AS/A Level GCE (for first teaching in 2008) Computing - H047 H447

FAQs

Please find below the most frequently asked questions for this qualification. If you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere on the website please contact the OCR Customer Contact Centre.

Your regional Customer Support Manager is on hand to provide continued support, advice and guidance on what is happening with A Levels from an OCR prospective. This can include, an overview of our assessment approach or signposting to support and training to help you progress with our new A levels. To arrange a support call or visit, please email 14-19alevels@ocr.org.uk.

A. This specification will essentially remain the same apart from the changes stipulated by QCA. We have taken the opportunity to modernise the specification and have developed a Unit 3 which addresses the stretch and challenge components. Generally the specifically ICT content has been removed and the Computing content enhanced by including more algorithms and programming. The amount of coursework is now set at 20% and covers one out of the four units.

A. The amount of coursework has decreased to 20% and covers one out of the four units. There is no longer any coursework at AS level.

A. Currently there are no plans to assess these papers online but there is a high chance that they will be marked online.

A. Currently there are no plans to allow electronic submissions. It may be possible to submit evidence of the program working electronically (in a suitable form). However the report should be paper-based.
OCR is developing support materials for the coursework unit, including schemes of work to enable centres to deliver this unit effectively.

A. The AS units will be examined for the first time in January 2009 and the A2 units in January 2010.

A. Yes. In response to centre demand, OCR will be publishing past papers for live specifications on the OCR website. These will be free of charge. Question papers from the June 2008 series will be available to download from OCR Interchange only. Further details are available from OCR Interchange.

A. OCR is working in partnership with individual publishers for different subject groups. Comprehensive resources are being developed by these Publishing Partners and others to support the specification and complement the support available from OCR. For details of our partners view the support page.

A. Schemes of work and lesson plans can be downloaded from the OCR website. The materials are available in fixed PDF format, for reference purposes, and also in Word format, so that teachers can adapt the materials for their own use.