Chemistry - Department of Education · The external assessment for CHM415115 Chemistry consists of a written examination. The ... section Assessment) ... 5.2 Given the species,

Chemistry

Course Code: CHM415115

External Assessment Specifications 2015 – 2018

Tasmanian Qualifications Authority Page 1 of 16

PURPOSE The purpose of the External Assessment Specifications is to provide information about the external assessment that defines:

the external assessable aspects of the criterion standards of CHM415115 Chemistry

the externally assessed course areas

the nature and range of appropriate types of items1, and

the structure of the external assessment. These definitions are to be in sufficient detail that they will serve both as a blueprint, describing all the elements required to develop the assessment, and as a basis for accountability. The External Assessment Specifications are primarily written for use by the setters of the assessment. Whenever a new external assessment is required, the assessment is to comply with these technical specifications. Assessments may differ from year to year within the framework and rules provided by these specifications.

INTRODUCTION The external assessment for CHM415115 Chemistry consists of a written examination. The external assessment is designed to assess the standard of achievement of skills, knowledge and understanding of candidates in targeted course areas. Understanding is assessed by the degree to which both knowledge of principles and theories of Chemistry, and also skills, are applied to a range of item types2 in theoretical or approximated real-world scenarios. The course document CHM415115 Chemistry is the document used for the development of the examination.

OVERALL CONDITIONS

The time/date of the examination are set annually by the Office of TASC

The examination has a duration of three (3) hours

An additional fifteen (15) minutes reading time is given

TASC External Assessment Rule applies to this external assessment. Details of the rule are published

on the TASC website TASC appoints appropriate persons to set and mark assessments.

1 In these specifications, the term item is defined as an individual task to be undertaken by candidates. The task may be divided into several parts.

2 Definitions of relevant assessment item types are given in Attachment 1.

https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/students/exams/rules/

Chemistry


SPECIFIC MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT APPROVED FOR USE BY CANDIDATES

A calculator as approved by TASC (Refer to

The current year’s External Examination Information Sheet approved by the TASC for CHM415115 Chemistry.

ASSESSMENT The following aspects of four (4) of the criteria and their standards described in the course document are externally assessed. These define the expectations for the nature, scope and level of demand of the targeted course content areas.

Criterion 5: identify and apply fundamental principles and theories of electrochemistry All aspects of Criterion 5 are examinable

Criterion 6: identify and apply principles and theories of thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium All aspects of Criterion 6 are examinable

Criterion 7: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter All aspects of Criterion 7 are examinable

Criterion 8: apply logical processes to solve quantitative chemical problems All aspects of Criterion 8 are examinable.

The examination must include items that give opportunities to demonstrate the standards from rating C to rating A. Final results will be awarded as a rating of A, B, C, t or z in the above criteria. These ratings are used in determining the final award according to the algorithm in the course document.

EXAMINATION CONTENT

A representative sample3, encompassing a large proportion of the targeted course areas, is used to test the standard of skills, knowledge and understanding of a candidate

The relative weighting4 of items is indicated by: o relative allocation of marks o suggested time allocations, and o the space5 allocated for responses is a guide

If a numerical response to an item is required for further items, then: o the item takes the form of ‘Show that...’ with the response given to one (1), two (2) or three

(3) significant figures o candidates are usually expected to give their response to three (3) significant figures

3 Representative sample: a subset of the target course content that accurately reflects the total target course content.

4 Relative weighting: the relative emphasis on the assessment of an item compared with other items within a group, that will influence the final result, that is, the rating.

5 Space: a number of lines provided in the item-and-response booklets indicative of the expected extent of responses.

https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/students/exams/what-can-i-take-to-my-exam/

https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/students/exams/what-can-i-take-to-my-exam/

Chemistry


General guidelines for writing items Items are written:

using language/course-specific terminology as outlined in the course document

using unambiguous English language.

EXAMINATION STRUCTURE The examination paper is divided into four parts:

the four parts are in four separate item-and-response booklets

a set of spare diagrams used in each part is provided in the back of the relevant item-and-response booklet.

The following specifications for each part are outlined in Table 1:

the distribution across the parts of: o criteria o course content (topics) o time and mark allocations

number and type of items. Relationships between the examination specifications and the written examination items will be mapped each year. (See Attachment 2.)

Chemistry


Table 1: CHM415115 Chemistry 2015 Examination Structure

Part Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Criterion (see details in the section Assessment)

Criterion 5 Criterion 6 Criterion 7 Criterion 8

Course Topics Fundamental principles and theories of electrochemistry

Principles of thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium

Properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter

Application of logical processes to solve quantitative chemical problems

Number of items From 5 to 7 items, some broken into parts

From 5 to 7 items, some broken into parts



Compulsory items All All All All

Item type(s) (See Attachment 1 for definitions and exemplars)

Context of the item Some extended items are in non-routine contexts. Scenario of the item Some scenarios of items are real-world scenarios. Response format A balance of items ranging from short to extended response formats. Assessment of response Responses range from closed-ended to open-ended.




Suggested time allocation

45 minutes 45 minutes 45 minutes 45 minutes

Mark allocation 40 marks 40 marks 40 marks 40 marks


ATTACHMENT 1 Written Examination Item types In these specifications, the term ‘item’ is defined as an individual task to be undertaken by candidates. The task may be divided into several parts. Item types can be categorised in terms of:

CATEGORY ITEM TYPES AND DEFINTIONS EXEMPLARS

The context of the item

Routine context These items require rehearsed skills in Chemistry, and in familiar contexts.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2012 – Q23 Combined Gas Equation calculation Air that has a volume of 500 mL, a pressure of 99.4 kPa and a temperature of 32˚C is cooled to –15˚C. Calculate the volume of air at this temperature if the pressure is increased to 205.9 kPa. (3 marks)

Non-routine context These items require procedures not previously encountered in expected prior learning activities. These require the combination, and sometimes the selection, of a set of skills in unfamiliar contexts.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2011 – Q27 Non-standard (difficult) empirical formula calculation


The scenario of the item

Real-world scenarios

TCE Chemistry Exam 2014 – Q4 Corrosion of water pipes


The format of response

Short response format These items are composed of a brief prompt that demands a response to some stimulus material that varies from a single response to a few written points. This sort of item is suited to assessing the candidate’s ability to: o recall specific information

and methods related to key content

o apply rehearsed methods to familiar situations

o demonstrate understanding of key concepts in previously unseen stimulus material.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2013 – Q17 Ionization energy


Extended response format These items involve lengthy and/or multi stage responses [of increasing complexity]. Greater complexity may be due to one or more of, but not limited to, the following: o a greater cognitive

demand of Chemistry concepts

o the necessity to select appropriate information

o justification of a response via a logical line of reasoning.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2011 Q4 Electrochemical Cells EMF values


Assessment of response

Closed-ended response These are items for which there is a single ‘correct’ or ‘best’ response.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2013 – Q11 Hess’ Law

Open-ended response

These are items for which there may be multiple correct responses OR in which the quality of the argument and/or the expression is being assessed.

TCE Chemistry Exam 2013 – Q14 Equilibrium – Ammonia synthesis conditions

Chemistry


ATTACHMENT 2 CHM415115 Chemistry Written Examination 2015 Mapping The Setting Examiner designs examination items to adhere to the External Assessment Specifications (see Table 1). During the writing and critiquing of the examination, the Setting Examiner will map the CHM415115 Chemistry examination to the course document and external assessment specifications. This may be achieved through the mapping grids given in Tables 2 – 13. Mapping provides a summary of relationships between examination items and:

item type

relative importance/weighting

content

achievement standard, and

item rating. Mapping is designed primarily to assist the Setting Examiner to:

see at a glance the range of item types, content statements, and achievement standards used in the examination paper, and

check for: o representative sampling, and o adherence to the examination structure specifications.

Checklist The Setting Examiner conducts a final check for adherence of the written examination to the external assessment specifications by completing a checklist. (See Table 14.)


CHM415115 Chemistry 2015 Written Examination Mapping Grids Part 1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles and theories of electrochemistry. Table 2: Criteria being assessed

Criterion 5 Standard Item numbers

Possible ratings of response

5.1 Fundamental principles and theories of electrochemistry

5.2 Given the species, constructs half-equations to balance redox equations, and predicts the reactions occurring between oxidisers and reducers

5.3 uses the electrochemical series to predict the reactions between two species under standard conditions

5.4 Draws a cell diagram and writes half-equations for the reactions at each electrode in familiar electrochemical and electrolytic cells

5.5 Identifies the chemical processes associated with the corrosion of metal, and describes methods to prevent it.

Table 3: Course coverage

Topic Item numbers

Oxidation/reduction

oxidation numbers

Electrochemical cells

Cell potential

Electrolytic cells

Corrosion

Table 4: Item type

Item type Item numbers

Context of the item Some non-routine items

Scenarios of items Some real-world scenarios, stating approximations to reality

Response format Short response format Extended response format

Assessment of response Closed-ended response Open-ended response


Part 2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles and theories of thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium. Table 5: Criteria being assessed



6.1 identifies fundamental principles and theories related to thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium

6.2 constructs and identifies key features of energy diagrams

6.3 discusses variation in reaction rates using collision theory and the concept of catalysis

6.4 identifies a system at equilibrium, and predicts the effects of changes to the system

6.5 performs routine calculations associated with thermochemistry, reaction rates and equilibrium


Topic Item numbers

Thermochemistry

Kinetics

Chemical Equilibrium

Table 7: Item type







Part 3: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter. Table 8: Criteria being assessed



7.1 draws and names organic molecules, including simple aliphatic molecules with one functional group

7.2 identifies variations in the physical and chemical properties of organic molecules containing different functional groups, and uses these properties and data from analytical techniques to identify functional groups

7.3 writes equations for common reactions of organic molecules with a limited range of functional groups

7.4 writes electron configurations for elements using sub-shells, and predicts the charges of ions from the main groups of the Periodic Table

7.5 uses valence theory to identify the periodic variation of the chemical properties of the s and p block elements, and identifies the trends in the behaviour of elements

7.6 identifies observed behaviours of gases using the Kinetic Molecular Theory, and applies the gas laws and gas equations to relevant situations


Topic Item numbers

Gases

Properties and Structures of Organic Materials

Periodic Table

Table 10: Item type




Response format


Short response format Extended response format


Part 4: Apply logical processes to solve quantitative chemical problems Table 11: Criteria being assessed



8.1 performs routine organic and inorganic stoichiometric calculations associated with volumetric analysis for familiar organic and inorganic chemistry

8.2 performs routine stoichiometric calculations to find the mass or volume of reactants or products, including gases

8.3 performs routine calculations associated with electrochemistry

8.4 performs routine calculations associated with thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium (including acid- base equilibrium).


Topic Item numbers

Chemical Stoichiometry

Table 13: Item type







CHECKLIST

Table 14: CHM415115 Chemistry 2014 Written Examination Checklist

Part 1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles and theories of electrochemistry

☐ Assesses all aspects of Criterion 5 ☐ Items give opportunities to demonstrate standards from rating C to rating A ☐ Marks add up to 40 ☐ Includes a representative sample of course content from fundamental principles and theories

of electrochemistry ☐ Included 5 – 7 items, some broken into parts ☐ Some extended items are in non-routine contexts ☐ Some scenarios are real-world with approximations to reality stated ☐ Responses are a balance range from short to extended formats ☐ Responses range from closed-ended to open-ended

Part 2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles and theories of thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium

☐ Assesses all aspects of Criterion 6 ☐ Items give opportunities to demonstrate standards from rating C to rating A ☐ Marks add up to 40 ☐ Includes a representative sample of course content from principles and theories of

thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium

☐ Included 5 – 7 items, some broken into parts ☐ Some extended items are in non-routine contexts ☐ Some scenarios are real-world with approximations to reality stated ☐ Responses are a balance range from short to extended formats ☐ Responses range from closed-ended to open-ended

Part 3: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter

☐ Assesses all aspects of Criterion 7 ☐ Items give opportunities to demonstrate standards from rating C to rating A ☐ Marks add up to 40 ☐ Includes a representative sample of course content demonstrating knowledge and

understanding of properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter


Part 4: Apply logical processes to solve quantitative chemical problems

☐ Assesses all aspects of Criterion 8 ☐ Items give opportunities to demonstrate standards from rating C to rating A


☐ Marks add up to 40 ☐ Includes a representative sample of course content applying logical processes to solve

quantitative chemical problems


Documents

Chemistry - Department of Education · The external assessment for CHM415115 Chemistry consists of a written examination. The ... section Assessment) ... 5.2 Given the species,