Key Skills

Centres registering an interest in AQA's 'main' and 'wider' Key Skills specifications will be issued with the Key Skills Directory of Information free-of-charge.

This Directory provides comprehensive guidance on issues such as the specification(s), entry procedures, internal and external assessment and additional support provided by AQA. It is not exhaustive and AQA will issue centres with additional support materials as published.

The Key Skills Directory contains:

• Main Key Skills Specification
• Wider Key Skills Specification
• Key Skills Assessment Timetable, 2001
• Students' Guide, Autumn 2000
• Status of the QCA Guidance document
• AQA Administrative Procedures for January 2001 and subsequent Unit assessments
• AQA Log Books
• AQA Witness statements
• Specimen Test Papers and Mark Schemes (Main Key Skills, Levels 1 to 3)
• AQA programme of support meetings for teachers, September to December 2000
• Possible delivery models for Key Skills
• Approaches to initial assessment
• Key Skills Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

The following documents will be issued to centres as a reference booklet, and as a loose-leaf copy to facilitate bulk copying for the benefit of students:

• Guide to Test Papers at Levels 1 to 4, September 2000
• Key Skills Command Words, September 2000

AQA has sent two CD-ROMS free-of-charge to centres.

The CD-ROMS are intended to will facilitate the mapping, tracking and recording of Key Skills within AS/A/AVCE and GCSE.

CD-ROM ONE

• An introduction to the Key Skills Units
• Units for all 6 Key Skills at Levels 1 to 4
• AS/A signposting
• Possible delivery models
• Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
• Information regarding the support offered by AQA
• Useful contact points

CD-ROM TWO

This disk is interactive. Centres can input candidate information, update this to show what has been achieved and print out an action plan. It contains:

• AVCE and GCSE signposting
• Tracking facilities to monitor Key Skills performance, including Log Books, Witness Statements, etc
• Security system for controlled access
• Snapshot facility of candidate progress
• Print function
• Top tips on preparing for Key Skills
• Guidance from AS/A Teacher Guides
• Useful contact points

Additional copies are available from AQA's Publications Department.