Science
Level | GCSE |
Exam Board | AQA |
Website | www.aqa.org.uk |
The majority of students will follow the Combined Science GCSE course which covers the three Science disciplines in the traditional fashion, now known as Trilogy. The Combined Science is worth two GCSEs. For a small number of students it will be more appropriate to take three awards in Science separately, Biology, Chemistry and Physics - Separate Sciences or the Entry Level Certificate.
All Science GCSEs have been rewritten in line with government changes and incorporate the new grading system, replacing A*-G with 9-1, 9 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest grade.
The exam is divided into two tiers: the foundation tier covering grades 1-5 and the higher tier covering grades 4-9.
Combined Science
Assessment
Practicals are an essential part of student understanding of scientific theory. Parts of the course content are taught through 16 required practicals; these will be examined in the final examinations and recorded in individual Core practical books.
The qualification has six examination papers at the end of the course - two each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics - all 1¼ hours in length
The papers are equally weighted, each being worth 16.7% of the total mark
Grading
There will be a 17 point grading scale from 9-9, 9-8, 8-8, 8-7 through to 2-1, 1-1
Separate Sciences
Assessment
Biology, Chemistry and Physics are treated as three separate qualifications. Each will be assessed by two examinations of 1¾ hours in length. The papers are equally weighted which means each is worth 50% of the total mark. Parts of the course content are taught through 24 required practicals; these will be examined in the final examinations.
Grading
Biology, Chemistry and Physics will each receive a grading from 9 to 1
Entry Level Science Single Award
Assessment
There are three teacher devised assessments and three externally set assessments, all of which are 45 minutes.
The papers are weighted as follows: the teacher devised assessments being worth 43% and the external assessment is 57% of the total mark
Grading
The will be a 3 point grading scale and students will be awarded Entry Level 1, 2 or 3
Road Maps
- ASDAN Curriculum Planning Overview
- Curriculum Choices 2023 2025
- Education Development Trust LMI Bulletin No 79 June 2021
- Work Experience Presentation
Post-16 Choices
GCSEs in Combined Science or separate Science feed into any of the AS and A-Level Sciences and BTEC Level 3
Applied Science courses
Staff Contacts:
Head of Faculty: Mrs L Bond - lisa.bond@oxted.thpt.org.uk
Deputy Head of Faculty: Mrs K Edwards - katie.edwards@oxted.thpt.org.uk
Biology: Mrs A Driver - amber.driver@oxted.thpt.org.uk
Chemistry: Mr S Browne - samuel.browne@oxted.thpt.org.uk
Physics: Mr J Rycraft – jordan.rycraft@oxted.thpt.org.uk