KEY SKILLS

1
KEY SKILLS

• Marina King
• January 2006

2
INTRODUCTION

• The qualification
• Exemptions
• Initial assessment
• Achievement on Entry forms
• On-screen testing
• Students with identified learning needs
• Assessment
• Portfolio
• Resits
• Results

3
THE QUALIFICATION

• 2 assignments
• 1 on-screen test (at levels 1 and 2)
• 1 IT practical test (at level 3)

4
EXEMPTIONS

• GCSE A-C should work towards level 3
• GCSE D-G should work towards level 2
• No GCSE should work towards level 1
• GNVQ Int ICT should work towards level 3
• GNVQ Found ICT should work towards level 2

5
INITIAL ASSESSMENT

• IT key skills lecturer to do it during 1st
  lesson. This is on the Internet. Details to
  follow
• The results will form an ILP
• For a quick overview, try the mock tests on the
  Desktop.

6
ACHIEVEMENT ON ENTRY FORMS (AOE)

• The data on these forms are to help ascertain the
  level each student should be working towards. The
  following should be on the forms
• GCSE results in Maths, English, ICT
• AS results in all the above
• Whether a candidate is on an AS programme in any
  of the above
• Any key skills achievement.
• Coded by PAL for guidance of relevant level

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USING ACHIEVEMENT ON ENTRY FORMS

• To check with the student their results are
  accurate. You will receive these forms in the 3rd
  week of September. Check with the students that
  their results have been recorded correctly and
  send back to PAL for enrolment onto relevant key
  skill.
• To help ascertain the level students should be
  working towards.
• To use for
• entry for on-screen tests
• portfolio submission for external verification
• proxy claims
• A new form (obtained from Curriculum Ops) is
  required each time test/portfolio entries are
  requested.

8
ON SCREEN TESTING

• Time must be allocated to prepare students for
  tests.
• Students must pass 2 mock assessments before
  being entered for the Edexcel test.
• Portfolios do not need to be completed before
  entering for tests.
• There will be a room allocated to testing. Class
  groups may be entered during their normal class
  time if the room is free.
• There may be opportunities to set mocks for AON
  and Comms in the testing room.

9
STUDENTS WITH IDENTIFIED LEARNING NEEDS

• Students who need extra time or readers must be
  identified to Wendy West and on the AOE forms.
• These students may have to sit paper based tests
  see PAL to discuss.
• Paper based tests are still subject to set dates
  and a long lead time for registering students.

10
LEVEL 3 TESTS

• These are practical IT tests for IT.
• Test windows still apply with deadlines for
  entering students weeks in advance.
• Past papers are available in library and on the
  QCA website.
• Use AOE forms to enter students.

11
RESITS

• Students must pay 10 for each key skill test
  that they resit. This includes
• If they failed previous attempt
• If they did not show up previously when they had
  been entered (unless they have a doctors
  certificate)
• A copy of their receipt must be attached to the
  AOE form when re-entering the students.
• If a student is on a new programme the following
  year, they do not have to pay to resit a test
  they failed previously.

12
RESULTS

• Provisional results are available as soon as the
  exams are uploaded (usually same day).
• Copies of the results will be kept by Curriculum
  Ops for tutors to refer to.
• Final results are sent in to College several
  weeks later from Edexcel.
• Pass slips/certificates are sent out to students
  either through the post or via PDTs.

13
PORTFOLIO

• Suggest that assignments and portfolio is front
  loaded to maximise key skills achievement.
• Please go to see your key skills PAL to share
  formative moderation.
• On College moderation days, staff must bring
  portfolios (either work in progress or completed)
  and share moderation.
• Portfolios must be completed, tracked and
  assessed before handing in for final moderation.
• AOE forms to be used for portfolios to be
  externally moderated.