Making the Grade with Coursework

Recent news items have placed examination coursework and its completion in the national spotlight. Coursework is not only important for succeeding on a variety of courses, but helps to develop a range of skills that are transferable to other areas of life. When asked employers universally say that what they want in their employees is honesty, reliability, enthusiasm, good organisation and self management skills, perseverance and commitment. With thousands of students underway with a number of qualifications that require coursework here is some information that should help explain what they can do to make sure they produce all the coursework that is required effectively, in the least time with the least stress and how parents and carers can support.

Coursework is an important element of nearly every GCSE or GNVQ course. Coursework is the work that is completed at home and in class which contributes to the final grade awarded. It is subject to moderation or checking by an examination board. In most subjects it represents 25% of the total marks available but in some subjects such as art and design and technology it can be much greater, often as much as 60% of the total marks available. The mark a student obtains for coursework can make a big difference to the final grade they obtain in a subject. Good coursework will considerably increase students’ chances of success at GCSE.

Each subject has its own particular type of coursework and requirements. In some subjects it will require researching a topic and writing essays. In others it may involve designing and making an object or composing a piece of music or play. Writing features in all coursework. Whatever the subject there are some key things that will enable students sitting examinations in schools and at college to achieve well in all the coursework they have to complete.

What does coursework involve?

Coursework requirements vary from subject to subject. In English and history for example it will involve writing essays where common themes between different material may be compared and evaluated. In music and drama it may involve composing and performing a piece. In maths and science it may involve investigations and the summarising of results. No matter what the subject however, it will involve some research or collecting of evidence, some summarising of key points and justifying of an idea or opinion and some conclusion and evaluation, A variety of resources including books, newspapers and magazines, the Internet, teachers and other adults can be used to provide information and background research. The gathering and collecting of relevant information usually needs to be completed before key questions can be answered, so needs to be completed early on in the production of coursework.

The Golden Rules.

There are four golden rules to producing good coursework.

1. Take responsibility.

Although teachers and families can and do provide help and encouragement, they cannot do the coursework for a student. Only the student can produce the work that will be graded. It is really important therefore that students take their coursework seriously, put effort into it and complete it to the highest possible standard. Teachers will provide detailed guidance and will monitor the work until it is due in but at the end of the day, students have to do the work. Therefore all instructions should be read carefully so that what is required is understood. If there is something that is not clear, its vital that students ask for help from teachers immediately. By taking control of and responsibility for their coursework, students are already on the road to success. Parents/carers need to be talking to students’ regularly about coursework to ensure that their son or daughter understands its importance.

2. Be organised.

Time needs to be planned in order to avoid future panics and pressure.

3. Keep up to date

This involves hard and regular work. Getting started can sometimes be the most difficult part but as the old proverb says ‘Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today’. The sooner you start, the sooner you will finish. Get into a routine of working for between one and one and a half hours on a piece of coursework at a time. Having drawn up your coursework timetable, stick to it. Tick off or list what you have achieved at the end of every session. It may sound obvious but remember that at the halfway point of the time available for coursework half the coursework should be complete. It’s sometimes easy for students to fool themselves into believing they are working when they are not so parents and carers can support them by checking that coursework is being completed and that timescales are being adhered to. Get help as soon as you need it. Don’t let weeks go by when asking a teacher a question would help sort out a misunderstanding immediately. Teachers will want to check how the coursework is progressing so make sure that the work in progress and completed so far is available to talk through at these times.
If for unforeseen reasons students are worried that they may be falling behind or are in danger of not completing work by the deadline, talk to your teachers at least two weeks before and find out how best to use the remaining time.


4. Meet deadlines


Use time wisely. Final deadlines for handing in coursework will inevitably arrive. Deadlines are deadlines. These will not change. The final deadlines given by the exam board may be different from the dates given by teachers as teachers need time to mark all coursework and get it to the exam boards by the board’s deadline.
It is important that students know when the teacher’s deadline is. In each subject teachers will set clear and realistic deadlines for students. This should be noted immediately. When drawing up a coursework timetable for each subject, plan to finish at least one week before any deadline. There is no problem with finishing before the deadline and handing in work early!

Jackie Boxx, 14-19 Inspector said ‘There is no doubt that succeeding in examinations opens up opportunities for young people. As coursework contributes significantly to the final grade it is important that it is done to the best of a learner’s ability. With coursework the learner has control. It has lessons that will be useful throughout life for everyone.’