COURSE DESCRIPTION - GCSE ICT

Course Specification

This specification is for a full GCSE in Information & Communication Technology, Edexcel code 1185. The course is offered at Foundation Tier which makes available grades C to G and Higher Tier which makes available grades A* to D.

Course Overview & Content

The course is designed to have a strong practical element which is demonstrated by the heavy weighting towards coursework. The content of the course is a mix of practical skills in applications software, including word processing, databases & spreadsheets, and theory on a range of topics including:

  • How computers work;
  • Systems analysis;
  • Data logging and control systems;
  • Models and simulations;
  • Networks;
  • ICT and society;
  • Communication and the Internet.

The full specification is available from the Edexcel website:
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/17261.pdf

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete four coursework tasks, each contributing 15% of the final assessment marks. The four projects will be based on the following applications software:

  • Databases;
  • Spreadsheets;
  • Word processing;
  • Multimedia.

For each task students will take on the role of a systems analyst to solve a problem of their choice. Students will be required to identify the problem, analyse the situation, design and implement a solution and evaluate the solution against a set of objectives.

Examination Procedures

Students will sit a two-hour exam at the end of the course which completes the remaining 40% of the final assessment marks. The exam is split into three sections as follows:
Section A:     Multiple-choice questions;
Section B:     Structured questions based on an annually pre-released case study;
Section C:     Structured questions.
Students should attempt to answer ALL questions.
The case study on which Section B questions are based will be introduced to students prior to revision and exam preparation lessons towards the end of the coursework.  However, the case study for those students taking the exam in summer 2009 will be available from the Edexcel website:
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/ict/gcse/1185/ when it is released.

Short Course GCSE Option

There is an option to alter the entry to the short course GCSE (1/2 GCSE) in Information & Communication Technology, Edexcel code 3185. This course is offered at Foundation Tier which makes available grades C to G and Higher Tier which makes available grades A* to D.
The short course GCSE option is ideal for those students who struggle to complete the full course coursework elements as only half the coursework is required for entry to this examination. The two coursework projects required must have either a Database or a Spreadsheet element to them. Please do ask for advice if you are in any doubt.
The examination is comprised of one paper in addition to the coursework. Candidates are asked to respond to multiple choice questions and structured questions only.
We generally advise the short course entry if students fail to complete all their coursework in time for full course entry.
The full specification can be found on the Edexcel website at: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/49906/shortcourse_specification.pdf