Syllabus: Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition
Syllabus: Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition
Syllabus: Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition
Cambridge O Level
Food and Nutrition
6065
For examination in June and November 2017, 2018 and 2019
This syllabus has been updated. Significant changes to the syllabus are indicated by black vertical
lines either side of the text.
You are strongly advised to read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching
programme.
Cambridge International Examinations retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered Centres are
permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission
to Centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a
Centre.
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Why choose Cambridge?
1.2 Why choose Cambridge O Level?
1.3 Why choose Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition?
1.4 How can I find out more?
1. Introduction
Our programmes set the global standard for international education. They are created by subject experts,
are rooted in academic rigour, and provide a strong platform for progression. Over 10 000 schools in 160
countries work with us to prepare nearly a million learners for their future with an international education
from Cambridge.
Cambridge learners
Cambridge programmes and qualifications develop not only subject knowledge but also skills. We
encourage Cambridge learners to be:
• confident in working with information and ideas – their own and those of others
• responsible for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others
• reflective as learners, developing their ability to learn
• innovative and equipped for new and future challenges
• engaged intellectually and socially, ready to make a difference.
Recognition
Cambridge O Level is internationally recognised by schools, universities and employers as equivalent in
demand to Cambridge IGCSE® (International General Certificate of Secondary Education). There are over
700 000 entries a year in nearly 70 countries. Learn more at www.cie.org.uk/recognition
Our systems for managing the provision of international qualifications and education programmes
for learners aged 5 to 19 are certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard for quality
management, ISO 9001:2008. Learn more at www.cie.org.uk/ISO9001
2 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Introduction
Our aim is to balance knowledge, understanding and skills in our programmes and qualifications to enable
students to become effective learners and to provide a solid foundation for their continuing educational
journey.
Through our professional development courses and our support materials for Cambridge O Levels, we
provide the tools to enable teachers to prepare learners to the best of their ability and work with us in the
pursuit of excellence in education.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge
and understanding of food and nutrition. Successful Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition candidates gain
lifelong skills, including:
• an understanding of nutrition and of health problems related to diet
• an understanding of how socio-economic factors affect diet
• an awareness of how eating patterns and dietary needs depend on age and social group
• an awareness of how the position of the consumer differs in developed and less-developed economies
• the ability to assess the effectiveness and validity of claims made by advertisers
• aesthetic and social sensitivity to dietary patterns
• an interest in the creative aspect and enjoyment of food
• skills necessary for food preparation and food preservation
• the ability to organise and manage family food resources and to use food resources effectively in
everyday life
• knowledge of safety and hygiene requirements.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 3
Introduction
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition is an ideal foundation for further study at Cambridge International
A Level, and the skills learnt can also be used in other areas of study and in everyday life.
Students may also study for a Cambridge O Level in other Social Science subjects such as Agriculture and
Environmental Management. In addition to Cambridge O Levels, Cambridge also offers Cambridge IGCSE
and Cambridge International A Level for further study in Food Studies as well as other related subjects.
See www.cie.org.uk for a full list of the qualifications you can take.
Prior learning
Candidates beginning this course are not expected to have studied food and nutrition previously.
Progression
Cambridge O Level Certificates are general qualifications that enable candidates to progress either directly
to employment, or to proceed to further qualifications.
Candidates who are awarded grades A* to C in Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition are well prepared to
follow courses leading to Cambridge International A Level Food Studies, or the equivalent.
4 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Teacher support
2. Teacher support
You can also go to our public website at www.cie.org.uk/olevel to download current and future syllabuses
together with specimen papers or past question papers and examiner reports from one series.
For teachers at registered Cambridge schools a range of additional support materials for specific
syllabuses is available online from Teacher Support, our secure online support for Cambridge teachers.
Go to http://teachers.cie.org.uk (username and password required).
We have resource lists which can be filtered to show all resources, or just those which are endorsed by
Cambridge. The resource lists include further suggestions for resources to support teaching.
2.3 Training
We offer a range of support activities for teachers to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and skills to
deliver our qualifications. See www.cie.org.uk/events for further information.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 5
Assessment at a glance
3. Assessment at a glance
For the Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition, candidates take two compulsory components: Paper 1
Theory and Paper 2 Practical Test.
Written paper consisting of short-answer questions, structured questions and open-ended essay
questions.
100 marks
Paper 2 Practical Test 2 hours 30 minutes with Planning Session of 1 hour 30 minutes
Candidates have a Planning Session of 1 hour 30 minutes one week before the Practical Test of
2 hours and 30 minutes.
At the start of the Planning Session, candidates are given their allocated test question (as detailed in
the Confidential Instructions) and three Preparation Sheets. At the end of the Planning Session, all
three Preparation Sheets are returned to the Practical Examiner.
At the start of the Practical Test, the Preparation Sheets are returned to the candidate.
100 marks
Availability
This syllabus is examined in the June and November examination series.
Cambridge O levels are available to Centres in Administrative Zones 3, 4 and 5. Centres in Administrative
Zones 1, 2 or 6 wishing to enter candidates for Cambridge O Level examinations should contact Cambridge
Customer Services.
Please note that Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2
Certificate syllabuses are at the same level.
6 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Syllabus aims and assessment objectives
Food and nutrition gives candidates the chance to develop their knowledge and skills in an area that is
relevant to their own lives and also through understanding where food and nutrition fits in the modern,
changing, multi-cultural society. Candidates must apply knowledge gained from the food and nutrition
syllabus and use practical skills in a way that keeps in mind factors such as personal/family needs and
lifestyles, available money and foodstuffs, and how diet relates to health.
The Education Authority, Ministry or Centre/s should be satisfied that there are appropriate facilities and
equipment for the practical component of the assessment. Each candidate should have sole use of a
European-type cooker or stove, a range of basic cooking equipment and access to labour-saving equipment
during the Practical Test.
Basic Equipment
Bowls, scales, measuring equipment, various knives for different purposes, various spoons and spatulas,
baking tins, cake tins, greaseproof paper etc.
Specialised Equipment
Hand whisk, draining spoons, graters, pressure cookers etc.
It is expected that candidates will have access to refrigerators and freezers if possible.
Practical Examiners must be qualified to teach this subject at this level. Education Authorities, Ministries or
Centres must organise their own system of teacher moderation.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 7
Syllabus aims and assessment objectives
8. develop candidates’ ability to make informed judgements and choices about the use of food available to
the family unit in everyday life
9. develop candidates’ awareness of relevant mandatory and other necessary safety and hygiene
requirements.
8 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Syllabus aims and assessment objectives
4.4 Notes
1. During the Practical Test, Centres must allow enough space and satisfactory equipment for each
candidate. Each candidate must have sole use of one European-type cooker or stove.
2. The Practical Examiners must follow an assessment scheme prepared by Cambridge. The generic
content of the Practical Test mark scheme is in section 6.3. Practical Examiners must record the marks
available and the marks awarded on the Practical Test Working Mark Sheet (see section 6.4). The final
marks that the Practical Examiner awards must reflect the requirements of the specific tasks given in
each examination series.
3. The assessment objectives are weighted to show their relative importance. The weightings do not give a
precise statement of the number of marks allocated to particular assessment objectives.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 9
Syllabus content
5. Syllabus content
10 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Syllabus content
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 11
Syllabus content
12 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Practical Test
6. Practical Test
Candidates are given specific test questions according to the Confidential Instructions. They are expected to
complete three Preparation Sheets within the planning time limit of 1 hour 30 minutes.
On the day of the Planning Session for the Practical Test, each candidate is given the specific test chosen
for them and three carbonised Preparation Sheets:
• Choice and Recipes
• Time Plan
• Shopping List } Plan of Work
The Preparation Sheets and the instructions for completion may also be downloaded from
www.cie.org.uk/samples. A copy must be made of each sheet completed by the candidate,
one for the Practical Examiner and one for use by the candidate in the Practical Test.
Time Plan
Candidates must show clearly how they plan to cook their chosen dishes within the time limit of 2 hours 30
minutes. For each dish, they must include methods, cooking times, temperatures, washing up and serving
details. They must show a sensible sequence for serving the dishes (hot, if required) at the end of the test
time. Candidates should list any special points such as special tools, preparation methods and consistencies.
Shopping List
Candidates must list the correct total quantities of all ingredients in the sections for the different
types of foods. In the section for special equipment, they should list items such as cooking dishes,
serving dishes, etc.
At the end of the Planning Session, the Centre should separate the carbonised sheets. Centres should
keep the top copies of all three sheets securely and should make them available to the Practical Examiner.
The Practical Examiner must mark these sheets before the actual cooking.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 13
Practical Test
Centres should keep the Preparation Sheets securely. The duplicate copies should be returned to the
candidates on the day of the Practical Test so that they can be used during cooking. The duplicate sheets
must be collected in at the end of the practical assessment and held securely at the Centre until the
publication of results.
Centres should give the Shopping List to the teacher as soon as it is completed, so that he or she can order
ingredients for each candidate.
To pass, a candidate must work systematically, using a reasonable degree of skill, good methods and
sound recipes. At least half of the resulting dishes should be of a good standard – well served, with good
appearance, consistency, texture and flavour. If the main dishes of the test are inedible, then a pass result
should not be given.
Allocation of marks
Practical Examiners should record the marks on the Practical Test Working Mark Sheet.
14 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Practical Test
Candidates should choose quantities that are appropriate for the number being served.
Examiners should give credit for variety in texture and for inclusion of local fruit and vegetables.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 15
Practical Test
Practical Examiners should consider the following points when deciding on this mark. Cambridge has
provided these sections to guide the Practical Examiner in choosing the total mark for this section.
(a) The candidate’s general approach should be business-like and confident, and should show
that she/he has knowledge and clear understanding of the recipes and methods being used,
as well as good timing and organisation throughout the test. (5 marks)
(b) Manipulation – correct use of tools, skill in handling mixtures, and large and small equipment.
Correct preparation of fish, meat, vegetables, fruit, seasonings and flavourings, etc. Note that
the maximum mark available for manipulation should be reduced for low-skilled dishes. (20 marks)
(c) Judgement of consistencies of various mixtures (for example, scone mixtures, cake mixture, etc.)
before actual cooking. (10 marks)
(d) Good hygienic methods and economy in using fuel and food. (5 + 5 marks)
(e) Oven management – control of heat on top of the stove. Knowledge of correct oven temperatures
and positioning of dishes in the oven. Control of heat in microwave ovens, grills and deep-fat fryers.
(5 marks)
(f) Tidy and methodical work throughout. If a candidate is extremely untidy, then the Practical
Examiner can take off more than 5 marks. If this happens, the examiner should make a comment
on the Practical Test Working Mark Sheet. (5 marks)
When assessing the quality of finished dishes, Practical Examiners should add comments on the
Practical Test Working Mark Sheet about the flavour, texture and edibility of each dish.
16 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Practical Test
Appearance – attractive presentation, tasteful garnishing and decoration. Cleanliness of dishes and
tablecloth. Correct use of doilies and dish papers. Suitable, simple flower arrangement.
One good quality colour photograph of each candidate’s serving table with completed dishes is required
for moderating purposes.
Important note: Examiners must scale the raw mark out of 150 to a mark out of 100.
The Practical Test Working Mark Sheet and the instructions for completion may be downloaded from
www.cie.org.uk/samples
The Practical Test Summary Mark Sheet and the instructions for completion may be downloaded from
www.cie.org.uk/samples
Send the following items to Cambridge, immediately after all the practical sessions have been completed:
• marked top copies of the candidates’ Preparation Sheets
• one completed Practical Test Working Mark Sheet per candidate
• one copy of the Practical Test Summary Mark Sheet per Centre
• a good quality colour photograph of each candidate’s serving table with completed dishes labelled with
the candidate’s number, name and test number.
You can find more detailed information about the Practical Test in the Practical Test Training Handbook.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 17
Practical Test
The internally moderated marks for all candidates must be recorded on the Practical Test Summary Mark Sheet.
This form, and the instructions for completing it, may be downloaded from www.cie.org.uk/samples. The
database will ask you for the syllabus code, (i.e. 6065), and your Centre number, after which it will take you
to the correct form. Follow the instructions when completing the form.
18 Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Other information
7. Other information
The standard assessment arrangements may present unnecessary barriers for candidates with disabilities
or learning difficulties. Arrangements can be put in place for these candidates to enable them to access the
assessments and receive recognition of their attainment. Access arrangements will not be agreed if they
give candidates an unfair advantage over others or if they compromise the standards being assessed.
Candidates who are unable to access the assessment of any component may be eligible to receive an
award based on the parts of the assessment they have taken.
Information on access arrangements is found in the Cambridge Handbook which can be downloaded from
the website www.cie.org.uk/examsofficers
Language
This syllabus and the associated assessment materials are available in English only.
Entry codes
To maintain the security of our examinations, we produce question papers for different areas of the world,
known as ‘administrative zones’. Where the component entry code has two digits, the first digit is the
component number given in the syllabus. The second digit is the location code, specific to an administrative
zone. Information about entry codes can be found in the Cambridge Guide to Making Entries.
Cambridge O Level Food and Nutrition 6065. Syllabus for examination in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 19
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