Autumn 2020 arrangements for GCSE and AS and A Level qualifications
31 July 2020
Although there will be no non-exam assessment (NEA) for most GCSEs and AS and A Levels for candidates entering in the autumn 2020 series, we can clarify arrangements for:
- qualifications that have had NEA removed for autumn 2020
- qualifications that do not normally have NEA but where candidates might usually undertake some form of practical activity or endorsement
- those qualifications that have retained NEA for autumn 2020
- qualifications that have pre-release materials.
For all other general qualifications not mentioned below there will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Please note that the details below apply to GCSE and AS and A Level assessments taken in the autumn 2020 series only.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998.
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Art and Design
GCSE Art and Design (9-1) J170–J176
Candidates will not take the NEA component 01: Portfolio.
Candidates will only take the NEA component 02: Externally set task.
Candidates need to complete the externally set task for component 02 in the usual way for a standard exam series; providing a body of supporting work and outcomes facilitated during the supervised time.
Component 02 will be marked by OCR. This is a change to the normal process where component 02 would be marked by the centre and then moderated by OCR. Work can be submitted in either physical or digital format.
We will not be using the externally set task from the June 2020 series. We will let you know when the task will be released.
A Level Art and Design H600–H606
Candidates will not take the NEA component 01: Personal investigation.
Candidates will only take the NEA component 02: Externally set task.
Candidates need to complete the externally set task for component 02 in the usual way for a standard exam series; providing a body of supporting work and outcomes facilitated during the supervised time.
Component 02 will be marked by OCR. This is a change to the normal process where component 02 would be marked by the centre and then moderated by OCR. Work can be submitted in either physical or digital format.
We will not be using the externally set task from the June 2020 series. We will let you know when the task will be released.
AS Level Art and Design H200–H206
Candidates will continue to take NEA component 01: Externally set task.
Candidates need to complete the externally set task for component 01 in the usual way for a standard exam series; providing a body of supporting work and outcomes facilitated during the supervised time. Component 01 will be marked by OCR. This is a change to the normal process where component 01 would be marked by the centre and then moderated by OCR. Work can be submitted in either physical or digital format.
We will not be using the externally set task from the June 2020 series. We will let you know when the task will be released.
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Citizenship Studies
GCSE Citizenship Studies (9-1) J270
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates are reminded that ‘Section 4: Citizenship action’ remains a requirement of the specification.
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Computer Science
GCSE Computer Science (9-1) J276
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Computer systems
- 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
Candidates will not be required to complete a new Programming Project.
A Level Computer Science H446
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03: Programming project.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Computer systems
- 02: Algorithms and programming
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Design and Technology
GCSE Design and Technology (9-1) J310
Candidates will not take the NEA component 02/03: Iterative design challenge.
Candidates will take component 01: Principles of design and technology.
Although the NEA component 02/03 is not included in the autumn 2020 series, some questions in component 01 may require candidates to draw on their knowledge and understanding of ‘design and making principles’ from the NEA component 02/03.
A Level Design and Technology H404–H406
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03/04: Iterative design project.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Principles
- 02: Problem solving
Although the NEA component 03/04 is not included in the autumn 2020 series, some questions in the external assessment may require candidates to draw on their knowledge and understanding of ‘design and making principles’ from the NEA.
AS Level Design and Technology H004–H006
Candidates will not take the NEA component 02/03: Product development.
Candidates will take the component 01: Principles.
Although the NEA component 02/03 is not included in the autumn 2020 series, some questions in the external assessment may require candidates to draw on their knowledge and understanding of ‘design and making principles’ from the NEA.
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Drama
GCSE Drama (9-1) J316
Candidates will not take the NEA components:
- 01/02: Devising drama
- 03: Presenting and performing texts
Candidates will take component 04: Drama: Performance and response.
The assessment of component 04 will still require candidates to analyse and evaluate a live performance in Section B.
A Level Drama and Theatre H459
Candidates will not take the NEA components:
- 11/12 or 13/14: Practitioners in practice
- 21/22: Exploring and performing texts
Candidates will take components:
- 31: Analysing performance
- 41/42/43/44/45/46/47/47: Deconstructing texts for performance
The assessment of component 31 will still require candidates to analyse and evaluate a live performance in Section B.
AS Level Drama and Theatre H059
Candidates will not take the NEA components 01/02 or 03/04: Process to performance.
Candidates will take component 05: Exploring performance.
The assessment of component 05 will still require candidates to analyse and evaluate a live performance in Section B.
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English Language
GCSE English Language (9-1) J351
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Communicating information and ideas
- 02: Exploring effects and impact
Candidates will be able to carry forward their Spoken language endorsement (component 03 or 04) to the autumn series.
Candidates who had not completed the Spoken language endorsement before schools and colleges closed can do so in the autumn term if their centres are able to accommodate this.
A Level English Language H470
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03: Independent language research.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Exploring language
- 02: Dimensions of linguistic variation
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English Language and Literature
A Level English Language and Literature (EMC) H474
Candidates will not take the NEA component 04: Independent study: analysing and producing texts.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Exploring non-fiction and spoken texts
- 02: The language of poetry and plays
- 03: Reading as a writer, writing as a reader
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English Literature
A Level English Literature H472
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03: Literature post-1900.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Drama and poetry pre-1900
- 02: Comparative and contextual study
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Film Studies
A Level Film Studies H410
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03/04: Making short film.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Film history
- 02: Critical approaches to film
AS Level Film Studies H010
Candidates will not take the NEA component 02/03: Understanding British film.
Candidates will take component 01: Elements of film.
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Food Preparation and Nutrition
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (9-1) J309
Candidates will not take the NEA components 02/03 and 04/05.
Candidates will take component 01: Food preparation and nutrition.
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Geography
GCSE Geography A (Geographical Themes) (9-1) J383
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
It remains the case that 15% of exam marks will target fieldwork content.
GCSE Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds) (9-1) J384
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
It remains the case that 15% of exam marks will target fieldwork content.
A Level Geography H481
Candidates will not take the NEA components 04/05: Investigative geography.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Physical systems
- 02: Human interactions
- 03: Geographical debates
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History
GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) (9-1) J410
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Components 11, 12 and 13: Study of the Historic Environment: a site visit is not expected; it is not necessary to have visited the site to access the full range of marks in the exam.
GCSE History B (Schools History Project) (9-1) J411
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Component 21: History Around Us: a site visit is not expected; it is not necessary to have visited the site to access the full range of marks in the exam.
A Level History A H505
Candidates will not take the NEA component: Topic-based essay (unit Y100).
Candidates will take components:
- British period study and enquiry (unit group 1)
- Non-British period study (unit group 2)
- Thematic study and historical interpretations (unit group 3)
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Maths
A Level Mathematics A H240
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release large data set issued for the June 2020 series.
AS Level Mathematics A H230
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release large data set issued for the June 2020 series.
A Level Mathematics B (MEI) H640
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release large data set (LDS_2) issued for the June 2020 series.
AS Level Mathematics B (MEI) H630
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release large data set (LDS_3) issued for the June 2020 series.
Core Maths A (MEI) Level 3 Certificate H868
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release materials issued for the June 2020 series.
Core Maths B (MEI) Level 3 Certificate H869
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release materials issued for the June 2020 series.
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Media Studies
GCSE Media Studies (9-1) J200
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03/04: Creating media.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Television and promoting media
- 02: Music and news
A Level Media Studies H409
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03/04: Making media.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Media messages
- 02: Evolving media
AS Level Media Studies H009
Candidates will not take the NEA component 02/03 Creating media.
Candidates will take component 01: Media today.
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Music
GCSE Music (9-1) J536
Candidates will not take the NEA components:
- 01 or 02: Integrated portfolio
- 03 or 04: Practical component
Candidates will take component 05: Listening and appraising.
A Level Music H543
Candidates will not take the NEA components:
- 01 or 02: Performing A or Performing B
- 03 or 04: Composing A or Composing B
Candidates will take component 05: Listening and appraising.
AS Level Music H143
Candidates will not take the NEA components:
- 01: Performing
- 02: Compositions
Candidates will take component 03: Listening and appraising.
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Physical Education
GCSE Physical Education (9-1) J587
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03: Performance in physical education.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Physical factors affecting performance
- 02: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology
A Level Physical Education H555
Candidates will not take the NEA component 04: Performance in physical education.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Physiological factors affecting performance
- 02: Psychological factors affecting performance
- 03: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport
AS Level Physical Education H155
Candidates will not take the NEA component 03: Performance in physical issues.
Candidates will take components:
- 01: Physiological factors affecting performance
- 02: Psychological and socio-cultural themes in physical education
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Psychology
AS and A Level Psychology H167, H567
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
The AS (H167/01) and GCE (H567/01) Psychology Research Methods components, will continue to ask candidates for reflections on their own experience of practical work for either a self-report, experiment, observation or correlation.
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Sciences
GCSE Sciences:
Biology A (9-1) – Gateway Science Suite J247
Biology B (9-1) – Twenty First Century Science Suite J257
Chemistry A (9-1) – Gateway Science Suite J248
Chemistry B (9-1) – Twenty First Century Science Suite J258
Physics A (9-1) – Gateway Science Suite J249
Physics B (9-1) – Twenty First Century Science Suite J259
Combined Science A (9-1) – Gateway Science Suite J250
Combined Science B (9-1) – Twenty First Century Science Suite J260
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
There is no requirement for candidates to redo the required number of practical activities. However, candidates should be reminded that at least 15% of the marks in the exams are based on their knowledge and application of the skills covered in the Practical Activity Groups (PAGs).
A Level Sciences:
Biology A H420
Chemistry A H432
Geology H414
Physics A H556
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates will be able to carry forward their practical endorsement result to the autumn 2020 series.
Candidates who received ‘Not Classified’ for the practical endorsement in the June 2020 series could complete additional practical work in the autumn term to achieve a pass if their centres are able to accommodate this.
Candidates should be reminded that at least 15% of the marks in the exams are based on their knowledge and application of the skills covered in the Practical Activity Groups (PAGs).
Biology B (Advancing Biology) H422
Chemistry B (Salters) H433
Physics B (Advancing Physics) H557
There will be no changes to the assessment for autumn 2020.
Candidates should use the pre-release Advance Notice Article issued for the June 2020 series.
Candidates will be able to carry forward their practical endorsement result to the autumn 2020 series.
Candidates who received ‘Not Classified’ for the practical endorsement in the June 2020 series could complete additional practical work in the autumn term to achieve a pass if their centres are able to accommodate this.
Candidates should be reminded that at least 15% of the marks in the exams are based on their knowledge and application of the skills covered in the Practical Activity Groups (PAGs).
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If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998.