Spec changes... CCEA are changing their subject specifications
Applied GCE Revision
CCEA’s Applied specifications give students practical experience of a subject and how it is used in reallife contexts. This practical approach helps students develop knowledge and skills that benefit them both in employment and in preparation for higher education. The specifications build on the foundations laid by the GCSE specifications. However, it is not essential that a student completes a GCSE in a subject before undertaking an Applied GCE.
Specimen Assessment Materials for the current specifications (first teaching 2006) have been revised and accredited by the regulators to address the issue of ‘stretch and challenge’ and the attainment of A*. These revised SAMs were mailed to centres early last term and are available online at www.ccea.org.uk
Phase 1
Specimen assessment materials for the current specifications (first teaching 2006) have been revised and accredited by the regulators to address the issue of ‘stretch and challenge’ and the attainment of A*. From 2010, A2 papers will have:
- a variety of stems in questions (for example analyse, evaluate, discuss and compare);
- connectivity between sections of questions; • an element of extended writing
- a wider range of question types to address different skills (for example short answer, structured questions, open-ended questions and case studies); and
- improved synoptic assessment, requiring candidates to identify and use aspects of knowledge and skills from across the full course studied to address a particular task or question.
What Next?
- Applied specimen assessment materials are now available on the relavent subject microsites.
- Support events on the changes to the examination papers were held during May and June 09.
Phase 2
We will soon be reviewing the content and assessment structure of our Applied GCE specifications. We will keep you up-to-date with progress and development in the next issue of Spec Changes.
Phase 3
We will be consulting with you in the near future, as we begin the development of a series of new GCE Applied qualifications intended to help you and your learners meet the needs of the Entitlement Framework.
