Welcome to Science at Lowton CE High School

AQA 9-1 Science Combined Science Triple Science How to help

revision day c/d top tips Grades Foundation tier or higher tier options. Grades are no longer letters: they have been replaced by numbers 1-9. Grade 5 is considered a good pass (previously the top end of of grade C candidates). Foundation tier papers are awarded a maximum of grade 5. revision day c/d top tips

How it’s assessed Combined Sciences 6 written examinations (2 each for biology, chemistry and physics) each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. Each exam contributes 16.7% of the GCSE score. 2 GCSE grades of equal weighting are awarded.

How it’s assessed Triple Science – this applies to each of biology, chemistry and physics. 2 written examinations lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes each. Each exam contributes 50% of the GCSE score. 1 GCSE grade is awarded.

What is assessed? AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 1) Scientific ideas. 2) Scientific techniques and procedures. AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of: 2) Scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures. AO3: Analyse information and ideas to: 1a) Interpret. 1b) Evaluate. 2a) Make judgements. 2b) Draw conclusions. 3a) Develop experimental procedures. 3b) Improve experimental procedures. 40% 40% 20%

Mathematical skills Combined Science A minimum of 20% of marks will test mathematical skills. Triple Science A minimum of 10% of marks will test mathematical skills in biology; 20% in chemistry; and 30% in physics. Students must be able to recall and apply either 21 or 23 physics equations depending on the GCSE selected. A further 9 equations are given on a sheet inserted into the question papers; students must be able to select and apply these equations.

Other mathematical skills Standard form and order of magnitude calculations. Estimates and significant figures. Averages. Simple probability.   Algebra skills. Graphs.

Required practical tasks There is no longer any classroom based assessment of practical skills. Practical assessment is carried out within the written examinations instead. Students are required to carry out either 21 or 28 specific practical activities depending on the subject selected. The assessment of practical skills will mainly (but not exclusively) be based around these required tasks.

Homework Homework follows school policy and is designed to consolidate the learning that has taken place during lessons. Examples include: Recall (learning key facts). Practice exam style questions. Creative opportunities for consolidation (eg project work based on current Scientific issues). Students will all have access to an online version of their textbook to help them complete homework tasks.

Revision guides Combined Sciences

Revision guides

Revision guides Triple Science