Sixth Form Advisory Evening 9 March 2016

Our purpose

1) Structure of A Levels

2) Grade boundaries

3) Technique

4) Strategies

5) Post-examination services

1) Structure of A Levels OLD

Year 12 AS

•50%

Year 13

•50%

Unit structure OLD

Year 12 AS

•2 or 3 units/modules

Year 13

• 2 or 3 units/modules

Retake opportunities: Year 13 OLD

Year 13

•Summer 2017

Retake opportunities: Year 12 OLD

Year 12

•Summer 2017

Year 13

• Summer 2018

Year 12 Outcomes

Be aware…new A Levels

Business

Economics

Art and Design

Computer Science

English Literature

English Language

History

Sociology

Sciences

Psychology

AS 50 per cent A2 50 per cent

AS 100 per cent A Level 100 per cent

2) Full A Level: UMS Boundaries

4 UNIT 6 UNIT

A 320 A 480

B 280 B 420

C 240 C 360

D 200 D 300

E 160 E 240

AS Level

2 UNIT 3 UNIT

A 160 A 240

B 140 B 210

C 120 C 180

D 100 D 150

E 80 12050 per cent of A Level

Within a subject…

UMS A B C D E

Unit

1

80 64 56 48 40 32

Unit

2

120 96 84 72 60 48

Unit

3

80 64 56 48 40 32

Unit

4

120 96 84 72 60 48

Raw to UMS

50 per cent of A Level

Raw UMS

A 61 96

B 56 84

C 51 72

D 46 60

E 42 48

Raw mark conversion

Conversions

http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/about-results/uniform-mark-scale/convert-marks-to-ums

http://www.ocr.org.uk/ocr-for/exams-officers/results/results-statistics/

https://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/results/Pages/Convert-your-marks.aspx

Examiners’ report

New AS Level

Should I retake?

Unit 1

80 UMS

Unit 2

120

UMS

Total

UMS

% unit 1

And UMS

Available

% unit 1

And UMS

Available

Resit

42 99 141 = B 53%

38 UMS

83%

21 UMS

Unit 1

Typical Responses

Type A

• Retake underperformance

or borderline

• Structured revision

• Retake strategy

• Achieve target +

• Achieve first/ insurance

choice

Type B

• Retake most modules

• Fail to devise and follow

strategy

• Achieve similar grades

• Miss first and second choice

• Clearing

Additional Factors

• Overall workload

• Other commitments

• Level of preparation

• Skill development over time

• Total number of exams

• Timings of retakes

3) The importance of technique

1. Download paper copies of past papers say three at a

time and then do not go back to the website.

2. Try extremely hard to attempt each question. Taking

time to review current understanding and if necessary

using a textbook or revision notes to help.

3. If you are still stuck use a friend to support you.

Once you have produced a solution or in desperation

looked it up on the net then go to 2/3 others papers

and find a similar question to try.

4. Keep going on with this process until a weakness

turns into a strength.

4) General Strategies

• Perseverance• Performance not fixed• Communicating with teachers• Action plan• Increase engagement• Responding to feedback

Practical Strategies

• Persist with feedback• Increase independent study• Attend revision classes• Complete past papers• Complete summary technique for each unit• Complete additional reading• Work with SSM• Seek progression guidance

Parents

• Patience• Encourage to see performance as not fixed• Encourage to look at examination papers• Encourage reading as depth is needed at A

Level• Encourage 2 hours independent study per

day• Encourage active revision• Keep SSM informed

School Action

Study Leave

Year 12

Friday 13 May

Year 13

Friday 27 May

5) Post- examination services

• Photocopy scripts• Clerical check• Remark

In school…

• Clearing and adjustment Year 13• Coursing Year 12

Further help…

• Student Support Manager

Dr James: pej@harrogategrammar.co.uk

Mrs Atherton: hja@harrogategrammar.co.uk

01423 535235