Year 9 Welfare Evening Science Support Session 2013

What you should achieve from being here! An overview of the Science pathways. A clear picture of what is required in the Science GCSEs. When your son/daughter's exams are, and how much they are worth. An overview of revision techniques An understanding of what examiners are trying to ask. A hand-out with the key dates, useful websites.

Year 9 All study AQA Core science (B, C, P) in mixed ability (tutor) groups.

Year 10 All study AQA Core & Additional Science (but the rate at which additional is taught depends on ability)

Year 11 Most study AQA further Science. Some will continue to study Additional. Some will study AQA applied (must be hard working students, with good attendance who are not particularly successful at exams)

AQA Examinations in Science Summer 2015 Core (B,C,P) +CAU (25%) Summer 2016 Additional (B,C,P) + CAU (25%) Further (B,C,P) + CAU (25%) Applied paper + CAU (60%)

What has changed in science? Linear terminal examinations. A mixture of content and “How Science Works”, Expect to use equations and give extended explanations. Increased number of marks awarded for correct use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Controlled Assessment Unit (CAU) A practical examination testing the understanding of experimental procedures. For Applied the CAU consists of two assignments.

How do pupils revise? AQA Specification, Revision books and notes, Highlighting, Flash cards/post-its, Posters, Maps from memory, Mind maps, Stepping stones, Answering questions, eLearning (internet based revision sites) & FROG, Setting questions for friends and swapping. (txt, blog, Skype), Teaching others etc

What type of learner is your son/daughter? Are they creative? – mind maps/dance Do they focus with music on? Embed revision notes on songs. Are they organised? – set up a revision timetable with them. Do they like reading? Do they like listening?(audio files on bitesize and Podcasts on Kerboodle). Using Facebook/txt? Send friends questions.

Deciphering examination questions – part (a) The first part of a question is usually a statement or a fact. What is..? State the equation for.. Name (the missing label on the diagram) Such answers usually need only one or a few words, usually including a key science word. Revise by learning the keywords and definitions e.g. Flash cards

Deciphering examination questions – part (b) The next part of the question is usually describing or calculating Describe how... How can.. ? Calculate:- Longer answers; usually a series of events. e.g. First this happens, which makes this happens,..... With calculations; must have the equation, put in the numbers, calculate the answer, have units i.e. you must show your working out! Revise by learning how things work in an order. e.g. Stepping Stones, or have a process as a series of steps on a number of cards that then have to be sorted into the correct order

Deciphering examination questions – part (c) Explain questions:- Why will..? Explain why. Explain how this is possible These are usually the longest answers and often the answer will start with because Revise: by learning the details (but make sure you need to know why) e.g. Mind-map or take your describe process and explain why each process works by including keywords. Get a friend to read out a description of how something works and then tell them WHY something happens at each step.

Deciphering examination questions – part (d) The last part of a question may also be to evaluate something Evaluate/apply Compare and contrast.... To what extent would you agree with...? What are the differences or similarities between..? What are the advantages of using something compared with something else ? These are usually deemed the most difficult questions because you often need to get two things correct to get a mark e.g. Object A does this whereas object B does that Revise by going through the syllabus and knowing what has to be compared. E.g. take two closely related ideas/devices/systems and explain how they are similar and different

Revision guides All available through the Finance office Useful pre-condensed material with questions. Use these to support the revision program. Caution:- Revision guides should not be the sole revision technique as they mainly cater only for the C grade award.

Kerboodle An amazing resource. Textbook, learning and revision tools All students will have an account.

Thank you