Your results explained Candidate guidance for GCE and Diploma exam series in November 2010, January and March 2011

AQA supporting achievement

Res/inf 2010/11 Version 1.1

Your results explained

Contents 1

General information

2. Description of results 2.1 2.2

3

Symbols used in results documentation Grades and levels available

Information about subject and unit results 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5

Unit results reported as a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) score GCE (including Applied subjects) results GCE unit results Points for each grade in Principal Learning and the Project Qualification Diploma results

3 3 3 3

5 5 6 9 11 13

4

Summary of key dates for individual exam series

14

5

Certificates

14

Enquiries about results

15

6.1 6.2 6.3

Priority copy scripts Enquiry about results (EARs) Fees

15 15 15

Frequently asked questions

16

6

7

2

Your results explained

1 General information On results day, you will receive a summary of your results from your school or college. You may receive just one sheet or a different sheet from each of your awarding bodies. These results are provisional as the official results will be on your certificate which you will receive a few months after results day. Sections 2 and 3 explain more about results documents. If you are disappointed with your results, talk to your school or college. You and your teacher may decide to make a formal enquiry about your results. There are a number of Enquiries about results services and these are explained in section 6.

2 Description of results 2.1 Symbols used in results documentation No result (X)

indicates that a result is not being issued because of absence from all parts of the exam or because of a decision not to issue a result for any other reason. The subject will not appear on a certificate.

Pending (Q)

indicates that no result has been issued as the marks for one or more components of the exam are not available. You are advised to contact your Exams Officer for further details.

#

indicates that you were absent from part of the exam and were awarded zero for this part. The result is awarded on the components actually taken.

2.2 Grades and levels available For each qualification: • subjects are printed in order of subject code • grades are printed with the grade letter repeated in lower case in brackets. If you do not achieve the minimum standard to be recorded on a certificate, you will receive an Unclassified (U(u)) result. Grade boundaries are created with great care and based on general student performance. All grade boundaries are checked and reviewed and every care has been taken to ensure your results are accurate. If we discover any discrepancy after we have issued your results, we will inform you as soon as possible. The table overleaf shows the grades and levels available for each individual qualification. Instead of Unclassified, the AQA Baccalaureate Enrichment reports below minimum standards as ‘F’, VRQ reports them as ‘Refer’. Where Q results were reported in previous series, your records may have been updated: • to indicate the level achieved or • to the status X No Result. Results reported in previous series as U# are updated to X. Results are provisional until you receive your certificates and we reserve the right to correct information until certificates are issued.

3

4

B(b)

AA(aa)

A*A (a*a)

A*(a*)

AA (aa)

A*A (a*a)

A*A*(a*a*)

GCE AS Double Award

GCE Advanced with AS (Additional)

GCE Advanced Double Award

A*(a*)

Project Qualification (Foundation) Level 1=

A(a)

Project Qualification A*(a*) (Extended Project) Level 3= B(b)

B(b) C(c)

C(c)

AB(ab)

AA(aa) B(b)

C(c)

AB(ab)

AA(aa) B(b)

BB(bb)

BC(bc)

C(c)

D(d)

D(d)

C(c)

C(c)

AB(ab)

BB(bb)

B(b)

C(c)

C(c)

B(b)

B(b)

B(b)

D(d)

BB(bb)

D(d)

BB(bb)

BC(bc)

CC(cc)

D(d)

E(e)

E(e)

D(d)

E(e)

BC(bc)

E(e)

BC(bc)

CC(cc)

CD(cd)

E(e)

E(e)

CC(cc)

F(f)

CC(cc)

CD(cd)

DD(dd)

CD(cd)

G(g)

CD(cd)

DD(dd)

DE(de)

(see section 3.5 for Diploma Awards)

DD(dd)

DD(dd)

DE(de)

EE(ee)

DE(de)

DE(de)

EE(ee)

EE(ee)

EE(ee)

EF(ef)

FF(ff)

FG(fg)

GG(gg)

Entry 2 Level 1

Entry 3

Level 2

ELC

Level 1 and Level 2 Certificate

Level 1 (Pass)

Level 1 (Pass)

Level 2 (Pass)

Basic Skills

Level 2 (Pass) Functional Skills (English, Information and Communication Technology and Mathematics)

Level 2 (Pass)

Level 3 ** (Pass)

Key Skills

Entry 1

Level 1 (Pass)

Below standard is recorded as Refer

Pass

VRQ Counselling

Pass (Level 4)

** Overall awards in Key Skills are available in January, March and June only.

Pass (P)

Merit (Level 5)

Merit (M)

Distinction (D)

AQA Bacc Award

FCSE full or short course=== Distinction (Level 6)

Below standard is recorded as F

Completion of Enrichment is recorded as P

AQA Bacc Enrichment

=Grades are issued on behalf of AQA-City&Guilds ==The results in these subjects have the same status as GCSE grades in two other single subject specifications. ===FCSE and GCSE (short course) are, designed to cover not less than half the specification content of the corresponding full FCSE or GCSE subject course of study and the same grading standards are applied. The FCSE and GCSE (short course) are, therefore, broadly equivalent to half the corresponding full FCSE and GCSE.

A(a)

A*(a*)

Project Qualification (Higher) Level 2=

A*A (a*a)

A*A*(a*a*)

GCSE (Double Award)==

A(a)

A(a)

GCSE full or short course=== A*(a*)

AB(ab)

A(a)

A(a)

GCE (including GCE in Applied subjects) Advanced Single Award

A(a)

GCE AS Single Award

A*(a*)

Principal Learning Advanced Level 3=

A(a)

B(b)

A*(a*)

Principal Learning Higher Level 2=

A(a)

FSMQ Advanced, Intermediate A(a) or Foundation Level

A*(a*)

Principal Learning Foundation Level 1=

Grading and levels reported (highest to lowest) for all qualifications

Your results explained

Your results explained

3 Information about subject and unit results 3.1 Unit results reported as a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) score Unit/module results use a nationally-agreed UMS to report the result of each unit/module and the subject awards. Following each exam series in GCE specifications, the senior examiners meet to set grade boundaries for each unit. These are used to convert a candidate’s raw mark into a uniform mark. The principal aim is to ensure that the uniform mark issued represents an equivalent standard of performance between series, given that there may be slight variations in the exam difficulty from one exam series to another. Uniform marks show how the raw marks relate to common standards across the qualification. To convert unit marks into uniform marks: • grade boundary marks are decided by an awarding committee • these boundary marks are then converted to minimum uniform marks for each grade as shown below • all other marks are converted appropriately. For further information about the use of uniform marks, see our Uniform Marks booklet in the Qualifications/Results Statistics/UMS (uniform mark scale) section of aqa.org.uk. This page also shows the relationships between uniform marks and grades for all GCE specifications and units. We publish grade boundaries to show additional raw mark grids and provide information about unit/module results. These are available from the Administration/Post-Results Services section of aqa.org.uk on results publication day. Diploma Principal Learning and Project Qualification Diploma Principal Learning uses a nationally-agreed points system to report the result of each unit (see section 3.4). The same system is used for the Project Qualification, taken as part of a Diploma. As in the case of UMS, the points system is used to show how a unit’s raw marks relate to common standards across the qualification. Conversion of raw marks to points in Principal Learning and the Project Qualification is slightly different from the conversion of raw marks to uniform marks in GCE.

5

Your results explained

3.2 GCE (including Applied subjects) results For GCE single awards, the grade boundaries for uniform marks are shown below and in the Qualifications/Results Statistics/UMS (uniform mark scale) section of aqa.org.uk GCE six unit specifications – Sciences, Electronics and Music – and single award in current Applied subjects and legacy GCE Mathematics subjects

Grade

AS subject award

A-level subject award

(Maximum UMS = 300)

(Maximum UMS = 600)

A*

A* is not available for AS

See paragraph below

A

240

480

B

210

420

C

180

360

D

150

300

E

120

240

For six unit GCE specifications (including single award in Applied subjects, Pure Mathematics and Statistics – not Mathematics or Further Mathematics), you will receive an A* if you have achieved a grade A and a minimum total of 270 uniform marks for the A2 units. For Mathematics, you will receive an A* if you have achieved a grade A and a minimum total of 180 uniform marks for MPC3 and MPC4. For Further Mathematics, you will receive an A* if you have achieved a grade A and a minimum total of 270 uniform marks for your three best A2 units. GCE four unit specifications

Grade

AS subject award

A-Level subject award

(Maximum UMS = 200)

(Maximum UMS = 400)

A*

A* is not available for AS

See paragraph below

A

160

320

B

140

280

C

120

240

D

100

200

E

80

160

For four unit GCE specifications, you will receive an A* if you have achieved a grade A and a minimum total of 180 uniform marks for the A2 units.

6

Your results explained

GCE two unit specifications

Grade

AS subject award

A-Level subject award

(Maximum UMS = 100)

(Maximum UMS = 200)

A*

A* is not available for AS

See paragraph below

A

80

160

B

70

140

C

60

120

D

50

100

E

40

80

For two unit GCE specifications, you will receive an A* if you have achieved a grade A and a minimum of 90 uniform marks for the A2 unit. For GCE double awards, grade boundaries for uniform marks are given below and in the Qualifications/Results Statistics/UMS (uniform mark scale) section of aqa.org.uk GCE Double award in Applied subjects

Grade

AS double subject award (six unit)

Advanced double subject award (12 unit)

(Max UMS mark = 600)

(Max UMS mark = 1200)

A*A*

See paragraph below

A*A

See paragraph below

AA

480

960

AB

450

900

BB

420

840

BC

390

780

CC

360

720

CD

330

660

DD

300

600

DE

270

540

EE

240

480

You will receive an A*A* if you have achieved a grade AA and a minimum total of 540 uniform marks for the six A2 units. You will receive an A*A if you have achieved a grade AA and a minimum total of 270 uniform marks for your three best A2 units. If you don’t reach the minimum standard for grade EE, the result will be recorded as U (unclassified) and you will not receive a certificate. The two grades will be reported on all 12 units, not as two sets of six units.

7

Your results explained

GCE Advanced with Advanced Subsidiary (additional) subject award

Grade

Advanced with Advanced Subsidiary (additional) subject award (nine unit) (Maximum UMS = 900)

A*A

See paragraph below

AA

720

AB

675

BB

630

BC

585

CC

540

CD

495

DD

450

DE

405

EE

360

You will receive an A*A if you have achieved a grade AA and a minimum total of 270 uniform marks for the three A2 units. If you don’t reach the minimum standard for EE, the result will be recorded as U (unclassified) and you will not receive a certificate.

8

Your results explained

3.3 GCE unit results The following tables show grade equivalents of uniform marks for unit results. Each unit’s maximum uniform mark depends on the unit weighting in the scheme of assessment. Raw marks are always converted into uniform marks. For further information, see the Qualifications/Results Statistics/UMS (uniform mark scale) section of aqa.org.uk Continuing six unit specifications in GCE Mathematics subjects and GCE Applied subjects

Grade

Grade boundaries for each unit in terms of uniform marks

Max UMS

100

A

80

B

70

C

60

D

50

E

40

Six unit specifications – Sciences, Electronics and Music

Grade boundaries in terms of uniform marks according to weighting of unit

9

Weighting as % of total AS assessment

20%

30%

33.3%

35%

40%

46.7%

Weighting as % of total Advanced assessment

10%

15%

16.7%

17.5%

20%

23.3%

Max UMS Mark

60

90

100

105

120

140

A

48

72

80

84

96

112

B

42

63

70

74

84

98

C

36

54

60

63

72

84

D

30

45

50

53

60

70

E

24

36

40

42

48

56

Your results explained

Four unit specifications – most subjects

Grade boundaries in terms of uniform marks according to weighting of unit Weighting as % of total AS assessment

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Weighting as % of total Advanced assessment

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Max UMS

60

80

100

120

140

A

48

64

80

96

112

B

42

56

70

84

98

C

36

48

60

72

84

D

30

40

50

60

70

E

24

32

40

48

56

Two unit specifications (certain Modern Foreign Languages)

Grade boundaries in terms of uniform marks according to weighting of unit Weighting as % of total AS assessment

100%

Weighting as % of total Advanced assessment

50%

Max UMS

100

A

80

B

70

C

60

D

50

E

40

10

Your results explained

3.4 Points for each grade in Principal Learning and the Project Qualification The maximum score possible for a Principal Learning unit and the Project Qualification (when taken as part of a Diploma) depends on the level and number of guided learning hours (glh). The minimum points scores per grade for: • • • •

the units the Project Qualification the Principal Learning qualification overall the Diploma overall

are shown below. Level 3 (Advanced) units

glh

30

60

90

Extended Project (120)

Max points score

7

14

21

28

A*

6

12

18

24

A

5

10

15

20

B

4

8

12

16

C

3

6

9

12

D

2

4

6

8

E

1

2

3

4

U

0

0

0

0

Level 3 (Advanced) Principal Learning and Diploma award

Principal Learning

Diploma

Max points score

126

154

A*

108

132

A

90

110

B

72

88

C

54

66

D

36

44

E

18

22

11

Your results explained

Level 2 (Higher) units

glh

30

60

Higher Project (60)

Max points score

5

10

10

A*

4

8

8

A

3

6

6

B

2

4

4

C

1

2

2

U

0

0

0

Level 2 (Higher) Principal Learning and Diploma award

Principal Learning

Diploma

Max points score

70

80

A*

56

64

A

42

48

B

28

32

C

14

16

Level 1 (Foundation) units

glh

30

60

Foundation Project (60)

Max points score

4

8

8

A*

3

6

6

A

2

4

4

B

1

2

2

U

0

0

0

Level 1 (Foundation) Principal Learning and Diploma award

Principal Learning

Diploma

Max points score

32

40

A*

24

30

A

16

20

B

8

10

12

Your results explained

3.5 Diploma results Foundation Diploma Level 1=

A*(a*)

A(a)

B(b)

Higher Diploma Level 2=

A*(a*)

A(a)

B(b)

C (c)

Advanced Diploma Level 3=

A*(a*)

A(a)

B(b)

C (c)

D(d)

E(e)

Progression Diploma Level 3=

A*(a*)

A(a)

B(b)

C (c)

D(d)

E(e)

= Grades are issued on behalf of AQA-City&Guilds

Aggregating Diploma results On results day, your school or college has access to results information via the Diploma Aggregation Service (DAS). Results for qualifications making up the Diploma appear in the qualifications section of your DAS learner account. They are submitted by awarding bodies. If results are missing from the DAS, your school or college must contact the awarding body. The completion status report shows what percentage of each Diploma element you have completed. The DAS is automatically notified when a result is posted in your account. Where DAS is aware of your intention to claim your Diploma, it will: • aggregate the results • calculate a grade • send a claim request through to us as the Diploma awarding body (DAB). We confirm the grade, award the Diploma and issue a copy to your school or college via our secure online service, e-AQA. If the DAS is not aware you intend to claim your Diploma, you will have to claim it manually. Once you have met all Diploma requirements, DAS will aggregate your results and calculate a trial grade. You then decide whether to accept this grade. If you do, the Diploma can be claimed using the ‘claim’ button in the learner account. If you are unhappy with the trial grade, you can re-sit one or more of the components.

13

Your results explained

4 Summary of key dates for individual exam series Activity

Date

Last date to request priority copies of scripts (Level 3 qualifications only)

18 March 2011

Last date for schools/colleges to receive priority copies of scripts (Level 3 qualifications only)

1 April 2011

Final date for enquiries about results applications

12 April 2011

Last date to request return of exam scripts to support teaching and learning

28 April 2011

Requests for exam scripts to support teaching and learning despatched during the period

13 April – 8 June 2011

Date by which certificates are issued

31 May 2011 12 April 2011 (Key/Basic Skills)

Last date to receive exam scripts to support teaching and learning

9 June 2011

Earliest date for confidential disposal of unwanted scripts by schools/colleges

12 June 2011

5 Certificates We print and send certificates to your school or college about three months after results day to allow: • for any changes that might arise from Enquiries about results • time to resolve any issues such as pending (Q) results or late award claims. Certificates are prepared from entries information provided by your school or college and we are not responsible for errors in this information such as the spelling of your name. If your certificate needs to be changed, please speak to your Exams Officer.

14

Your results explained

6 Enquiries about results If you are disappointed with your results, discuss them with your school/college Exams Officer or teacher. You may just need some support to understand what you have achieved. If you and your teacher are disappointed with your results, you may want to make an enquiry about them. Your school or college will know how to do this, but you need to talk to them as soon as possible as there are deadlines involved in this process (see section 4). Requests received after the given deadline date will not be accepted. The different enquiry services are described below. All are chargeable.

6.1 Priority copy of your scripts You can order a copy of your script so that you and your school or college can decide whether to make an Enquiry about results (EAR). This service is only available for GCE, GCE in Applied subjects, Diploma Principal Learning and Key Skills at Levels 3 and 4.

6.2 Enquiries about results (EARs) Please be aware that grade changes are rare as few errors are made, but we will, of course, change a grade where appropriate. Service 1 (Clerical re-check) This is a re-check of all clerical procedures leading to results being issued. Service 2 (Post-results review of marking) This is a review of the original marking to ensure that the agreed mark scheme has been applied correctly. Priority Service 2 (Post-results review of marking) This is the same as Service 2 above, but is only available if: • the enquiry is about an exam for a Level 3 qualification • a candidate’s higher education place depends on the outcome. Service 3 (Post-results review of moderation – internally assessed coursework only) This is a review of the moderation to ensure that the assessment criteria have been fairly, reliably and consistently applied. This review will affect all students at your school/college who took this component. You can discuss this further with your subject teacher or Exams Officer. For all of these services, contact your school/college Exams Officer. If you are a private candidate, please contact Exams Office Support on: 0844 209 6614. For further information go to the Administration/Post-Results Services section of aqa.org.uk

6.3 Fees Post-results fees are given in the Post-Results Services section of aqa.org.uk

15

Your results explained

7 Frequently asked questions Receiving your results When do the results come out? Results for: • AS and A-level (GCE) • GCE Applied subjects • Free-standing Mathematics Qualifications (FSMQ) • Principal Learning Level 3 • Key and Basic Skills • Functional Skills are published on Thursday 10 March 2011.

How do I get my results? Your school or college should tell you exactly where and when to collect your results. If you aren't going to your school or college to get your results yourself, you must supply an envelope to your centre for the results to be sent to you by post. We can’t provide results to you directly: they are always sent to the school or college that entered you for the exams.

What documents do I get? Your school or college will provide you with a Candidate Statement of Provisional Results. This is a statement about your results and is not a certificate. Certificates are sent to your school or college about three months after results day. Diploma Principal Learning For the Diploma Principal Learning Lines of Learning, you will receive a results slip showing the points awarded for each unit you have taken with AQA-City & Guilds and the level achieved. You will need to get other information about your Diploma awards from your Diploma Consortium. If you have submitted an Intention to Claim a Diploma award, documents showing your overall award will be available from the Diploma Awarding Body (DAB) on results day. If you have not achieved a result in a unit or subject, it will show as ‘No result’. Very occasionally the result slip may say ‘Pending’ against a subject. In either case, talk to your Exams Officer, who will be able to explain why this has occurred.

Dealing with problems What do I do if I have problems with my A-level results? Talk to your Exams Officer or teachers about your options. Further information is also available from the Students and Parents section of aqa.org.uk

16

Your results explained

Can I see my exam scripts? If you want to see the marked exam script for any of your written papers or units, you can request the Access to Scripts service for the appropriate paper. You must make the request through your school or college and there are charges for the services which they may expect you to pay. Private candidates can contact us for advice on how to request this service at [email protected] or on 0844 209 6614.

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