Rainey guide to GCSE Controlled Assessment.


Controlled Assessment Overview

Controlled assessment is a new approach for those GCSE subjects which require internal assessment. It is a tightening of the circumstances in which candidates, over a period of time, complete those aspects of the subject which are usually marked by their teacher.

Important processes in coursework, now referred to as ‘controlled assessment’, relate to:

Setting Tasks

To ensure that tasks are valid and reliable by making them less predictable and formulaic.

Taking Tasks

To control the circumstances under which tasks are taken to address issues of authentication of the work.

Marking Tasks

To ensure high-quality teacher judgements are made when teachers assess candidates’ work.

For each of the above processes, different levels of control are possible. These are defined as:

• high;

medium; and

Low/limited.

Within any subject, varying levels of control are likely to be required across the three processes.

Controlled assessment regulations set out the level of control at each process for individual subjects. The aim is to address issues of authenticity, plagiarism and comparability of process and demand across specifications in the same subject offered by different awarding bodies.

Task Taking Explained

The main issue for centres relates to the level of supervision required when candidates are completing their controlled assessment tasks. The level of supervision varies for individual subjects and is defined in each specification.

Formal Supervision (High Level of Control)

With this level of control, candidates’ work must be completed under direct supervision. This might be the candidates’ teacher or another person nominated by the centre.

For most specifications, candidates do not have to complete their work in one sitting, unlike an external examination. Section 6 of each specification details the subject specific requirements.

Formal supervision usually happens during the final stages of the work when candidates write up the results of preparatory work or research and present the outcome for assessment. When this takes place over a number of sessions, candidates’ work should be collected, stored securely and redistributed as necessary.

Informal Supervision (Medium Level of Control)

With this level of control, candidates can work on their own with some guidance by the teacher. In some subjects, for example art and design, and music, it may be necessary for candidates to complete part of the assessment outside the classroom.

Whatever arrangements are made, the teacher or supervisor must be able to state that what each candidate has presented for assessment is the candidate’s own work. This can be assured by close supervision of portfolio work which may have been:

-started in class and completed in the candidate’s own time, or

-started outside the classroom and completed by the candidate in class.

In either case, the amount of work carried out during class time should be sufficient for the teacher or supervisor to determine each candidate’s capability in relation to what is presented for assessment. An analytical discussion with the candidate about his/her work would be one method of ensuring authenticity.

Limited Supervision (Low Level of Control)

With this level of control, candidates undertake work without teacher supervision.

Candidates may undertake research and preparatory work which will inform, but should not be included in, the final piece of work presented for assessment.

Once a Controlled assessment has been formally completed, it will be internally marked and moderated in accordance with guidance provided by CCEA and a sample forwarded as requested for external moderation.

Parents should note – it is not possible to re-sit a CA task. The new task for the next acdemic year would have to be undertaken. CA marks, can, however, be resubmitted should a pupil wish to re-sit an examination component of a subject at a later stage.

For subject specific details, visit and search for the subject information in the microsites.

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The following GCSE subjects have no Controlled Assessment components:

  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education [coursework components – see pp10]
  • Religious Studies

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Subject Information

GCSE Art and Design

The Controlled Assessment is the ongoing part of the course started in September of year 11 and concluded in January of year 12. Pupils are expected to have a maximum of 20 A2 pages demonstrating their observational and artist studies completed using a variety of media and experimentation. One outcome in also realised (either 2D or 3D) during this time. This work accounts for 60% of the overall GCSE grade and is completed in class and at home.

Parents can help support their son/daughter by ensuring that work is up to date and that their child works on a continuous basis - a little every night. Therefore, ensuring that all targets are reached and their full potential is realised.

The GCSE Art and Design course is complete before the Easter break in 2014.

GCSEBiology

Biology Triple Award: Start September, Deadline November

There are two opportunities for controlled assessment in Biology. The first piece will be completed it class in November Y12. Depending on the results of this piece of work, pupils may be advised to complete a second piece of controlled assessment in March Y12. The controlled assessment is worth 25% of this GCSE.

GCSE Business Studies

Controlled Assessment is 1 piece, worth 25% of the total marks for the subject. Pupils will work on Controlled Assessment for 8 weeks from w/c 30thSeptember. They will be given five research tasks which they will complete in school and at home. It is essential that work to be done at home is completed, so that the timescale for completion of tasks is adhered to. The tasks this year are on business ownership, the role of the entrepreneur, quality control and Health & Safety. Uform have kindly agreed to provide information to pupils as the basis for their research. Pupils will then have to write-up their research tasks as a report. The report consists of 4 tasks. These must be completed under examination conditions in 3 hours. This time as been divided into 6 half hour slots. Full attendance at class is essential. Pupils must be fully engaged in active research at home in order to maximise their score. *Date & period will vary for both classes

GCSE Chemistry

Chemistry Triple Award: Start September, Deadline November

There are two opportunities for controlled assessment in Chemistry. The first piece will be completed it class in November Y12. Depending on the results of this piece of work, pupils may be advised to complete a second piece of controlled assessment in March Y12. The controlled assessment is worth 25% of this GCSE.

GCSE Drama Controlled Assessment

Task One: Improvisation

  • In groups, students devise, script, prepare and perform an improvisation based on a fairy tale/nursery rhyme. Their objective is to make their chosen childhood story applicable in the modern world. An oral appraisal of the performance will be carried out by the class teacher.
  • Students must complete a candidate notebook detailing the process of preparation and justifying the choices made for their performance.
  • This task will be completed in May of Year 11 and is worth 30%.

Task Two: Scripted Performance

  • In groups, pupils choose a published play. They must edit the script, create set, organise costume and ultimately perform the piece for the external moderator. The moderator will then conduct an oral appraisal of the performance with the group of candidates.
  • Students must complete a candidate notebook detailing the process of preparation and justifying the choices made for their performance.
  • This task will be completed in March/April of Year 12 and is worth 30%.

Assessment:

Task One / Task Two
AO1: Preparation / 10% / 10%
AO2: Performance / 10% / 10%
AO3: Appraisal / 10% / 10%

Please note how significant thorough preparation for each task is; equal marks given for preparation and performance! Students should be aware that they must be fully committed to their group by attending rehearsals, sharing ideas and completing an appropriately detailed candidate notebook in order to maximise their marks.

GCSE English Language

60% - 40% for 3 written tasks

-20% for 3 speaking and listening tasks

Written Tasks

a)Writing Creatively (15%)

This is completed in November of Year 11. All work in the first half term will be in preparation for this. Pupils will be expected to do detailed planning, preparation and practice in the weeks leading up to the final assessment. The write-up is completed during three 40 minute sessions of class time.

b)The Study of Spoken Language (10%)

A different focus is given by the examination board each year eg motivational talk, political talk, interviews etc. The material will be studied in class and the write-up will take place at the beginning of May in Year 11. Pupils will be given suggestions and prompts to aid their planning and preparation for the final write-up.

c)The Study of Written Language (15%)

Candidates study a work of literature (eg Macbeth) and give a written analytical response to it. This forms the basis of classwork during the first term of Year 12 and is completed in two 45 minute sessions in class time in November. Students are expected to make detailed notes and essay plans in the weeks leading up to the final write-up.

Please note: Because of the strict regulations regarding task setting, it is not possible to repeat any of these tasks. Pupils should be encouraged to recognise the importance of preparing carefully for each of them.

Speaking and Listening (20%)

Pupils must be assessed in 3 key areas. :

-Drama based task

-Individual Contribution (eg formal talk to class)

-Contribution to group discussion.

There will be opportunities over the two years for pupils to be assessed in each of these contexts. Best marks will then be selected for the examination.

GCSE English Literature

Controlled assessment forms 25% of this course. The focus for the assessment is the study of two linked texts, for example Romeo and Juliet and Pride and Prejudice. This work is completed in two separate sessions:

Part 1 – The Study of Shakespeare (10%) – completed in one hour of class time in May of Year 11.

Part 2 – Comparison of the two texts (15%) – completed in 90 minutes of class time in early October of Year 12.

GCSE Geography

What is ‘controlled assessment’?

Controlled assessment is really just supervised coursework. The key difference between the old-style coursework and the new controlled assessment is that some aspects of the field report are completed under strictly supervised conditions (similar to exam conditions).

What are the controlled assessment requirements for the CCEA specification?

CCEA requires one ‘fieldwork report’ in Unit 3, worth 25% (2000 word limit).

What format can the completed controlled assessment task take?

Students will write their controlled assessment in the style of a field report.

Who marks the work?

Teachers mark the work (which is then cross-moderated by another teacher in their department) and a sample number of projects are sent for external moderation.

When is controlled assessment carried out?

In Geography, the CA task is started in June of Year 11, with the field report written in September and October of Year 12.

What are the different levels of control?

There are 2 different levels of control: limited and high.

Fieldwork is carried out under limited control for CCEA. Students can work in groups to collect data and can discuss their findings with the teacher.

The research and data processing stages for all specifications are carried out under limited control.

The analysis, interpretation, conclusion and evaluation stages for CCEA are carried out under high control.

GCSE Health and Social Care

  • Worth 60% of your overall GCSE qualification, there are three tasks to complete.

Name of Task / Marks Available / Word Count
Task 1 – Plan and carry out an investigation into accessing a care service for a chosen service user. / 33 / 1600 words
Task 2 – Produce an information booklet on a local HSC or Early Years service, using primary and secondary information, which could be given to an individual or family who have moved to the area. / 30 / 6 sides of A4
Task 3 – Produce a PowerPoint presentation with notes using primary and secondary sources in which you explain one job role from HSC or Early Years and Children’s Services. / 25 / 10 Slides and a minimum of three images.
Slides must be annotated.
Planning / time management / organisation / 12

Total 100 marks

Most of the work involved is done in class time, amixture of class teaching, independent working and working with others.

Your attendance in class is essential.

All information and research must be kept safe as it must be included in the appendices.

A word count must be detailed at the end of each task. All tasks must be within 10% tolerance of the word limit or the top mark band / grade cannot be achieved.

It is anticipated that CA will start in November.

GCSE History

  • worth 25% of your overall GCSE qualification, one task split into two questions
  • question 1 is worth 15 marks and question 2 is worth 35 marks
  • aim to write approximately 2000 words in total
  • Most of the work involved is done in class time, a mixture of class teaching, independent working and working with others.
  • Attendance in class, especially for parts [c] and [d] are crucial.
  • There are 4 stages to each question– the timings given are maximum and though you may not need it all:

Part (a) Introduction to the Investigative Study (led by your teacher)

Q1 – 2 periods

Q2 – 3 periods

Part (b) Independent research (independent and group research) - teacher may assist

Q1 – 3 periods

Q2 – 5 periods

Part (c) Preparation for writing (independent working) – no assistance/working alone

Q1 – 2 periods

Q2 – 5 periods

Part (d) Formal write-up of answers (independent working) 3 hours – examination style supervision

Q1 – 1.5 periods

Q2 – 2.5 periods

2013/14 History Qs:

  1. Explain the reasons why the USA declared war on Japan in December 1941

2.Source A claims that ‘the atomic bomb was used to intimidate the Soviet Union’.

Using all the evidence you have studied (including representations and interpretations), how far would you agree with this interpretation that the USA used the atomic bomb against Japan to intimidate the Soviet Union.

GCSE Home Economics

  • Worth 60% of your overall GCSE qualification, there are two tasks to complete one in Year 11 and one in Year 12.

Name of Task / Marks Available / Word count / Timescale
Year 11(Internal Assessment)
Title TBC
Format:
One controlled assessment task:
  • justification of choice
  • planning activity
  • organising & management
  • practical exam (skills & final outcomes)
  • evaluation activity
  • presentation of report
/ 40% of GCSE
(100 marks) / 2750 words / It is anticipated that Controlled Assessment for Year 11 will start in February and continue through until June 2014.
Year 12(Internal Assessment)
Title TBC
Format:
One controlled assessment task:
  • identification of issues
  • research-based activity
  • primary investigation
  • conclusions + evaluation
/ 20% of GCSE
(60 marks) / 3000 words / It is anticipated that Controlled Assessment for Year 12 will start in February and continue into April 2014.

Most of the work involved will be completed during class time, amixture of class teaching, independent working and working with others.

Your attendance in class is essential.

You will be provided with detailed guidance and support resources throughout each stage of the process.

Controlled Assessment clinic (after school /or/ lunch) will run during this process.

A word count must be detailed at the end of each task. All tasks must be within 10% tolerance of the word limit or the top mark band / grade cannot be achieved.

GCSE ICT

Controlled Assessment in this subject accounts for 60% of the final grade awarded. Assessment will begin in September of Year 11 and will finish at the end of March in Year 12. There are 5 tasks in total with 3 being completed in Year 11 and 2 in Year 12. Year 11 tasks relate to Microsoft Office applications - Access, Excel and PowerPoint. Year 12 tasks relate to the design of a game and creating a website.

In Year 11 Task 1 will be completed during September - November. Task 2 will be completed during November – January. Task 3 will be completed during February and March. In Year 12 both tasks will be completed by the end of March. All tasks have to be computer in school but practice can be completed at home.

GCSE Modern Languages

General guidance is this:

For the Speaking task, pupils must learn a 4-6 minute conversation in French/Spanish (this will involve a dedicated amount of independent study time at home in addition to 3-4 hours preparation time in class)

For the Writing task, pupils must learn to reproduce 200-300 words of French/Spanish in 1 hour on the prescribed topic, with only the aid of a 40 word help sheet and dictionary. (They will have had 5-6 hours preparation time, in class and at home)

GCSE MUSIC

Students must create two contrasting compositions. One of these must be related to the core (Repeated Patterns in Music) or one of the optional areas of study (Vocal Music and Incidental Music). Both compositions together should last between 3–6 minutes.

The composing and appraising element of the course is worth 30% and will be completed in a controlled environment during class time. Students must complete a composition log outlining the composition process as they go along. This will be verified by the class teacher on three occasions. The log is an essential part of the controlled assessment task but its content will not be marked. Its purpose is to verify that the work is the candidate’s own.

Dates of controlled assessment will be given to students in advance and this should take priority over any other activity.

GCSE PHYSICS

There are two opportunities for controlled assessment in Physics. The first piece will be completed it class in November Y12. Depending on the results of this piece of work, pupils may be advised to complete a second piece of controlled assessment in March Y12. The controlled assessment is worth 25% of this GCSE.