AQA ENTRY LEVEL SCIENCE

The specification comprises six components. Each component has two assessments: one externally set and one internally set.

The six components meet the Programme of Study Key Stage 4 requirements:

Biology

1. Component 1- Biology: The human body

2. Component 2 - Biology: Environment, evolution and inheritance

Chemistry

3. Component 3 - Chemistry: Elements, mixtures and compounds

4. Component 4 - Chemistry: Chemistry in our world

Physics

5. Component 5 - Physics: Energy, forces and the structure of matter

6. Component 6 - Physics: Electricity, magnetism and waves

Assessments

There are two different types of assessment.

Externally-set assignments (ESAs) consist of a short written test.
Teacher-devised assignments (TDAs) consist of a short piece of practical work.

SINGLE AWARD

Students studying Entry Level Science – Single Award need only submit evidence for three Teacher-devised assignments plus three externally-set assignments. These do not need to be from the same components.

What is Assessed—Students should submit evidence from at least three of the six components. At least one each from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

How is it Assessed—Externally-set assignment: 45 minutes

Each test is worth 20 marks

weighting 57%

GCSE SINGLE AWARD SCIENCE

New Single Award Science provides pupils the opportunity to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is broken down into four separate units each worth 25% .

Like all GCSE courses, the level of work involved cab be challenging. The course involves a lot of reading learning independently and a good understanding of mathematics. There are fewer experiments in GCSE than at Key stage Three, as the course covers lots of topic that are needed for the modular examinations.

This course is worth 1 GCSE (A* - E) and is taught 5 periods per week.

Unit 1: Biology

Foundation & Higher Tiers

1 hour exam in February of Year 11 worth 25%

Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations

Unit 2: Chemistry

Foundation & Higher Tiers

1 hour exam in November of Year 12 worth 25%

Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations

Unit 3: Physics

Foundation & Higher Tiers:

1 hour exam in June of Year worth 25%

Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations

Unit4: Practical Skills

Practical skills assessment

Foundation & Higher Tiers:

2 Hours

Students carry out 2 pre-release practical tasks in the final year of study

in June of Year 12 worth 25%

GCSE DOUBLE AWARD SCIENCE

Science offers a range of activities which can engage all learners by linking direct practical experience with ideas, developing key skills and encouraging critical and creative thought, through developing and evaluating explanations.

Studying science enables pupils to understand the role of experimental evidence and models in evaluating explanations of phenomena and events. Pupils learn how technologies based on science have been used in industry, business and medicine, and how these developments have contributed greatly to the quality of life for most people.

Year 11 pupils will study the CCEA modular course in GCSE Double award science. The main topics in each subject and when they are assessed are listed in the table overleaf.

GCSE examinations take place for Year 12 in Summer of Year 12.

It is important to remember that Double Award requires a lot of reading and note taking, independent learning and a high level of understanding. The subject is for those pupils who have a sound mathematical understanding and are capable at learning and using equations.

There are less practical experiments in Double Award compared to Single Award!

The scheme of assessment consists of 3 practical skills assessments, a written exam based on practical skills and a terminal examination paper for each of the six taught units. Practical skills 25% Examination 75%.

The final result is awarded as two grades A*A*, A*A, AA, AB, BB, BC or CC and is counted as two GCSE’s.

Double award science provides a satisfactory grounding in GCSE science and preparation for A level science. By taking Double award science, pupils do leave their options open to take one or more of the sciences at A level and beyond.

Biology Unit 1: Cells, Living Processes & Biodiversity

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour exam in November of Year 11 worth 11%

Chemistry Unit 1: Structures, Trends, Reactions & Quantitative Analysis

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour exam in February of Year 11 worth 11%

Physics Unit 1: Motion, Force, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour exam in June of Year 11 worth 11%

Biology Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganism, & Health

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour 15 mins exam in May/June of Year 12 wotth 14%

Chemistry Unit 2: Further Reactions, Rates & Equilibrium, Calculations, Organic

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour 15 mins exam in May/June of Year 12 worth 14%

Physics Unit 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism & Space Physics

Foundation & Higher Tiers:
1 hour 15 mins exam in May/June of Year 12 worth 14%

Unit 7: Practical Skills

Part A - Practical skills assessment. Pupils carry out 3 practicals (1 hour per subject [7.5%])
Part B - External written exam, 30 mins per subject [17.5%]
Nov, Feb, June
Year 12

LIFE AND HEALTH SCIENCES SINGLE AWARD GCE

Examination Board CCEA

AS Level – Core Units:

AS 1: Experimental Techniques

Internal Assessment
Weighting: 33.4% AS, 13.4% A2

AS 2: Human Body Systems

External Written Exam
Weighting: 33.3% AS, 13.3% A2

AS 3: Aspects of Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes

External Written Exam
Weighting: 33.3% AS, 13.3% A2

A2 Level – Core Units

A2 1: Scientific Method, Investigation, Analysis and Evaluation

Internal Assessment
Weighting: 20% A2

A2 2 Organic Chemistry

External Written Exam
Weighting: 20% A2

A2 Level - Optional Units (Only ONE selected):

A2 3 Medical Physics External Written Exam 20% A2
A2 4 Sound and Light External Written Exam 20% A2
A5 5 Genetics, Stem Cell Research and Cloning External Written Exam 20% A2

Subjects