Assessment - A-Levels Chemistry
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Chemistry A
3a. Forms of assessment
All three externally assessed components (01-03) contain some synoptic assessment, some extended response questions and some stretch and challenge questions.
Stretch and challenge questions are designed to allow the most able learners the opportunity to demonstrate the full extent of their knowledge and skills.
Stretch and challenge questions will support the awarding of A* grade at A level, addressing the need for greater differentiation between the most able learners.
Assessment components
| Component | Assessment details |
|---|---|
| Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (Component 01) | This component is worth 100 marks and is split into two sections and assesses content from teaching modules 1, 2, 3 and 5. Learners answer all questions. Section A contains multiple choice questions. This section of the paper is worth 15 marks. Section B includes short answer question styles (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions. This section of the paper is worth 85 marks. |
| Synthesis and analytical techniques (Component 02) | This component is worth 100 marks and is split into two sections and assesses content from teaching modules 1, 2, 4 and 6. Learners answer all questions. Section A contains multiple choice questions. This section of the paper is worth 15 marks. Section B includes short answer question styles (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions. This section of the paper is worth 85 marks. |
| Unified chemistry (Component 03) | This component assesses content from across all teaching modules 1 to 6. Learners answer all questions. This component is worth 70 marks. Question styles include short answer (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions. |
| Practical Endorsement in chemistry (Component 04) | Performance in this component is reported separately to the performance in the A level as measured through externally assessed components 01 to 03. This non-exam assessment component rewards the development of practical competency in chemistry and is teacher assessed. Learners demonstrate competence in the range of skills and techniques specified in Section 1.2 of the specification by carrying out a minimum of 12 assessed practical activities. The Practical Endorsement is teacher assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria as specified in Section 5g. Learners may work in groups but must demonstrate and record independent evidence of their competency. Teachers who award a pass to their learners must be confident that each learner consistently and routinely exhibits the competencies listed in Section 5g and has demonstrated competence in all the skills detailed in Section 1.2.1 and the apparatus and techniques detailed in Section 1.2.2 before completion of the A level course. The practical activities provided by OCR are all mapped against the specification and assessment criteria. |
3b. Assessment objectives (AO)
There are three assessment objectives in OCR's A Level in Chemistry A. These are detailed in the table below.
Learners are expected to demonstrate their ability to:
Assessment objectives
| AO | Assessment Objective |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: • in a theoretical context • in a practical context • when handling qualitative data • when handling quantitative data. |
| AO3 | Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to: • make judgements and reach conclusions • develop and refine practical design and procedures. |
AO weightings in A Level in Chemistry A
| Component | AO1 | AO2 | AO3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (H432/01) | 13-14 | 15-16 | 8-9 |
| Synthesis and analytical techniques (H432/02) | 13-14 | 15-16 | 8-9 |
| Unified chemistry (H432/03) | 5-6 | 10-12 | 9-10 |
| Practical endorsement in chemistry (H432/04)* | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 31-34 | 40-44 | 25-28 |
* The Practical Endorsement is assessed and reported separately from the overall A level grade (see Section 5g).
4a. Pre-assessment
Updated arrangements for monitoring the Practical Endorsement
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Monitoring arrangements | Full details on the monitoring and the implementation of the practical endorsement are available on the Positive about Practical pages at https://www.ocr.org.uk/subjects/science/positive-about-practical. Lead teachers are required to have undertaken the free online training for A level science teachers, available here: https://practicalendorsement.ocr.org.uk/login/index.php. The lead teacher should also ensure that all other teachers of that science within the centre are familiar with the requirements so that standards are applied consistently. The awarding organisations (AOs) use information from centre entries for the A levels in biology, chemistry and physics from the previous summer examination series to jointly plan monitoring visits for the current two-year cycle and the subsequent cycles. Most centres will be monitored for a different science than that which was monitored in the previous monitoring cycle. Large centres will continue to be monitored for biology, chemistry and physics in each cycle. The first contact with a centre will be from the AO with which the science to be monitored was entered in the prior summer series. This first contact will be with the exams officer (or other nominated school contact). It is the responsibility of a centre that is new, or is switching exam boards, or that only offers one or two science A levels to let AOs know, so that appropriate monitoring can be scheduled. |
Entry options
| Entry code | Title | Component code | Component title | Assessment type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H432A | Chemistry A | 01 | Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry | External assessment |
| H432A | Chemistry A | 02 | Synthesis and analytical techniques | External assessment |
| H432A | Chemistry A | 03 | Unified chemistry | External assessment |
| H432A | Chemistry A | 04 | Practical Endorsement in chemistry | Non-exam assessment (Visiting monitoring) |
| H432C | Chemistry A | 01 | Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry | External assessment |
| H432C | Chemistry A | 02 | Synthesis and analytical techniques | External assessment |
| H432C | Chemistry A | 03 | Unified chemistry | External assessment |
| H432C | Chemistry A | 80 | Practical Endorsement in chemistry - Carried Forward* | Non-exam assessment (Carried Forward) |
*The carry forward option will be available for the first time from June 2018.