GCSE Science from 2016

What are the changes? GCSE Science 2016: What’s changed? From September 2016, there will be two pathways in science that students can take: GCSE (9-1) Biology GCSE (9-1) Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Physics or GCSE (9-1) Combined Science (Double Award) There will no longer be a single GCSE Science qualification

Assessment tiers There will be a new 9-1 grading system, replacing A* - G There will be Foundation and Higher tier examination Foundation will cover 1 – 5 grades Higher will cover 4 – 9 grades

Practical based approach Both GCSE pathways will be examination based. There are no controlled assessments in these new qualification However, students will complete specific experiments which will be tested in their examinations Double Award students will complete 16 practicals, while the Biology, Chemistry and Physics students will complete 24 practicals 15% of each examination will be based on these practicals

Other information Questions assessing students’ use of maths skills will make up 15% of the assessments There will also be some recall of equations required in Physics The new specification includes new content outlined by the Department for Education

Strategies Consolidation of key scientific concepts ‘Workout Wednesday’ Effective AFL within lessons Tracking - analysis of summative testing and targeted intervention Use of past-paper questions to develop both understanding and exam technique Physics equations are now and integral part of maths lessons