Exam board: AQA Specification 4462

This is the first part of the suite of GCSE Science subjects.   It is compulsory for all students and forms the prerequisite to study separate science GCSE’s in the second year of the course.

Qualification

This is an exciting new approach to the basics in science. It is science for the sustainable world and should captivate the students.

The programme of study includes the following topics: healthy eating, drug abuse, controlling infectious diseases, co-ordination and control, how people affect the planet, variation, evolution, adaptation to survival, crude oil, rocks and building, rocks and metals, products from oil, plant oils, the changing world, heat transfer, using energy, electrical energy, generating electricity, electromagnetic waves, radioactivity, and the origins of the Universe.

Assessment

The scheme of assessment comprises two components:  Investigative skills assessment which accounts for 25% of the marks and six multiple choice modules which account for 75% of the marks. The externally marked units are available in November, March and June and can be sat at Foundation or Higher level – Foundation covers grades G-C and Higher covers grades D- A*.    The practical assessments take place throughout the course and can support either tier.

Entry requirements

Students should be confident in their use of English and have studied Science and Mathematics to the equivalent of KS3 level.