External Evaluation of the European Baccalaureate (Annexes)

11. Comparison Table for comparison of assessment models
Use this table to make direct comparisons between the syllabuses in the following areas:
1. structure of the assessment model, including the format of assessment for the
specification/syllabus
2. whether coursework is assessed, the kinds of coursework assessed and contribution to overall
grade
3. whether oral assessment is part of the assessment model, and the extent and format of oral
assessment
4. whether the assessment model is unit-based or requires candidates to take a synoptic view of the
topics, and to what extent
NOTE: the prose commentary on the assessment models should draw attention to significant differences
in the requirements for the European baccalaureate and A Level or IB.
Assessment
structure,
format and
timings
European Baccalaureate OCR GCE A Level
Language II is one of the compulsory
elements which make up the five
components of the EB. An overall average
of 60% is the basic requirement for the
award of the EB.
The percentage for each subject is
calculated as follows:
40% Preliminary Mark, teacher assessed,
made up of two elements:
a) 15% as an arithmetical average
of two end-of semester marks
awarded by the class teacher for
class work in each of the two
semesters in Year 7.
b) 25% awarded on the basis of
written class examinations at the end
of the first semester (end of January)
in Year 7. Examinations the same
length as in the external terminal
written EB examination.
36% mark from the externally set
terminal Written Examination, based on
Year 7 syllabus, but also testing
knowledge gained in previous years
(particularly Year 6). Scripts marked first
by candidate’s teacher and then by
external examiner.
The Language II written exam lasts three
hours (four in the case of Advanced
Language II [approfondissement]).
All texts, instructions and questions in
target language.
All answers in target language.
No dictionaries.
The Language II written exam is based
7
Unlike the EB and IBD, there is no
requirement at A level to study even one
language, let alone a second one.
Candidates are therefore those who have
chosen to take this subject, rather than
having to do so in order to qualify for a
diploma.
Assessment is by means of 6 units of
assessment (3 at AS level).
At GCE A level, candidates take the
following units/components:
1. Speaking (either externally marked,
internally marked and externally
moderated, or conducted by a visiting
examiner): 15 mins – 15%
Role play set in business or domestic
context: 5 mins following 20 minutes
of preparation based on stimulus
passage in English. 15 marks.
Presentation and discussion of
topic: 10 mins (2-3 mins of prepared
presentation on subject of candidate’s
own choosing related to society or
culture) followed by 7-8 mins of
discussion with examiner. Short
notes and/or illustrative material may
be brought to the examination. 45
marks.
2. Listening, reading and writing 1 :
externally marked. 90 mins – 20%.
Section 1:
Short listening texts (e.g. news
items, items of general interest,
advertisements), not requiring
productive use of target language : 20