About GCSE ICT
You can see how our GCSE ICT maps against Functional ICT by looking at our mapping document.
The specification at a glance
Our specification has been structured to give you maximum flexibility.
- The Single Award is two units.
- The Double Award is four units, two of which are the same as the single award.
- The Single Award has one exam paper worth 40% of the total marks, and one controlled assessment worth 60%.
- The Double Award has the same exam paper and controlled assessment task, and then a second exam paper and a second controlled assessment task.
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UNIT 1: Living in a Digital World
In this unit, students explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society. Students learn about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use in a range of contexts (learning and earning, leisure, shopping and money management, health and well-being, on the move). They develop awareness of the risks that are inherent in using ICT and the features of safe, secure and responsible practice.
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Written paper
Externally assessed |
Students have 90 minutes for the written paper |
40%
Single Award
20%
Double Award |
UNIT 2: Using Digital Tools
This is a practical unit. Students broaden and enhance their ICT skills and capability. They work with a range of digital tools and techniques to produce effective ICT solutions in a range of contexts. Students learn to reflect critically on their own and others’ use of ICT and to adopt safe, secure and responsible practice. They put into practice what they learned about digital technology in Unit 1.
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Controlled Assessment Brief (CAB) provided by Edexcel, marked by teachers and moderated by
Edexcel
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Students have 40 hours to complete the CAB |
60%
Single Award
30%
Double Award |
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UNIT 3: Exploring Digital Design
In this unit, students explore the design of interactive digital products such as websites, computer games and databases. They learn how to interpret and produce design documentation. Students investigate the properties of different types of digital content and features of the user interface. They develop knowledge and understanding of legal and other constraints affecting the production and use of digital content.
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Written paper
Externally assessed |
Students have 90 minutes for the written paper |
20%
Double Award
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UNIT 4: Creating Digital Products
This is a practical unit. Students apply the knowledge and understanding of digital design they acquired in Unit 3 to produce an interactive digital product for others to use.
They can choose what sort of product to design and make, but it must include an appropriate user interface and user input must determine the outputs that are produced. |
Controlled Assessment Brief (CAB) provided by
Edexcel, marked by teachers and moderated by
Edexcel
|
Students have 40 hours to complete the CAB |
30%
Double Award |