An overview of the changes to GCE biology in England Dr Katherine Hands-Taylor OCR A Level Science Subject Specialist

Contents General changes to the biology AS and A Levels Biology content changes Assessment Objectives The Practical Endorsement

What changes, AS level… Old New Modular - but exams in June only Linear – papers are not units rather components Content is first half of A level Content is half the A level AS grades count towards A level score AS does not count towards A level Approx. 2 h 45 min examination time, no minimum Minimum 3 h examination time Coursework 100% external assessment (15% practical weighting) No maximum number of papers Maximum of two papers QWC Extended responses No maths weighting Maths weighting introduced, 10% Level 2 and above Grades A-E, UMS Grades A-E, total raw marks Standard unchanged from now. Content broadly the same, minimal changes to criteria.

What changes, A level… Old New Modular - but exams in June only Linear – papers are not units rather components Content is first half of A level Content is half the A level AS grades count towards A level AS does not count towards A level Approx. 5 h 45 min examination time, A2 maximum Minimum 6 h examination time Coursework - 6 activities No practical weighting for papers Endorsement – min. 12 activities 15% practical weighting for papers No maximum, generally 4 papers Maximum of 3 exam papers QWC Extended responses No maths weighting 10% maths weighting, Level 2 and above Grades A*-E, UMS Grades A*-E, total raw marks Standard unchanged from now (but A*). Content broadly the same, minimal changes to criteria.

Assessment overview Paper 1 ~2 h Paper 2 ~2 h Endorsement Paper 1 70 marks Paper 2 ~1 h 30 70 marks Marks available, Paper 3 ~2 h Old AS Level 200 New OCR 140 Old A Level 400 New OCR 270 Comparable outcomes - in general across all students, it is no harder or easier to get an A this year. The standard is being maintained year to year, board to board.

Contents General changes to the biology AS and A Levels Biology content changes Assessment Objectives The Practical Endorsement

Biology content changes divided into 8 sections (4 AS and A Level, 4 A Level only) 60% prescribed Topics moved to AS level Protein synthesis Meiosis ATP structure Practical Skills list 15% Planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation Practical Endorsement Mathematical skills list 28 skills to cover, split into 5 categories 10% at Level 2 or above DfE document link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gce-as-and-a-level-for-science

Level 2 Maths Level 2 (or higher) mathematics: application and understanding requiring choice of data or equation to be used problem solving involving use of mathematics from different areas of maths and decisions about direction to proceed questions involving use of A level mathematical content (as of 2012), e.g. use of logarithmic equations. The following will not be counted as Level 2 mathematics: simple substitution with little choice of equation or data structured question formats using GCSE mathematics (based on 2012 GCSE mathematics content).

Contents General changes to the biology AS and A Levels Biology content changes Assessment Objectives The Practical Endorsement

Assessment Objectives - wording AO1 Recognise, recall, show understanding; select, organise, communicate information AO2 Analyse and evaluate Apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations Assess information AO3 Demonstrate practical, make observations, evaluate methodology Old AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ideas, processes, techniques and procedures AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding (theory, practical, qualitative and quantitative data) AO3 Analyse, interpret and evaluate information, make judgements, develop and refine practical New

Assessment Objectives - weightings AS Levels AO1 AO2 AO3 Old 38 40 22 New 35-40 40-44 20-23 A Level AO1 AO2 AO3 Old 34 44 22 New 31-34 40-43 25-28 Less recall Practical contexts More new information contexts in which to apply knowledge / understanding data / information to evaluate / interpret

Contents General changes to the biology AS and A Levels Biology content changes Assessment Objectives The Practical Endorsement

The Practical Endorsement Skills assessed directly (5b) Core ‘techniques’ (5c) Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) Skills assessed indirectly (5a) Min. 15% Minimum 12 practical activities A Level (A*–U) Endorsement (Pass/Unclassfied) To pass, a student must have demonstrated the appropriate skills and techniques for the subject and met the assessment criteria, having completed a minimum of twelve practical activities.

The Practical Endorsement Across all Exam Boards the following features of the Practical Endorsement are common, it: covers a specified list of skills and techniques is not part of the AS Level will appear on certificates as a separate grade, e.g. Biology, A* (Endorsement, Pass) will be reported as pass or unclassified requires a minimum of 12 assessed practical activities requires students to keep appropriate records of their assessed practical activities is teacher assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria, CPAC is quality assured by visiting monitoring

Thank you any questions? ocr.org.uk/alevelbiologya ocr.org.uk/alevelbiologyb