OCR’s new GCE specifications in the sciences

Now A/AS Biology A/AS Human Biology A/AS Chemistry A/AS Chemistry (Salters) A/AS Physics A/AS Advancing Physics A/AS Geology A/AS Science From 2008 A/AS Biology A/AS Human Biology A/AS Chemistry A/AS Chemistry (Salters) A/AS Physics A/AS Advancing Physics A/AS Geology AS Science

Timeline 2006 – February 2007Development of specification and specimen assessment materials (SAMs) March 2007Submission of draft materials to QCA Draft specifications available on OCR website September 2007Final approved specifications and SAMs published September 2008First teaching

New QCA subject criteria Six units –four externally assessed, two internally assessed No multi-component Units Internal assessment of practical skills Revised ‘core’ knowledge and understanding Stretch and Challenge How Science Works

Development aims Updated content Progression from any new GCSE specification Progression to HE AS and A level as valid standalone qualifications Improved practical skills assessment Provide continuity for users of current specifications

Key Changes Removal of options and components New schemes for practical skills assessment How Science Works Stretch and Challenge

Specification Structure Unit 1 Written Paper Unit 2 Written Paper Unit 3 Internal Assessment = AS Unit 4 Written Paper Unit 5 Written Paper Unit 6 Internal Assessment = A2

Question papers All available in January and June Units 1 and 4 weighted at 15% opportunity to teach in term one and sit in January

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology AS UnitsTimeWeight 1 QP – range of structured questions1h15% 2 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h 45m25% 3 Completion of tasks set by OCR, marked by teachers using specific OCR mark schemes -10% A2 Units 4 QP – range of structured questions1h15% 5 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h 45m25% 6 Completion of tasks set by OCR, marked by teachers using specific OCR mark schemes -10%

Science (AS only) AS UnitsTimeWeight 1 QP – range of structured questions1h30% 2 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h 45m50% 3 Completion of tasks set by OCR, marked by teachers using specific OCR mark schemes -20%

Human Biology AS UnitsTimeWeight 1 QP – range of structured questions1h15% 2 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing, one section based on advance notice material 1h 45m25% 3 Completion of tasks set by OCR, marked by teachers using specific OCR mark schemes -10% A2 Units 4 QP – range of structured questions1h15% 5 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h 45m25% 6 Completion of a single extended investigation, marked by teachers using OCR criteria -10%

Salters Chemistry AS UnitsTimeWeight 1 QP – range of structured questions1h 15m15% 2 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing, one section based on advance notice material 1h 45m25% 3 Completion of tasks set by OCR, marked by teachers using specific OCR mark schemes -10% A2 Units 4 QP – range of structured questions1h 30m15% 5 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 2h20% 6 Completion of a single extended investigation, marked by teachers using OCR criteria -15%

Advancing Physics AS UnitsTimeWeight 1 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h15% 2 QP – range of questions, including extended writing, one section based on advance notice material 1h 45m25% 3 Completion of tasks: Quality of Measurement and Physics in Use, marked by teachers using criteria -10% A2 Units 4 QP – range of structured questions, including extended writing 1h 15m15% 5 QP – range of questions, including extended writing, one section based on pre-released material 2h25% 6 Completion of a Practical Investigation and a Research Briefing, marked by teachers using OCR criteria -10%

Internal Assessment A QCA requirement OCR’s agenda… reduce the assessment burden for students and teachers ‘controlled assessment’ more practical work provide choice ‘part of the course’ not ‘bolted on’ support formative assessment

Internal Assessment In Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Science, AS Human Biology, AS Salters Chemistry OCR set tasks available for download with mark schemes two or three task categories in each of AS and A2, with several alternative tasks in each category appropriate to each subject delivered as part of the course short, with evidence generated under controlled conditions

Internal Assessment can be used to develop skills and for formative assessment marked by teachers, using task-specific (non- hierarchical) mark schemes supplied by OCR one mark from each task category to be submitted –best mark counts moderated by post

Internal Assessment In Chemistry (Salters), Advancing Physics, Human Biology Extended investigations Generic mark criteria, specific to each course Postal moderation Centre accreditation

Resources From OCR and Heinemann Printed, electronic and online INSET

What next? Final specifications are now available on the OCR website Trialling of practical tasks from September 2007 Schemes of work, lesson plans and candidate exemplar work to follow Science Learning Centre North West – Awarding Body Panel. Thursday 22 November. Contact Debbie Leyland. Tel:

Contact Details Website: Customer Contact Centre: Tel Regional Contacts: Peter Rothwell. Mobile: Correen Thornton. Mobile: