WJEC INSET
Pete Loader – Chief Examiner AS/A2 Geology
Principal Examiner GL3 and GL4
Ian Kenyon – Principal Examiner GL5 - Resources
Principal Moderator GL6
A levels are
changing….!
Weighting
Assessment objectives
AS level A2 level A level
AO1
AO2
AO3
Knowledge and
understanding
Application of
knowledge and
understanding
How science
works
30–40% 20–30% 25–35%
30–40% 40–50% 35–45%
20–40% 20–40% 20–40%
AO1: Knowledge and understanding of
science and of
How science works
Candidates should be able to:
 recognise, recall and show understanding of
scientific knowledge
 select, organise and communicate relevant
information in a variety of forms.
AO2: Application of knowledge and
understanding of science and of
How science works
Candidates should be able to:
 analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge and
processes
 apply scientific knowledge and processes to
unfamiliar situations including those related to issues
 assess the validity, reliability and credibility of
scientific information.
AO3: How science works
Candidates should be able to:
 demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful
practical techniques and processes, selecting
appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.
 make, record and communicate reliable and valid
observations and measurements with appropriate
precision and accuracy.
 analyse, interpret, explain and evaluate the
methodology, results and impact of their own and
others’ experimental and investigative activities in a
variety of ways.
Scheme of assessment
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Number of assessment units = 6
One of the assessment units at AS and one of the
assessment units at A2 must be internally assessed.
Each of the internally assessed units at AS and A2
must include the assessment of practical skills 20 –
30% of AS and A2.
There is a requirement for synoptic assessment at A2
AS and A2 level specifications must assess the
candidates’ quality of written communication
Geology – knowledge and
understanding
The AS ~60% knowledge and understanding
 The AS and A2 combined ~60 % knowledge and
understanding.
All specifications must require students to develop:
 a broad understanding of geological processes operating
at a range of scales in space and time
 geological investigation skills and knowledge, and an
understanding of how these are applied in practical
and/or field geology
 a scientific understanding of the Earth, its evolution and
its sustainable development.
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AS Global tectonics
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Evidence for the structure and composition of
the Earth
Earthquakes
Geomagnetism
Continental drift, seafloor spreading
Plate tectonics
AS Surface processes and
sedimentary rocks
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Weathering, erosion and transport
Depositional processes
Lithification
AS Internal processes, igneous and
metamorphic rocks
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Magma generation
Igneous processes (intrusive/extrusive)
Metamorphism
Rock deformation, folds and faults
AS Geological time

Principles of dating
A2 Geological data

Collection and interpretation of geological data
including maps and photos, logs and other
data.
A2 Life on Earth

The nature, distribution, analysis and
interpretation of fossils.
A2 Earth materials and resources

Sustainability and environmental issues related
to resources, including water and energy.
A2 Climate change

Evidence and impacts over varying
timescales, past climates and their
interpretation in the rock record.
Mathematical content for
science subjects

There is some specified for geology
Main features of WJEC
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Minimal changes from current specifications.
Option of no “coursework” at AS
Assessed Practical paper
Assessments based on;
data response questions
geological specimens (provided)
geological maps (problem solving/BGS)
No book but Annual INSET/online support.
WJEC criteria
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Evolution NOT revolution
As few changes as possible – but up-to-date.
Keep GL2a (at all costs)
Continue with GL3 – student uptake.
Specify compulsory fieldwork
Possible reduction in content at AS .
Maintain rigour!
ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY (AS)
Unit
GL 1
Title
Foundation
Geology
GL 2a Investigative
or
Geology
GL 2b
GL 3
Geology and
the Human
Environment
External
or
Internal
assessment
Time
Raw
mark
Weighting/ %
of
A-level
Ex
1 hr
60
17.5
In
1hr 30 min
or N/A
60
15
Ex
1hr 15min
50
17.5
GL1 FOUNDATION GEOLOGY
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Written Paper - 1 hour (17.5% of A level)
Short answer data response questions.
Matter, Energy, Time and Change.
Changes :
Reorganise and clarify geological knowledge
Remove - the generic fieldwork question
to GL2a
Polar wandering
INVESTIGATIVE GEOLOGY
GL2a Internal Controlled Practical
Assessment
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1½ hours (15% of A level)
Integrated problem solving paper based on a
geological problem map, photographs, specimens
and other data.
Field, laboratory and simple geological map skills.
Mineral Data Sheet available.
GL2a Internal Controlled Practical
Assessment
Changes
 Set and moderated by WJEC
 Administered and marked by centre
 Direct assessment of centre based fieldwork
(from GL2a - including field notes)
 Reduction in weighting
OR
GL2(b) Internal Field
Assessment
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15% of A level
one field-based geological investigation.
 marked by centre, moderated by WJEC
No changes
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GL3
GEOLOGY AND THE HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT
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Written Paper 1¼ hour (17.5% of A level)
Compulsory data response, and one structured essay.
Natural Hazards.
Human Hazards.
Engineering Geology.
Changes – remove “geological site investigation
techniques”
ADVANCED LEVEL (A2)
Unit
Title
External
or
Time
Internal
assessment
Raw
mark
Weighting/
% of A-level
GL 4 Interpreting
the Geological
Record
Ex
2 hr
100
17.5
GL 5 Geological
Themes
Ex
2 hr
80
17.5
GL 6 Geological
Investigations
In
N/A
60
15
GL4: INTERPRETING THE
GEOLOGICAL RECORD
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Written Paper - 2 hours (17.5% of A Level )
Integrated short answer paper interpreting a variety of
data including geological maps.
Rock forming processes.
Rock deformation.
Past Life and Past Climates
(Renamed E3 formerly The Fossil Record ).
Geological map interpretation.*
GL4: INTERPRETING THE
GEOLOGICAL RECORD
Changes
 Minor clarification changes to original content
 New Key Idea 2 – “Fossils provide evidence of
increasing diversity of life through geological time”.
Knowledge has been clarified to highlight stages in the
development of life and mass extinctions.
e.g. Ediacaran fauna, Cambrian explosion, migration to
life on land, causes of extinction events.
GL4: INTERPRETING THE
GEOLOGICAL RECORD
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New Key Idea 3 “ A combination of global
factors contributes to climate change through
geological time.”
Continent and montain belt distribution
Milankovitch cycles
Greenhouse gas changes and natural processes
Rates of past and present climate change.
Key Idea 3: A combination of global
factors contributes to climate change
through geological time
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(a) The distribution of continents and mountain belts
controls oceanic and atmospheric circulation and
influences global climate;
(b) Milankovitch cycles as a contributory cause of ice
ages.
(c) Atmospheric composition: the concentration of
CO2 and methane, and natural and man-made
contributions ….;
(d) Rates of past and present changes.
GL4: INTERPRETING THE
GEOLOGICAL RECORD
New Key Idea 4 – “ Evidence of climate
change is obtained from the fossil record,
sedimentary rocks and ocean sediments”
Includes :
faunal evidence from land plants and corals
a comparison of Carboniferous (icehouse) and
Cretaceous (greenhouse).
18O/16O isotopes
“Snowball Earth”
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Key Idea 4: Evidence of global climate
change is obtained from the fossil record,
sedimentary rocks and ocean sediments.
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(a) Fossil record provides evidence for different
climatic zones: land plants and corals
(b) Sedimentary rocks provide evidence of
depositional environments related to particular
climatic zones (eg, icehouse v greenhouse);
(c) Oxygen isotope ratios (18O/16O) in fossil shells are
indicative of the temperature of ancient ocean waters
GL4: INTERPRETING THE
GEOLOGICAL RECORD
Geological map interpretation.
Changes
Reorganisation and clarification of applications of
geological maps related to:
1.
Construction projects
2.
Geological hazards
3.
Resources including underground water and energy
supplies
4.
Environmental issues related to extraction
5.
Sustainability of waste disposal sites
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GL5: GEOLOGICAL THEMES
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Written Paper - 2 hours (17.5% of A level )
2 of 4 Themes
Compulsory data response, and choice of one
essay for each theme.
 1. Quaternary Geology
 2. Natural Resources.
 3. Evolution of Britain.
 4. Lithosphere.
GL5: GEOLOGICAL THEMES
Changes
 Reduction in content – to GL4.
 Reduction in weighting
 ONE compulsory data response question (not two)
 Some new content e.g.
Quaternary -Ice Core evidence
Natural Resources - CO2 repositories
Evolution – Clarification of Key Idea 3
Lithosphere – already ahead of its time!
GL6: GEOLOGICAL
INVESTIGATIONS
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15% of A level
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marked by centre, moderated by WJEC
Two visits to each of the four criteria
Plan, Implement, Analyse, Evaluate
Minimum 50% field evidence.
Max 50% (optional) from the laboratory. (compulsory
Laboratory element removed)
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Availability of Assessment Units
Unit
GL 1
January
June
2009

GL 4
GL 5
GL 6
June
2010
onwards
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GL 2
GL 3
2009
January
2010
onwards
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Main features of WJEC





Minimal changes from current specifications.
Option of no “coursework” at AS
Assessed Practical paper
Assessments based on;
data response questions
geological specimens (provided)
geological maps (problem solving/BGS)
No book but Annual INSET/online support.