What is TASC doing to quality assure communications/materials prior to release?
The 2020 External Assessment Specifications were drafted with the External Assessment Advisory Panel, confirmed (in most cases) by the Setting Examiners and then reviewed and verified by the External Assessment Working Group.
TASC apologises for any inconvenience caused where there has been a version control issue on the uploading of documentation.
Can you please clarify why some subjects have had major adjustments made and others have had basically no adjustments? How can this be justified as equitable for students?
Each TASC accredited course has its own work requirements, sequencing requirements, number of modules/units and external assessment structure. In terms of 2020 external assessment adjustments, each course was considered individually through consultation with teachers, the External Assessment Advisory Panel and other TASC stakeholders. The cross sectoral External Assessment Working Group reviewed the adjustments across learning areas to ensure consistency, where possible. Due to the nature of courses and external assessment structures it was essential to assess each course individually rather than applying an overarching adjustment across all TASC courses. However, in all instances all stakeholders involved worked to reach the best outcome within the requirements of course documents and external assessment specifications.
What precisely is TASC doing to support the 2020 cohort of students who have not enjoyed certainty of end of year exam formats that previous years cohorts have enjoyed? Previous cohorts have benefited from clear exam specs and midyear exams that mimic the end of year exam.
TASC responded immediately as the consequences of the pandemic on the 2020 Senior Secondary cohort became evident.
TASC addressed 2020 Course Considerations for courses directly affected by ‘learning from home’ directives and the temporary closure of community events, businesses and organisations. During this process TASC worked with Years 9-12 Learning, Department of Education to consult with the Tasmanian community of teachers, develop frequently asked questions for students and to develop and finalise the 2020 Course Considerations. TASC has also developed FAQs and information for students and schools, accessible from our website. The 2020 External Assessment Specifications are now finalised and TASC has provided advice for students and their teachers via 2020 sample questions and/or advice, where required.
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Australia in Asia and the Pacific (APP315116)
No course specific questions raised
No course specific questions raised
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Ancient History (ANH315117)
No course specific questions raised
Please note, due to a version control error the 2020 Ancient History External Assessment Specifications have been updated. All teachers of the course were provided with a direct link to this document on Friday 7 August 2020.
The Psychology Sample [published Tuesday 21 July] was incorrect, will we receive a new updated version and will it be a full exam sample?
An updated version of the sample question has been published on the TASC website. The 2020 External Assessment sample questions/advice only provide a sample set for clarification, complete sample papers are not being developed. In the case of Psychology past exam papers can support student preparation for the 2020 examination. Please see External Assessment Sample 2020 Psychology for further information.
Why has Psychology not had as many adjustments and/or considerations as other TASC accredited courses?
Each TASC accredited course has its own work requirements, sequencing requirements, number of modules/units and the external assessment structure. In terms of 2020 external assessment adjustments, each course was considered individually through consultation with teachers, the External Assessment Advisory Panel and other TASC stakeholders. The cross sectoral External Assessment Working Group reviewed and verified the adjustments across learning areas to ensure consistency, where possible. Due to the nature of courses and external assessment structures it was important to assess each course individually rather than applying an overarching adjustment across all TASC courses. However, in all instances all stakeholders involved worked to reach to the best outcome within the requirements of course documents and external assessment specifications.
In the case of 2020 external assessment adjustments for Psychology, teachers can be reassured that a number of scenarios and suggestions were considered by the External Assessment Advisory Panel, including removing the investigation project from the external assessment requirements. However, the 2020 external assessment adjustment, to provide two different types of stimulus and simplify the stimuli within the examination was agreed as the best solution. This adjustment offers students more time in the exams as there will there will less complexity in the stimuli for candidates to analyse. The 2020 sample questions/advice provides teachers and students with information about how the adjustment will be applied in the exam.
No course specific questions raised
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Business Studies (BST315116)
No course specific questions raised
No course specific questions raised
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Modern History (HSM315117)
Will there be sample questions for Modern History?
In some cases the Setting Examiner felt the 2020 adjustments to the External Assessment Specifications were best explained through a statement of advice rather than as sample questions. Modern History 2020 advice has been published, no specific sample questions will be published for this course.
TASC has sought advice from the Marking Coordinators for Modern History and they advise that a short answer response for Section C should contain multiple paragraphs and can incorporate dot-points. An introduction or conclusion does not need to be included.
- Students and teachers can be assured that students will not penalised if they include an introduction or conclusion.
- Markers will be focused on rewarding students for their efforts and will not be penalising students for the particular structure in which students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
- As Criterion 4 is not being assessed, students will not be penalised if they do not include direct quotes from primary and secondary sources.
- However, in order to address criterion 7 successfully it is typical for students to discuss the rationale and conclusions of different historians. In this context direct quotations are normally offered or at least paraphrased.
- Although a structured essay is not required, the response is still being assessed against criterion 3. Therefore markers will still be assessing the composition and coherence of the responses.
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Studies of Religion (REL315116)
The only modification to Studies of Religion is that the third essay (Ethics) is now a short answer [response]. Parameters are clear that it is now one issue and one approach religious or philosophical. There are some queries in the difference between short answer response and essay. Would September Moderation be an acceptable venue for the external Marking Co-coordinators to flesh out this nuance?
The 2020 adjustment to the response type for Section C was made with the intention of providing students with more time overall to complete all three sections in the three (3) hour examination.
For Studies of Religion (REL315116) a short answer response for Section C: contains multiple paragraphs, does not require an introduction or conclusion and if students are ‘pressed’ for time can incorporate dot-points.
- Students and teachers can be assured that students will not penalised if they include an introduction or conclusion
- Markers will be focused on rewarding students for their efforts and will not be penalising students for the particular structure in which students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
Moderation is managed by Years 9 -12 Learning, Department of Education. For further information or if you have any questions or suggestions about Moderation visit the Years 11 and 12 website. TASC has passed this suggestion onto the Years 9 – 12 Learning team.
No course specific questions raised
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Legal Studies (LST315117)
When will teachers and students receive confirmation of additional Topical Legal Issues?
TASC notified teachers of Legal Studies, Principals and TLOs of the outcome of this suggestion via email on Tuesday 28 July.
TASC consulted teachers of the course in regards to this proposal and strong concern was raised over this additional change as there is a risk of disadvantage and inequity for students who have already begun their investigation based on the originally published Topical Legal Issues. Due to this feedback TASC will not be updating the Topical Legal Issues for 2020.
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First Nations Studies (TAS315119
No course specific questions raised