AS/A Level GCEArt and Design Suite - H160 H560

This specification has reduced from six units to four. There is now a coursework unit and an examined unit at AS and A2 level. The starting point(s) for the coursework units are still to be determined by the centres and the examined units run from an early release question paper (issued based on provisional entries for these units).

The qualification still offers choice and flexibility. Centres can use it to work to both their and their candidates strengths.

Question papers - There are now five sections in each of the question papers with more choice available and images are also used. The question papers for AS and A2 will now be different and they will be available to all endorsements. This means that for Critical & Contextual Studies there will no longer be two separate and different question papers.

The assessment criteria is out of 100 and covers four assessment objectives. The two AS units share the same assessment criteria and the two A2 units same the same assessment criteria.

There is differing emphasis on certain assessment objectives at AS and A2.

All units are to be internally marked by the centre and then moderated by an OCR visiting moderator - the same process as currently happens. The moderation process will still be done by unit and by endorsement.

The new specification will only have one assessment session - this will be the Summer/June session - the January session will not be available for assessment purposes.

Yes the same endorsements are offered - however Graphic Design is know Graphic Communication and Textiles is know called Textile Design. Candidates are free to choose an unendorsed or an endorsed route and they are able to take more than one Art and Design GCE course. Some of the specialisms available for endorsements have been changed to fit QCA requirements and take into account developments within the subject.

Training - OCR offers a full range of INSET courses for both new and experienced teachers. There will be specific INSET available dealing with this new specification.

Resources - Exemplar work for all elements of the specification will be provided.

Website - View the Art and Design qualification section on the OCR website which has links for each endorsement and the Art and Design e-community members website.

Sample Assessment Material - Specimen question papers for the AS and A2 examined units will be available.

Teacher Guidance - A detailed teacher's guide will be produced and updated annually.

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

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.

Schemes of work and lesson plans can be downloaded for each qualifcation. The materials are available in PDF format, and  Word format. Teachers can adapt the materials for their own use.

Yes, the A* grade is calculated arithmetically based on the units used for aggregation, irrespective of whether or not they are re-sits.