AS/A Level GCEBiology - H021 H421
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.
FAQs - Biology - Tasks
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Who do I contact if I have a query relating to a practical task or task mark scheme?
Please email GCESciencetasks@ocr.org.uk Your queries will then be forwarded on to the Principal Moderator for clarification.
How do I register to receive e-alerts relating to updates with the practical tasks?
Please email GCESciencetasks@ocr.org.uk, stating the subject(s) you would like to receive information about, your full name, centre number, centre name and email address.
When will the new practical tasks be available on Interchange?
Both AS and A2 tasks will be available from 1 June 2009. These will be for assessment between 1 June 2009 to 14 May 2010. Mark schemes will be available from 1 September 2009. This availability will be repeated in future years.
With the quantitative task, can I submit part one and part two from different tasks?
No, these must be from the same quantitative task.
What can I use as a mock task?
You must not use previous tasks for mock examinations from the previous year as these may be used for future assessments. View specimen assessment materials (tasks).
FAQs - Biology - Submission of coursework (tasks)
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When is the deadline for submitting coursework marks for the practical tasks?
The coursework submission deadline is 15 May each year.
What coursework marks do I need to submit?
You will be required to submit the candidates' best mark out of 40, i.e. the combination of best marks from each task in each category (qualitative, quantitative and evaluative).
How do I submit my coursework marks?
Coursework marks can be submitted electronically [by EDI or via Interchange (there is a user guide called 'Coursework Marks' in the Training and Support section of Interchange which provides additional guidance)] or on an OCR computer mark sheet (MS1 – provided by OCR at the same time as address labels for the Moderator).
Will I need to contact the Moderator?
No. Once your marks have been received, OCR will contact your centre requesting a sample of work. If there are ten or fewer candidates at the centre, all work submitted should be sent to the Moderator to arrive by 15 May.
What paperwork do I need to submit with the tasks?
When sending work to the Moderator, you should supply:
- Requested samples
- Teacher/technician trial results (where applicable)
- The centre authentication form CCS160
- Details of any correspondence with OCR
- If the marks spreadsheet (from Interchange) is used it would be helpful if this was also sent to the Moderator.
FAQs - Biology - Training
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Where can I find details regarding future INSET events for GCE Sciences?
Please view the Science training programme or EventBooker, an online training service which enables you to search for and book training events.
FAQs - Biology - Recruitment
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How do I apply to become a new examiner and/or moderator for the GCE Sciences?
View the Assessor section of the site to find out latest opportunities and information on how to become and examiner and/or moderator.
Please complete an assessor application form and return to SeniorRecruitment@ocr.org.uk. In order to process you application accurately, please specify which unit(s) you would be interested in examining/moderating.
FAQs - Biology - Support Material
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Where can I obtain the new specification past examination papers and mark schemes?
The last session examination papers and mark schemes are available to download from Interchange. Within Interchange, select the left-hand blue box ("Interchange for GCE and Applied GCE"). Then, select the "subject specific" option from the purple menu on the left-hand side. Once selected, this will reveal a sub-option for "Past Papers".
Please note that you will only see these menu options if you have a Centre Administrator or read only (VQ) Interchange role. Please liaise with the Examinations Officer at your Centre, who will be able to download the appropriate past for you, or assign a login so you can download them yourself.
Will the past new specification mark schemes be available on the public website?
After the June 2009 session, the January 2009 mark schemes will be placed under a new heading called “Mark schemes” on the Biology all documents page.
Where and when can I find the grade boundaries for the AS new specification units?
New grade boundaries are set each year. These will not be available until August 2009 following awarding. These are available at the back of the mark scheme booklets published after each session.
General FAQs
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Will OCR make past papers available?
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.
What support can we expect from publishers?
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.
What Support Materials are being produced by OCR for the revised GCEs?
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.
Can a candidate be awarded an A* grade if they re-sat one or more of their units?
Yes, the A* grade is calculated arithmetically based on the units used for aggregation, irrespective of whether or not they are re-sits.
Ask a question
Do you have a question that is not covered here and needs subject specialist knowledge? If so please get in touch with our Customer Contact Centre.
