F215 - Revision thread 13th June 2011

I am strongly considering A2 Further Maths, at least then Biology would seem less relevant...

F214 probably will involve the Calvin Cycle and Krebs Cycle - big question....

sent an email to OCR. If you wish to continue complain, don't unless you have expressed the issues in the paper by email to them. We on here cannot do anything to help you

OCR RESPONSE http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/quals/ocr_59417_quals_f215_statement.pdf


June 2011 series: F215 (Control, Genomes and Environment)
In response to a number of e-mails commenting on this examination paper, we are sorry to read the concerns expressed and wish to assure candidates and their
teachers that OCR continually monitors all aspects of the assessment in the light of feedback and student experience.

A number of the issues raised concerned the overall balance of content in the paper, with a perceived over-emphasis on ecology. We wish to point out that in some of the
questions an ecological context was used purely as a vehicle to test skills in handling, interpreting and evaluating data, to fulfil the significant amount of testing of
Assessment Objective 2 (Application of Knowledge and Understanding) and Assessment Objective 3 (How Science Works) which are required in the A2 papers.
This was the case in a number of sections in questions 4 and 7.

Both A2 units contain some questions which are set to provide an element of stretch and challenge for the candidates, to provide the necessary demand to enable A*
grades to be awarded. By definition therefore, some candidates may well find aspects of this assessment harder than expected. As with all our assessments, a committee of subject specialist senior assessors, and the Chair of Examiners, are responsible for the setting of the question paper. This team checks that all aspects are clearly on the specification, and that the content is appropriate. This F215 paper assesses learning outcomes from all modules of this unit; however, candidates are also required to use knowledge from the AS specification in a synoptic manner, as is the case in all the A2 units.

We wish to assure you that all feedback received on any examination is considered both at the Standardisation meeting, where the mark scheme is finalised, and at the
Awarding Meeting, where grade boundaries are set. If any issue is found to have adversely affected the candidates, grade boundaries will be set so as to ensure that
no candidates are disadvantaged. OCR is in no way complacent in regard to this matter and will act appropriately on feedback received in regard to this and future
GCE Biology assessments.

Gwen Low
Chair of Examiners
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
Standards

Yes.

What were questions 4 and 5 again?

I've heard OFSTED is getting involved due to the number of people that complained.

Oh really? Who did you hear that from?

OCR RESPONSE http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/quals/ocr_59417_quals_f215_statement.pdf


June 2011 series: F215 (Control, Genomes and Environment)
In response to a number of e-mails commenting on this examination paper, we are sorry to read the concerns expressed and wish to assure candidates and their
teachers that OCR continually monitors all aspects of the assessment in the light of feedback and student experience.

A number of the issues raised concerned the overall balance of content in the paper, with a perceived over-emphasis on ecology. We wish to point out that in some of the
questions an ecological context was used purely as a vehicle to test skills in handling, interpreting and evaluating data, to fulfil the significant amount of testing of
Assessment Objective 2 (Application of Knowledge and Understanding) and Assessment Objective 3 (How Science Works) which are required in the A2 papers.
This was the case in a number of sections in questions 4 and 7.

Both A2 units contain some questions which are set to provide an element of stretch and challenge for the candidates, to provide the necessary demand to enable A*
grades to be awarded. By definition therefore, some candidates may well find aspects of this assessment harder than expected. As with all our assessments, a committee of subject specialist senior assessors, and the Chair of Examiners, are responsible for the setting of the question paper. This team checks that all aspects are clearly on the specification, and that the content is appropriate. This F215 paper assesses learning outcomes from all modules of this unit; however, candidates are also required to use knowledge from the AS specification in a synoptic manner, as is the case in all the A2 units.

We wish to assure you that all feedback received on any examination is considered both at the Standardisation meeting, where the mark scheme is finalised, and at the
Awarding Meeting, where grade boundaries are set. If any issue is found to have adversely affected the candidates, grade boundaries will be set so as to ensure that
no candidates are disadvantaged. OCR is in no way complacent in regard to this matter and will act appropriately on feedback received in regard to this and future
GCE Biology assessments.

Gwen Low
Chair of Examiners
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
Standards