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1 GCSES pecificationICT and certification June 2014 onwardsCourse for Exams June 201 onwards4and certification June 2014 onwards Short Course for Exams June 2014 onwards Full GCSES pecificationInformation andCommunicationTechnology4520 Our specification is published on our website ( ). We will let centres know in writing aboutany changes to the specification. We will also publish changes on our website. The definitive version of ourspecification will always be the one on our website; this may differ from printed black lines indicate a significant change or addition to the previous version of this can get further copies of this specification from:AQA Logistics Centre (Manchester)Unit 2 Wheel Forge WayAshburton ParkTrafford ParkManchesterM17 1 EHOr, you can download a copy from our website ( )Copyright 2012 AQA and its licensors. All rights retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, registered centres forAQA are permitted to copy material from this specification booklet for their own internal Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Englandand Wales (company number 3644723), and a registered charity (number 1073334).

2 Registered address: AQA Devas Street Manchester M15 6EX1 GCSE ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version ) choose AQA? choose AQA s GCSE in Information andCommunication Technology? do I start using this specification? can I find out more?52 Specification at a Glance63 Subject Content 7 Content Overview: Full Course7 ICT systems and applications8 Detailed and emerging range of ICT tools and s use of working33 Content Overview: Short Course36 ICT systems and applications37 Detailed and emerging range of ICT tools and s use of Assessment of Unit 2 (Full and Short Course) andUnit 3 (Full Course)60 Unit 2 Controlled Assessment and Marking Criteria60 Unit 3 Controlled Assessment and Marking Criteria654 Scheme of Assessment and learning Objectives (AOs) learning requirements to assessment: diversity and of assessment units and arrangements, reasonable adjustments and grades and reporting series882 GCSE ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version )6 Controlled Assessment controlled assessment standardising of of controlled assessment marks and sample work for affecting individual candidates work after moderation92 Appendices93 AGrade descriptions93 BSpiritual, moral, ethical, social, legislative, sustainable development, economic and cultural issues and health and safetyconsiderations94 COverlaps with other qualifications95 DWider Key Skills96E Abbreviations that candidates should know973 GCSE ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version ) Why choose AQA?

3 We are the United Kingdom s favourite exam boardand more students get their academic qualificationsfrom us than from any other board. But why are weso popular?We understand the different requirements ofeach subject by working with teachers. Our GCSEs:help students achieve their full potentialare relevant for today s challengesare manageable for schools and collegesare easy to understand by students of all levelsof abilitylead to accurate results, delivered on time are affordable and value for provide a wide range of support services forteachers, including:access to subject departmentstraining for teachers, including practicalteaching strategies and methods that work,presented by senior examinersindividual support for Controlled Assessment24-hour support through our website andonline with Ask AQApast question papers and mark schemesa wide range of printed and electronicresources for teachers and studentsfree online results analysis, with EnhancedResults are an educational charity focused on the needsof the learner.

4 All our income is spent on improvingthe quality of our specifications, examinations andsupport services. We don t aim to profit fromeducation, we want you you are already a customer we thank you for yoursupport. If you are thinking of joining us we lookforward to welcoming ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version ) Why choose this GCSE in Information and Communication Technology?AQA s specification for GCSE ICT brings the subjectcontent right up to date with resources that havebeen designed to engage all students. At the sametime, there is much continuity between the subjectcontent of the Curriculum 2000 specifications andthis one. This specification gives emphasis to thedevelopment of transferable skills, such as thinkingcreatively, logically and critically and, in particular, toproblem solving and collaborative working Elements are also embedded in this GCSE specification which will save valuable curriculum time. This specification has something for everyone: for teachers, it offers the opportunity to usethe very latest technology when teaching thesubject content which will help them tomotivate students.

5 Our e-technology will alsocut down the time spent on administration andhelp teachers to monitor the performance ofcandidatesfor candidates, the scheme of assessment hassomething to engage the whole ability range ofcandidates. For example, the sectionalisationof Systems and Applications in ICT isparticularly useful in the context of there beingno tiered assessment at Foundation andHigher levels. Sections B and C of thequestion paper will add an element of stretchand challenge for the more able. In Unit 3 ofthe Full Course, Practical Problem Solving inICT, the specification offers a component thatwill be attractive to both candidates andemployers as it is designed to develop incandidates the basics of problem solvingmethodologyThe subject content of this specification covers theProgramme of Study for Key Stage 4 of the NationalCurriculum Order for Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT), and it subsumes the Programmesof Study for Key Stages 1 to 3. It meets the statutoryrequirements for Key Stage 4 in Northern Ireland andWales.

6 The subject content meets the requirementsof the National Criteria for GCSE ICT, and preparescandidates for courses leading to A-level ICT, ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version )1 Subject Content8 Summary of Subject How do I start using this specification?To ensure you receive all the teaching andexamination material, it is important that the personresponsible for making the decision to teach AQAinforms both AQA and their Exam one:To confirm you will be teaching this specification go complete the onlineform. You will then receive your free GCSEI nformation and Communication Technology welcomepack(s) that contain teaching and support materialand regular updates by e-mail from two: Inform your Exam Officer of your choiceto ensure you receive all your examination Exam Officer will make sure that your centre isregistered with AQA and will complete the Intention toEnter and Estimated Entries when required to do your centre is registered on e-AQA such informationcan be submitted your centre has not used AQA for any examinationsin the past, please contact our centre approval teamat How can I find out more?

7 You can find out more about this specification or theservices that AQA offer in a number of AQAYou have 24 hour access to useful information andanswers to the most commonly asked questions the answer to your question is not available, youcan submit a query through Ask AQAfor our will respond within two working to your subject teamYou can talk directly to the ICT subject team aboutthis specification either by by calling 0161 958 3860. Teacher Support MeetingsDetails of the full range of current Teacher Supportand CPD courses are available on our web site There is also a link to our fast and convenient onlinebooking system for all of our courses information onlineYou can find out more including the latest news, howto register to use Enhanced Results Analysis, supportand downloadable resources on our website ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version )22 Specification at a GlancePLUSPLUSCODE45201 CODE45202 CODE45203 Unit 1 Systems and Applications in ICT(120 marks) 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of the marks Externally assessed Section A: 10 structured questions featuring arange of types of questions from veryshort to questions requiring 2 or 3 lineanswers.

8 (72 marks)Section B: 3 structured questions featuring shortand extended answer questions.(36 marks)All questions will be compulsory in Sections A and C: 1 essay question from a choice of 2.(12 marks)Unit 2 The Assignment: Applying ICT(100 marks) Approximately 25 hours of Controlled Assessment 30% of the marksInternally assessed, externally moderatedThe description of a situation will be provided byAQA each year. Within the given situation, andworking independently, candidates will be asked tosolve one or more tasks requiring independent useof ICT. A new Assignment will be providedevery year by AQA. Candidates must submit theAssignment current for the year in which they enterfor the exam. Unit 3 Practical Problem Solving in ICT(100 marks) Approximately 25 hours of Controlled Assessment30% of the marksInternally assessed, externally moderatedThe purpose of this unit is to ask candidates tosolve practical problems which they may meet ineducation, the community or in the work place.

9 ICTmust be used to solve the problem. Eachyear six tasks will be provided by AQA. The centrecan then choose which tasks to make available toits candidates. More than one task per teachinggroup can be used in each CourseFor assessments and subject awards after June 2013 there is a requirementthat 100% of the assessment is 1 Systems and Applications in ICT(60 marks)1 hour 40% of the marks Externally assessed Section A: 5 structured questions featuring arange of types of questions from veryshort to questions requiring 2 or 3 lineanswers. (30 marks) Section B: 2 structured questions featuring shortand extended answer questions. (18 marks)All questions will be compulsory in Sections A and C: 1 essay question from a choice of 2.(12 marks)Unit 2 The Assignment: Applying ICT(100 marks) Approximately 25 hours of Controlled Assessment 60% of the marksInternally assessed, externally moderatedThe description of a situation will be provided byAQA each year. Within the given situation, andworking independently, candidates will be asked tosolve one or more tasks requiring independent useof ICT.

10 A new Assignment will be providedevery year by AQA. Candidates must submit theAssignment current for the year in which they enterfor the exam. Short Course7 GCSE ICT for certification from June 2014 onwards (version )33 Subject ContentContent Overview: Full Course*This subject content should be taught using a range of realistic contexts which include the home,leisure, recreation, school and education, the community, public services, business and subject content is arranged in four Sections, to Below is an overview of the four sections. Section and emerging Computer systems and Current input and output Storage devices and Communications and range of ICT tools and Systems life Working with information to Operating systems and user Applications Word processing, DTP, web design andother presentation Graphics production and Spreadsheets and modelling Web browsing and Web logs and social Data logging and control s use of Legal Social and economic Political, ethical and Principles and processes ofcollaborative and learning opportunities forfunctional elements of ICT in thesubject contentFunctional elements of ICT are embedded in thesubject content of this specification see referencesto FE throughout Section 3.