Assessment Calendar

GCSE Controlled Assessment Explained

The Purpose of Controlled Assessment
Controlled assessment is internal assessment and replaces coursework in GCSE’s. It is used for those aspects of a subject which cannot be readily assessed by an external examination, for example:
·         undertaking research and gathering, selecting and organising materials and information
·         planning investigations
·         carrying out investigations and/or tasks
·         performance and production skills
·         working with others and devising creative approaches
·         extracting and interpreting information form a range of different sources
·         selecting and applying tactics, strategies and compositional ideas
·         taking informed and responsible action
·         analysis and evaluation of processes and products
·         presenting ideas and arguments supported by evidence
 
Subjects with Controlled Assessment
Different GCSE subjects require different amounts of controlled assessment. All GCSE subjects are in one of three categories:
 
60% controlled assessment / 40% external examination
25% controlled assessment / 75% external examination
0% controlled assessment / 100% external examination
Art
Design and Technology
Drama
English Language
ICT
Modern Foreign Languages
Music
Physical Education
Additional Science
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
English Literature
Geography
History
Physics
Science
Latin
Mathematics
Religious Education
 
Stages and Levels of Control
There are three stages in controlled assessment: Task setting, Task taking and Task marking.
 
Task setting: Depending on the subject, tasks may be set by the school or by the awarding body. 
 
Task taking: Outlines how pupils go about taking the task and can be split into stages:
·         Research – Low control – pupils can work unsupervised outside the classroom
·         Analysis – Medium control – pupils do their analysis and selection under informal supervision
·         Write-up – High control – pupils write up their task in a supervised classroom environment
 
Task marking: Pupils’ controlled assessment work is usually assessed internally by teachers, according to mark schemes or criteria provided by the awarding bodies. In a small number of cases, the awarding body will mark the controlled assessment. 
 
More information about controlled assessment can be found in our Guide to GCSE Controlled Assessments

Please click on the links below to access the Assessment Calendars

GCSE Assessment Calendar

AS/A2 Assessment Calendar

IB Assessment Calendar