A-level Applied Science

A-level Applied Science specification

As previously detailed on this page, please note that the current A-level Applied Science specification will be withdrawn at the end of the summer 2014 series, with a re-sit opportunity for the externally-assessed units in January 2015.

However, it will be replaced with a new specification, for first teaching in September 2013. We are in the process of developing this new specification and aim to have it ready for centres in autumn 2012.

For further information, please email the A-level Applied Science subject team, or telephone 0161 958 3743.

June 2012 Applied Science

General advice

Students should:

• read all instructions on the front cover and at the start of each section of the question paper
• read each question carefully before responding, especially where there are optional question(s)
• remember that questions can appear on all pages of a question paper, including the final page.

Combined question paper answer books

Students should look at the number of marks and the line space allocated to each question and write answers of an appropriate length.

If a student needs more space to answer a question, they must:
either use the white space immediately beneath the lined answer space and before the start of the next question
or ask for an AQA four-page Supplementary answer book.

They should not:

• use the answer space for a different question
• write in the margin
• respond elsewhere in the answer book.

Separate answer books and the two-digit numbering system

Students worked well with the two-digit numbering system and separate answer books in 2011 exams; thank you for ensuring that the guidance was applied successfully. We have updated our guides for students, teachers and exams officers / invigilators to reflect the general advice given above.

A reminder: question paper style and marking answers on screen
Exams with separate question papers and answer books (unconstrained answer books) will use:

• our simplified, two-digit question numbering system
• answer books with spaces for students to write the two-digit question numbers.

For additional guidance see:

• Teacher Guide (revised)
• Exams officer and invigilator Guide (revised)
• Student Guide (revised)
• Question papers and mark schemes:
  • Summer 2011 materials are available to schools / colleges in the Secure Key Materials area of e-AQA
  • Specimen materials are available from the subject pages of aqa.org.uk
• Examples of students' work:
  • Good practice
  • Areas for improvement
• AQA Research team papers: Marking answers on screen
  • Reliability of on-screen marking of essays
  • A concurrent approach to estimating the reliability of electronic marking of long form answers
  • Using the Think Aloud Method to investigate electronic marking of long form answers
  • The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2006/2007
  • The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2005/2006
  New AQA Numbering System
  • Nested Numbering

  Archive

  • Exams Officer questionnaire feedback
  • Exams Officer questionnaire

Withdrawal of Applied A-levels

Further to previous messages, we have reviewed the take-up of Applied A-levels, and due to the falling demand from schools and colleges, we are withdrawing the following double awards at the end of the summer 2012 exam series:

• Travel and Tourism (Double Award) (8653) Advanced Subsidiary
• Travel and Tourism (8657) Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary (additional)
• Travel and Tourism (Double Award) (8659) Advanced
• Leisure Studies (Double Award) (8643) Advanced Subsidiary
• Leisure Studies (8647) Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary (additional)
• Leisure Studies (Double Award) (8649) Advanced

These double award units and certification will be available for the last time in summer 2012.The single award units and certification will continue to be offered beyond summer 2012.

We intend to replace Applied Business and Health and Social Care with amended and updated specifications for first teaching in September 2012 and a new specification for Applied Science for first teaching in September 2013. We are investigating alternative qualifications in the Applied Art and Design area of study. There are currently no plans to replace the Applied ICT, Leisure Studies or Travel and Tourism specifications.

The following timelines will apply to these changes:

• The following awards will be withdrawn at the end of the summer 2013 exam series:
• Applied Art and Design
• Applied Business
• Applied ICT
• Health and Social Care
• Leisure Studies – single award
• Travel and Tourism – single award

There will, however, be a re-sit opportunity for the externally assessed units in each of the above qualifications in January 2014.

• The following award will be withdrawn at the end of the summer 2014 exam series:
• Applied Science

There will, however, be a re-sit opportunity for the externally assessed units in January 2015.

We advise schools and colleges to contact the relevant Subject Manager if they wish to discuss possible alternatives to these qualifications.

Subject managers and contact details

Teacher Standardising Meeting: Bristol

Please note that the Teacher Standardising meeting for AS Applied Science, which was to have taken place in Bristol on Wednesday 30 November, will now instead take place on Friday 25 November. This is due to industrial action which may affect centres and teachers. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For further details, please contact the A-level Applied Science subject team on 0161 958 3743.

Secure Key Materials

Secure Key Materials is a new e-AQA service which replaces Recent Exam Materials from 1 September. It provides teachers and Exams Officers with exclusive access to a bank of exam-related material that is:

• secure
• easy to navigate
• quick to use
• intuitive, based on the design of our website.

Please read our new leaflet and look at the following demo to find out more about this new service.

The first 2010/2011 series-related documentation provided on the Secure Key Materials will be for the GCSE and GCE Science. Please note that the 2010/2011 ISA materials will be posted on the site (between 1 – 10 September) and not circulated on a CD as in previous years.

To obtain an e-AQA account and access to Secure Key Materials, please register at e-AQA. For more information about the materials published on Secure Key Materials, please don't hesitate to contact the Subject team.

Coursework standardisation meetings

Standardising meetings for GCE Applied Science AS and A2 can now be booked via the Meeting Booking System.

Introduction of Quality of Written Communication (QWC) and Stretch and Challenge:

• From January 2010, QWC and stretch and challenge will be assessed in all A2 external units
• From June 2010 QWC will be assessed in all portfolio units
• For further information please see our Teacher Resource Bank.