WJEC GCSE HISTORY

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WJECGCSE HISTORY

• UNIT 1 Depth studies UNIT 2 Depth
  Thematic studies
• Feedback on the 2011 Examination

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General observations

• Smooth transition to new Specification
• Completing the exam within one hour did not prove
  to be a problem
• Some outstanding performances at the top end with
  candidates demonstrating sustained output across
  all questions
• Weaker candidates tend to commit rubric offences

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• However, there was a noticeable increase in the
  number of bullet point style answers this needs
  to be discouraged
• Sections A B carry equal mark weightings 2 x
  25 marks
• Section A tests source evaluation skillsSection
  B tests application of knowledge
• There was sometimes a marked discrepancy in
  candidate performance across both sections
• This was especially true for weaker candidates

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• Not all topic areas in new Specification had been
  covered some Centres still teaching according
  to the old Specification
• Some Centres only taught two of the three
  sections compulsory section and one other
• Example Germany 1929-1947- very few Centres
  taught the third section War and its Impact,
  1939-1947- Q.2. answered by 16,652 candidates
  88.7- Q.3. answered by 2110 candidates
  11.3- in many instances performance in the
  less popular question was much weaker

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Comments on performance inSection A

• Q1(a)- answers often went beyond the source and
  included own knowledge- need to keep responses
  short - 2 sentences, 3 at most!- need to use
  source and caption which was too often ignored

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• Q1(b)- established question but there remains a
  pitfall- need a balance between development of
  information from source and also context via
  own knowledge- some able candidates ignore
  source in favour of just own knowledge
  answer capped at 3 marks

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• Q1(c)- new style question with mixed
  performance- a COP style response is not
  required- need to develop what is in the source
  and use the caption- provide some context via
  own knowledge- provide a judgement upon the
  question- too often judgements were weak and
  lacking in support

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• Q1(d)- established question requiring a source
  to be evaluated in terms of its content value,
  its origin and it purpose COP- needs to be a
  sustained and balanced evaluation of all three
  for full marks- candidates from some Centres
  never advance beyond evaluation of content
  answer capped at half-marks

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• Q1(e)- new style question with a focus on
  interpretation- need to compare and contrast two
  sources- evaluate how they differ comparing
  source content- evaluate why they differ
  comparing the two authors- well explained
  responses which address how and why they
  differ and display sustained explanation can
  reach Level 4 7marks- for maximum marks an
  integrated and sophisticated evaluation is
  required together with a reasoned judgement
  upon the question set

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Comments on performance inSection B

• Q2/3(a) Ditto comment made for Q1(a)
• Q2/3(b)- describe question which requires
  demonstration of specific knowledge- too many
  generalised responses- need range and depth of
  detail for maximum marks- should aim to make
  three distinct points

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• Q2/3(ci) (cii)- an established question but
  there remains a pitfall- too many ignore
  explain why and merely describe, producing
  narrative type answers- must give two distinct
  and supported reasons why

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• Q2/3(d)- question is worded to invite a
  two-sided response- many used the scaffold
  provided and this proved especially useful to
  weaker candidates as it enabled them to
  consider two-sides- need specific detail and
  range of factors to advance up the mark
  scheme- essay should be concluded with a
  reasoned judgement upon the question set-
  were many examples of balanced, reasoned and
  well supported two-sided responses

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Cycle of questions for 2012

• Compulsory Section A for 2012 Section Two of
  the course Eg Germany Changing life for the
  German people, 1933-1939Eg USA 1910-1929
  The Rise and Fall of the American Economy
• Section B Either Section One or Section Three
  of the Unit Specification

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Marking the Depth/Thematic Studies

• Three specimen scripts to examine
• Candidate (i)
• Candidate (ii)
• Candidate (iii)
• Please provide a level and mark for questions
• 1(c), 1(e) and 2(d)

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Generic mark scheme for Question C

• Level One
  1-2 marks- generalised answer, uses content
  of source mainly
• Level Two
  3-4 marks- some discussion of content,
  some context, attempt at a judgement but not
  sustained
• Level Three
  5 marks- answer addresses the issue
  clearly, using the source and contextual
  knowledge to offer a reasoned and supported
  judgement

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Generic mark scheme for Question E

• Level One
  1-2 marks
• - generalised answer paraphrases the
  sources rambles
• Level Two
  3-4 marks-
  some consideration of how they differ (content)
  unbalanced re sources weak judgement
• Level Three
  5-6 marks-
  builds upon the how with some consideration of
  why the authors have different view (content
  attributions) some judgement
• Level Four
  7-8 marks-
  balanced answer with detailed and supported
  consideration of how and why the sources have
  differing views good contextual knowledge clear
  and sustained judgement which addresses the
  question

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Generic mark scheme for Q2/3(d)

• Level One
  1-2 marks- generalised simple
  explanation little support
• Level Two
  3-5 marks- 3-4 marks one-sided with some
  support very weak two-sided
• - 5 marks one-sided with reasonable
  support weak two-sided

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• Level Three
  6-8 marks- 6-7 marks very good one-sided
  unbalanced two-sided with some contextual
  support
• - 8 marks good explanation / evaluation
  but lacking some detail / balance
• Level Four
  9-10 marks- 9 marks reasoned supported
  two-sided answer with good balance mostly
  accurate detail
• - 10 marks reasoned well supported two-
  sided with very good balance accurate
  detail well reasoned conclusion

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Total marks awarded to each candidate and grade

• Candidate (i)Total mark /50
  Grade
• Candidate (ii)Total mark /50
  Grade
• Candidate (iii)Total mark /50
  Grade