for this course?
A. No, there are no specific prerequisites for this course, however most students will have gained some experience in this or a related subject area. A GCSE in Technology and Design would be to the student’s advantage.
Q. What date do the Candidate Record Sheets for GCE T&D have to be with CCEA?
Support Event 13/10/08 Stormont Hotel
Q&A A2 1
Q. Can a candidate complete their coursework on mechanics/pneumatics and answer questions on electronics or vice versa?
A. There is nothing to prevent a candidate taking this route as the course is flexible. However the advice from the Principal Moderator would be to complete both parts of the course on the same option, as it is important to bring knowledge from the theory units into the coursework element.
Q. Can candidates get an A* using a resit mark?
A. There is no prohibition on using a resit mark to gain the A* grade. The candidates best result for each module is used to calculate their final grade when they cash in.
Q. Can a full formula sheet be provided on the Microsite?
A. Yes. This material will be available during spring/summer 2011.
Q. Can marks for QWC be listed next to the question inside the question paper in addition to the rubric?
A. This will be done for future papers (Summer 2010 onwards) but not for the first series as these papers have already been produced.
Q. In section 3.6 of the specification, LED bar array and LCD displays, do candidates need to know about bar code display drivers or do they simply need to know, for example, how to light up 10 units?
A. Candidates would not be expected to know how the specifics of a particular driver would work. A question would be set as part of a scenario and any specific information on how a particular driver works would be given in the question.
Q. In section 3.2, Safety, where do you start and stop with this topic?
A. Questions on this topic would be put in context and candidates would be asked, for example, about implications for a given scenario. In terms of electrical safety, questions would be general not are not likely to be specific to particular equipment/plant.
Q. As section 3.5 PICs, is a new topic, which PICs need to be taught?
A. This will be covered in a general way, candidates won’t need to know specifics of how a particular PIC works. Each centre may use different PICs so candidates will be assessed on their ability to use the technology to solve problems.
Q. If a topic has been asked one year, can we assume that it won’t be assessed the following year?
A. No, all aspects of the specification will be assessed over the lifespan of the qualification however it will not be possible to ‘eliminate’ topics year on year.
Q&A A2 2
Q. What is the submission date for GCE coursework?
Q. Will candidates be penalised for submitting more than 20 A3 pages?
A. No, candidates would not be penalised however centres would be advised on their feedback to reduce the quantity of material produced in order to reduce the burden on both teachers and students.
Q. On page 21 of the specification, bullet 1, explore a range of problems and needs in a range of design contexts – do candidates need to look at a number of problems? Surely this would take up a number of the 20 allowed pages?
A. It would be envisaged that candidates would do a lot of research to identify the problem however the project will be marked on the basis of a problem. The detailed research material does not need to be included in the portfolio.
Q. Is it possible for a copy of the January 2009 paper to be sent to all centres as most schools will not enter candidates for this first sitting?
A. A request has been made with senior management as this is not normal practice. Please keep tracking the support materials section on the microsite for updates.
Q. In the manufacture section in the previous specification there were a large number of marks for modification, how many marks will be available for this in the revised specification?
A. There are no specific marks allocated for modification, the mark scheme in this specification is more subjective. In order to award a top mark, the moderating team would like to see that some modifications have been made to the product.
Q. How much evidence of manufacture will be asked for in visiting moderation?
A. As the team will be looking at the physical product rather than a photograph they won’t need to see any additional evidence of manufacture.
Q. If high marks are awarded for manufacture, does the product need to work on the day of the visiting moderation?
A. The moderator would hope to see the product functioning however it should be evident from inspection of the product and support material whether or not the product had functioned.
Q. Will AS and A2 be moderated on the same day and by the same moderator?
A. AS and A2 will be treated as 2 separate components and are likely to be moderated by different moderators. Whether or not this will take place on separate days is a scheduling issue and will be confirmed closer to the moderation date.
Q. Is CCEA using an e-portfolio software package for submission of coursework?
A. CCEA are trialling various packages for use in the future. In the meantime centres are asked to produce paper based portfolios. Should your centre wish to produce electronic versions of portfolios on they should store the portfolio on a CD and still produce a paper back up.
