Edexcel : Qualifications : Entry level certificate

You need the specification (order code W010814) and the coursework set tasks (order code W012677).
You can download both of these from the website or order copies from our publications department.
There will also be other support material published on the this website in the ICT area.

How do I enter students for the ELC in ICT?

You must complete an E3 (available in the Information Manual). The course code is 8918.
The E3 form must be returned to the Entries and Certification Section in Stewart House by the 15th January.

How much does it cost?

The fee for 2002/03 is £10.50 per student

What is the Assessment Collection?

It is the four pieces of coursework that the students must complete. Two of the tasks must be Edexcel set tasks selected from the coursework set task booklet.

Is there an examination for this course?

No. The students must complete four pieces of coursework, each generating 25% of the total marks available.

Can I use the Edexcel set tasks as my centre-devised tasks for the other two skill areas?

NO. However you CAN use the exemplar assessment material found in the specification, as the basis for your centre-devised tasks. You can use these as they are, or you may like to alter them to make them more locally relevant. If you do alter them, or write your own, please be careful to ensure that you cover the required Assessment Objectives.

I think my students are at Entry3 now. Can I just get them to do the Entry3 tasks and not do the Entry1 and Entry2 tasks?

NO. This qualification is intended to encourage small steps of achievement for students operating at the level below grade G of GCSE. Each level builds upon the level before and students must achieve Entry1 and Entry2 before proceeding to Entry3.

Can I design a task that covers Entry1, Entry2 AND Entry3 in the same task so that students don’t have to do 3 different tasks (eg WP/DTP)?

This is NOT acceptable for the WP/DTP task which requires a different publication for each level.

Is there a printing error in the Activities and Mark Allocation sheets for each task? In the first column the numbering goes 1, 2, 3, 3, 4.

NO! The tasks have been devised to ensure that there is a 20% weighting for Assessment Objective 3. So that students get two activities for this AO and could earn 2 marks out of 5 available for the task.
This weighting reflects the fact that the course is a PRACTICAL course

When do I have to submit the final marks and the Assessment Collection?

Page 9 of the specification states that candidates should complete their tasks in time for the centre to provide a sample of work for moderation by the end of April in the year of the awarding of the certificate.

How many samples will I have to submit for moderation?

Up to 10 candidates, and 1 in 10 thereafter, up to a maximum of 20 candidates (who are starred on the optems form), plus the lowest and highest if they are not starred.

What do I have to submit for moderation?

For each student:
ONE Assessment Collection Summary
FOUR Task Mark sheets (one for each task)
FOUR pieces of coursework
Plus:
ONE Task Activity Sheet for each centre-set task (2 in total)

Are there any suitable textbooks for this course?

Edexcel does not endorse any textbooks specifically for this course.

I cannot get the formula to work for the spreadsheet Set Task 2 (series 2) – page 7, cell F17.

The formula for cell F17 (page 7 of set tasks booklet) printed in earlier versions of the coursework set tasks is incorrect. It should read =SUM(F12:F15)

There isn’t a formula in cell F21 on the page 7 (see above) OR in Cell D20 on page 23. Should I put one in myself?

NO. The student is required to fill in the simple formula during the activities for Entry 3 level.

What materials do I give to the student for their tasks?

You give the student the Task Mark Sheet.
It might be a good idea to provide an additional sheet that gives (a) the background scenario (b) the start date for the task and (c) the completion date for the task. You will also need to inform them of the total time they have available for the task, (6 hours is suggested).

Do the students have to do the tasks under exam conditions?

Set-tasks should be completed under controlled conditions. Teachers may read the material and explain activities to candidates. While teachers may give guidance they may not mark students’ drafts, nor allow the tasks out of the teacher’s direct supervision at any time. The time allowed for completing tasks is suggested as 6 hours, or over a three week period.

Can students use a mobile phone for the everyday device that they need to programme? (eg sending text messages)

No, a device such as a VCR, that can be programmed to perform a particular task, should be used.

The suggested hours are for guidance only. You must determine how many hours your students require. Obviously Entry Level1 students will need more time than Level 2 & 3 students.

What do I have to teach?

In the specification each skill area has a checklist that defines the skills that need to be covered before entry 3 can be attempted.
These skills are progressive - you will see from the Activities and Mark Allocation sheets that each level requires further skills in using, for example, the database appropriately.
The tasks assess the knowledge, skills and understanding outlined in the checklist.

Some of my students have English as a second language and struggle with writing accurately in English. The checklist for WP/DTP (page 18) only mentions inserting and deleting text (not creating original text). Does that mean that I could provide students with text files for the tasks instead of asking them to key in original text?

Yes, you can supply text from which your students can work.

Is there any exemplar material to show the standard expected for the three levels?

No exemplar material will be provided.