GCSE (9-1) Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): FAQ Index

« Go Back

Information

Title	GCSE (9-1) Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): FAQ Index

URL Name	GCSE-9-1-Computer-Science-Application-of-Computational-Thinking-1CP2-02-FAQ-Index

Resolution

Here you’ll find links to frequently asked questions/answers about our Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02) onscreen assessment.

A link to the next FAQ section is provided in each article.

GCSE Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): Preparing For The Examination - Guidance, Support Materials & Forms

Where can I find the latest version of the Instructions for the Conduct of the Examination (ICE) and the role-specific checklists?

Where can I find the Centre Examination Schedule Form/Practical Programming Statement (PPS) Form?

Do I need to submit the Centre Examination Schedule Form if we are completing all exams at the published start time but in different rooms?

Do I need to submit the Centre Examination Schedule Form if we are staggering the exam start times due to the cohort size/equipment available?

Do I need to submit a Practical Programming Statement (PPS) form?

Who completes the Practical Programming Statement (PPS) for private candidates?

Why do I need to submit a Practical Programming Statement (PPS) form?

GCSE Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): Preparing For The Examination - System Setup & Requirements

How do we create Secure User Areas?

What are the requirements for each Secure User Area?

Can I check that all the Secure User Areas have been set up correctly ahead of the exam?

Are we able to have backup accounts set up that candidates can use on exam day if theirs do not work?

What are the requirements of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) being used?

How do I disable the collaborative functionality within the Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?

Are we allowed to use the help that goes with our chosen Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?
Some IDEs use online links for this - do you have any recommendations?

Are candidates allowed extensions enabled on their Integrated Development Environment (IDE) (for example, to auto-complete terms, colourize nested brackets or format their code) or would this be considered an unfair advantage?

Is there a comprehensive list of all the executable files that candidates should be able to launch?

How do I share the secure coding files once I have downloaded them with the IT technician on the day of the exam so they can move the files to the Secure User Areas?

There is a policy in place at my centre which prevents files being written directly to the local disk of the machines that the candidates will be using. Can we provide labelled USB memory sticks instead of creating partitions on the local drive? The USBs would be unique to each candidate, labelled and contain both the folders required for the onscreen examination.

Can a secure USB drive be used for the distribution and collection of files?

Can I open and view the secure coding files, once downloaded, to check them ahead of placing them in the 'STUDENT CODING' folder?

Can there be a backup folder containing the original coding files placed on the desktop for candidates in case they overwrite the original coding files in the 'STUDENT CODING' folder, and they need to access a fresh copy?

Can we copy the seed files to the 'COMPLETED CODING' folder and rename them then let the candidates work from the 'COMPLETED CODING' folder?

Do we need to pause any network activity during the exam, such as update rollouts?

Is there anything we need to allow in our network/firewalls to allow for this exam to run correctly or to access the materials that are required?

GCSE Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): Preparing For The Examination - Invigilation & Exam Room Setup/Exam Materials

Invigilation & Exam Room Setup

Is there any additional training that the invigilator(s) need to undertake because this is an onscreen test?

What are the invigilation requirements for this exam?

Should the room(s) where the exam is taking place be booked out for the whole day to allow checks on computers ahead of the exam?

This is our first time running an onscreen exam, is there any further guidance on how the exam room should be set up?

Where can I get the Attendance Register (AR5 Form) from?

Exam Materials

What materials does each candidate need on the day of the exam?

We do not have any hard copies of the question paper – what do we do?

When will the hard copies of the question paper arrive at the centre and can the question paper also be downloaded from the Secure Download Service or via the gold-padlock credentials on exam day?

Can you please explain why there were changes and updates to the Programming Language Subset (PLS) document?

Where can I find the Programming Language Subset (PLS)?

When will the coding files be released for the exam and how can I access them?

I cannot download the secure coding files - what do I do?

Can we provide our own printed instructions to candidates on how to save their work in the exam itself or only ahead of time?

How can centres request modified papers?

GCSE Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): During The Examination - Secure User Areas & Exam Materials/Invigilation/Special Requirements & Access Arrangements

Secure User Areas & Exam Materials

Can candidates check and confirm that they can log in to their Secure User Area and locate the coding files & Programming Language Subset (PLS) in their folders at the start of the exam?

The original coding file is no longer accessible for a candidate - can we drop the original coding file back into their Secure User Area?

It's taken a long time to resolve the replacement of the original coding files for a candidate - are they allowed any extra time because of this?

What can the invigilator or IT Technician check if the candidate(s) cannot access the files before contacting Pearson?

What do candidates name their solution files?

If a candidate forgets to rename their solution files and just updates the seed files, will they still get marked?

Can the onscreen calculator be used if a candidate feels it necessary?

Can candidates wear headphones / need headphones for this examination?

Invigilation

Can the subject teacher be present in the room during the exam?

How do we pause the exam should we need to due to unforeseen circumstances?

We have just had: system crash/power cut/hardware/software failure - what do we do?

Special Requirements & Access Arrangements

For candidates who are assisted within the exam, is it expected that the staff supporting them will complete the administration task of saving the files or will the additional time that they are allowed for the exam have to be utilised for this?

As an invigilator, am I able to pause the examination as there is a candidate who needs a rest break due to medical reasons?

GCSE Computer Science: Application of Computational Thinking (1CP2/02): After The Examination - Submission of Candidate Work/Learner Work Transfer/Storage & Archiving Of Candidate Work

Submission of candidate work

When does all the candidate work have to have been submitted by?

What do we do with the candidate solution files once the exam has finished?

Do you have to zip and submit all the folders within each Secure User Area to Learner Work Transfer?

I am the subject teacher for the candidates taking this exam. I appreciate that I can't download files or invigilate but can I be present when the files are uploaded to Learner Work Transfer? The invigilator is nervous about uploading the files, and I would just like to be there to support but not actually upload the files myself.

Are the invigilators permitted to allow time after the exam for candidates (assisted by the IT Technician/Examination Officer) to ensure that all solution files are copied across correctly, or does this have to happen within the exam time?

I am the Examination Officer and Subject Teacher for this exam. I am the only one with access to Learner Work Transfer (LWT); what issues are there regarding me handling the zip files?

Learner Work Transfer (LWT)

How can the candidate zip files be shared for upload onto Learner Work Transfer (LWT)?

What if I can't upload candidate solution files to Learner Work Transfer (LWT)? Is there another way that we can return the candidate files?

Some incorrect documents were uploaded to Learner Work Transfer (LWT) for some of our candidates - can we amend this at all?

Some of the candidate zip files were not transmitted - what do we do?

Storage & archiving of candidate work

How long do we need to keep the copies of the candidates' solution files?

Can the copies of candidates' solution files be stored in a secure folder on the network, or does it have to be one of the mediums mentioned in the Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE)?