GCSE (for first teaching in 2009) Media Studies - J526

Structure

• Externally assessed units have been reduced from two to one (examination time has been reduced from 3 hours 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes) – weighting is now 40%
• There are now two controlled assessment units to replace the one coursework unit – weighting has increased from 50% to 60%
• Tiering elements have now been removed
• 60% can be completed before the end of the course (40% at the end of the course). This is a unitised qualification

• The structure of the external assessment remains the same – learners still go through a similar process of reading or watching an extract.

Content

• The cross-media topics unit has been removed following customer feedback and market research
• The textual analysis unit now has two parts:
  • A: action adventure films or lifestyle magazines
  • B: media topics, including either TV/radio comedy.

• The process of pre-production, production and evaluation is still integral. This features in the controlled assessment units.
• Textual analysis remains as the externally assessed unit.
• Within the textual analysis unit there is still a choice between Moving Image or Print.
• There is still a choice of media briefs
• Learners will still study at least three forms of media.

Assessment

• Controlled assessment can be submitted electronically or by post
• The evaluation component of controlled assessment can be presented electronically (e.g. podcast) or by the traditional written route
• You can enter learners for Unit B322/B323 in either January or June. The controlled assessment units are available for the June session.

• Centre assessment of controlled assessment units
• One controlled assessment unit must be completed individually, with a group option available for the other controlled assessment unit.