GradeDescriptors

=Group 3 Grade Descriptors=

Grade 7 Excellent performance
In the context of the specification the candidate demonstrates: conceptual awareness, insight, and knowledge and understanding which are evident in the skills of critical thinking; a high level of ability to provide answers which are fully developed, structured in a logical and coherent manner and illustrated with appropriate examples; a precise use of IT terminology; familiarity with IT concepts, developments and trends; informed opinions on the effects of IT on people; the ability to analyse and evaluate evidence and to synthesize knowledge and concepts; awareness of alternative points of view and subjective bias, and the ability to come to reasonable, albeit tentative, conclusions; the ability to apply knowledge and understanding to unfamiliar problems; evidence of critical reflective thinking; a high level of proficiency in analysing and evaluating data or problem solving; the ability to design and produce high quality, efficient solutions in a social context, including clear justification of design decisions and appropriate testing.

Grade 4 Satisfactory performance
In the context of the specification the candidate demonstrates: a secure knowledge and understanding of ITGS including the main effects on society and going beyond the mere citing of isolated, fragmentary, irrelevant or ‘common sense’ points; some ability to structure answers but with insufficient clarity and possibly some repetition; an ability to express knowledge and understanding in IT terms; some understanding of the way facts or ideas may be related and embodied in principles and concepts; some ability to develop ideas and substantiate assertions; the application of knowledge and understanding to familiar problems; use of knowledge and understanding which is more descriptive than analytical; some ability to compensate for gaps in knowledge and understanding through rudimentary application or evaluation of that knowledge; an ability to interpret data or to solve problems and some ability to engage in analysis and evaluation; the ability to design and produce IT solutions in a social context and operate appropriate testing strategies.

Grade 3 Mediocre performance
In the context of the specification the candidate demonstrates: some knowledge and understanding of ITGS; a basic sense of structure that is not sustained throughout the answers; a basic use of IT terms; some ability to establish links between facts or ideas; some ability to comprehend data or to solve problems; the ability to produce simple IT solutions in a social context and test the solutions in a limited way.