Exam board: AQA Specification 4421

This course is aimed at students with prior scientific experience wanting to gain a first qualification in chemistry. At Padworth College this is taught in the second year of the GCSE course.

Qualification

Chemistry is a practical subject and practical skills will developed through the course and will be assessed by  an investigative skills assessment and a practical skills assessment during lesson time.
The new specification in chemistry has been designed to make the subject more relevant to the modern world, including work related learning and how science works. It is also rigorous enough to provide a good foundation for those aiming to study A level Chemistry.

Topics covered include:

C2:  How do sub atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substance? How do structures influence the properties and uses of substance? How much can we make and how much do we use? How can we control the rates of a chemical reaction? Do chemical reactions always release energy? How can we use ions in solutions?

C3:  How was the periodic table developed and how can it help us understand the reactions of elements? What are strong and weal acids and alkalis? How can we find the amounts of them in solution? What is in the water we drink? How much energy is involved in a chemical reaction? How do we identify and analyse substances?

Assessment

The GCSE Chemistry consists of four units all worth 25% of the total mark. Units 1-3 are assessed by external exams. Unit 4 is a practically based centre-assessed unit. Unit 1, can be taken in two multiple choice parts in November and March – the content for which will have been studied in the G1 course  The written papers for Unit 2 will be taken in January and Unit 3 in June. Written papers are 45 minutes. It is possible to sit all three papers in June. Units 1-3 can be taken at Foundation or Higher level.  Foundation covers grades G-C and Higher covers grades D- A*.

Entry requirements

Students should be confident in their use of English and have studied Science and Mathematics in G1 or the equivalent.