1. Edexcel GCSE ICT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Unit 1 – Living in the Digital World Exam: 40%
In this unit you will explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society.
Unit 2 – Using Digital Tools Coursework: 60 % In this unit you will broaden and enhance your ICT skills and capability. You will work with a range of digital tools and techniques to produce effective ICT solutions in a range of contexts.

4. Topics:
Personal Digital Devices (Mobile phones, PCs, Tablets, Cameras, Camcorders, Media players, Games consoles, Home entertainment systems, Satellite navigation) Features, connectivity, applications, uses
Connectivity (Network, Network security, Bandwidth, Latency, Wi-Fi, Mobile broadband, 3G/4G, Peer-to-peer networks, Communication protocols, Security risks, wired, wire-less, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct). Benefits, draw backs, security, speed, etc.
Operating online (The internet, Internet use, Personal paces, Information misuse, Legislation, Copyright, Safety, Risks)
Online good and services (Online shopping, Online auctions, Online education, Online news, Online banking, Gaming and entertainment, Internet advertising, Payment systems, Consumer protection, Applications software, Storage, Search engines)
Online Communities (Workspaces and VLEs, Social networks, forums, blogs, User-generated reference sites, Socialising and responsible use)
Issues (Security, Privacy, Monitoring of movement and communications, Health and safety, Legislation relating to the use of ICT, Unequal access to ICT, Safe and responsible access)

5. Exam Question Structures:
The questions will take different forms:
Multiple choice – single mark questions
Simple answers – information recall – often single mark questions
Descriptions – Explaining the feature / term – worth 2 + marks
Justified answers – longer written answers giving information and then justification for your answers – can be worth 6 + marks
All questions will need to be answered – remember time management. If you are running out of time, some key words or phrases on the longer answer questions could still gain you marks.

6. Short answers will ask you to:
Name
State
Identify
Select
They will usually be worth 1or 2 marks.
Example Question:
The Questions asks for two reasons. To get 2 marks, two completely different reasons must be given.

7. Open response questions range from more open-ended short answer questions that will ask you to:
Describe
Explain
Justify
Discuss
They will require a more detailed explanation. They should be answered in sentences not bullet points.
Example Question:
In this case, the two marks are given for showing links between the security measure you are describing and how it prevents unauthorised access to the database e.g. Encrypt the data (1 mark) so it cannot be read (1 mark)

8. Extended Questions – higher marks questions (usually 6 marks) where an organised, well thought out questions is required. These questions require careful planning. Quality of written communication is also assessed. It is important that:
Writing is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate so that the meaning is clear
The appropriate form and style of writing is chosen
Information is organised clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Example Question:
It is important to look at the question and see what it is actually asking. Look at the command words (make a reasoned argument to support)

9. Command Verbs: It is important to understand what the question is asking.