About the NEA

Non Exam Assessment (NEA)

The NEA coursework will constitute 20% of your final A Level grade

You will be given minimum assistance from the tutors during your project and must carry out the work independently

Plagiarism or infringement of copyright around code would lead to an automatic U for the ENTIRE qualification

The non-exam assessment (NEA) allows students to develop their practical skills in the context of solving a realistic problem or carrying out an investigation.

The NEA is intended to be as much a learning experience as a method of assessment; students have the opportunity to work independently on a problem of interest over an extended period, during which they can extend their programming skills and deepen their understanding of computer science.

The main focus is your ability to create a programmed solution to a problem

Important Things to Remember

The most important advice that I can give when you a new AQA NEA is:

1. Most of the marks are given for the technical solution of the project. This means that you need to make sure you spend adequate time before starting the project, choosing and appropriate problem to solve that will give you the oppurtunity to demonstrate complex technical skills in Group A.

2. You need to make sure that you are completing the relevant documentation for your project as this will secure and build on what your project is required to do. Do not just concentrate on the code as you may find there are key requirements that you or your third party think of that will be complicated to add later.

3. Make sure you choose a realistic and achievable project that you are capable of completing. If you are interested in the project you are completing there is a greater chance that you will be motivated to overcome any challenges you face while completing the project.

4. Every section of your project depends on the Analysis. It is worth spending the time completing this properly, before you start getting too far into your coding. That way each of your other sections can be led by the Analysis completed.