GCSE Sciences are changing Spring 2011. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved A flexible science suite One GCSE New Science A Two

GCSE Sciences are changing Spring 2011

Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

A flexible science suite

One GCSENew Science A

Two GCSEs

Three GCSEsBiology Chemistry Physics

Other GCSEs Environmental Science

ElectronicsHuman Health and Physiology

New Science B Science in

Context

Additional Science

Additional Applied Science

IGCSE equivalent

Entry Level Science

We’ve maintained flexibility and choice

B1

B2

C1 P1 CAU 1

C2 P2 CAU2

B3 C3 P3

CAUB2/3

CAUC2/3

CAUP2/3

SinC1

SinC2

SinC3

SinCCAU

AAS1

AAS2

Science A

Additional Science

Biology Chemistry Physics

Science B



All units worth 25%

25% 25% 25% 25%

40% 60%

Teaching three separate Sciences over three years


• Year 9 starting in September 2010 or later will not be able to follow the old specification over three years

• Papers for Science A will be available from January 2012

• Papers for Additional Science will be available from June 2012

• Papers for Unit 3 will be available from January 2013

Rule changes that will affect your choices• New 40% terminal assessment rule

– At least 40% of the assessment needs to be in the series when the student is awarded with the GCSE

– Units can be combined in any way to make up 40%

– Combination can be different for different students

• Only one re-sit for each assessment

• These two rules together will mean

you will need to consider when you

schedule the assessments


Need help with the 40% rule?Use the AQA online Assessment Planner at www.sciencelab.org.uk

Choice of two different assessment routes for Science A and Additional Science


Biology

Option one – Assess by subject

PhysicsChemistry CAU

Written paper One1 hour

25 %

Written paper Two1 hour

25 %

Written paper Three1 hour

25 %

Section 1 Up to 45 minutes

Sections 250 minutes

25 %• Written papers available in Jan and June• CAU moderation in January and June• CAU tasks released two years in advance to help you prepare

Choice of two different assessment routes for Science A and Additional Science


Option two – Assess in a combined way

B C P CAU

Section1 up to 45 minutes

Section 250 minutes

25%

Written paper One1 ½ hours

35 %

Written paper Two1 ½ hours

40 %

B C P

• Written papers available in Jan and June• CAU available for moderation in January and June• This model is not available for separate science certification

IGCSE equivalent

• AQA is developing an equivalent to IGCSE• Similar style of examinations with less HSW

and no controlled assessment• Linear route only• Outline plans in the next half term• Assessment dates January and June

Entry Level Certificate• New specification for first award in 2013• Based on National Curriculum• Full references to Science A and

Science B allows co-teaching with GCSE

• 2 biology, 2 chemistry & 2 physics unitsAssessed by:

– ESAs: mini tests taken when theindividual is ready

– TDAs: practical assignments

Centre Assessed Unit – Science A

• 25% of the subject total• Each ISA will include sections on planning, developing

hypotheses, research, carrying out an investigation, analysis and evaluation

• On-screen assessment options being developedfor the CAU


Centre Assessed UnitAdditional & Separate Sciences

• You cannot use unit 1 ISAs to assess additional or separate sciences

• Unit 4 content (CAU) is about 75% the sameas Science, but puts more emphasis on the conclusions and slightly less on the planning

• In Science A, candidates are given a hypothesis; here they must make their own

CAUs – What is different from the current specifications?

• ISAs available each year– In each year there will be:

• one ISA in each of the core units, which can only be used for science

• one ISA in each of the additional science units, which may also be used for the separate sciences

• two ISAs for each of the unit 3s, which can only be used for the separate sciences

• Valid for submission for one year only,but available the year before.

• Moderation twice per year, June and January


New GCSE Science B Science in Context

• Integrated science based on everyday contexts *

• Unit 1 – My World• Unit 2 – My Family and Home• Unit 3 – Making my World a Better Place• Unit 4 – Using Practical and Investigative

Skills


Draft Specifications available

now at sciencelab.org.uk


• 75% External Assessment

• Papers 1, 2 & 3 are 60 minute written papers with a range of question types– Available in November, March and June

• Paper 4 Internal assessment

New GCSE Science B - Science in Context Assessment

New GCSE Science B - Science in Context Controlled Assessment

• 25% Controlled Assessment • Students do one investigation from a choice of 3• Valid for one year only, but available the year

before• Moderation in June only each year• First moderation June 2012



• 40% External Assessment, 60% Controlled Assessment

• Revitalised content based on the application of science in easy to understand contexts

• Higher tier is now indicated


Draft Specifications available

now at sciencelab.org.uk

Additional Applied ScienceUnit 1 – Science at Work

• Following standard procedures• Health and safety at work• The use of science in maintaining health and fitness• The use of science to develop materials for specific

purposes• The use of science in food production• The use of science in analysis and detection


Additional Applied Science Unit 1 – Science at Work

• 40% external assessment• All written papers - closed questions,

structured questions and questions needing longer answers

• 60 marks, 60 minute papers• Assessments available in January and June


Additional Applied Science Unit 2 - How Scientists Use Practical Techniques

60% Controlled assessment• Two assignments• Assignment one: Investigating the work of scientists and

how they use science– gives candidates the opportunity to find out about the work of a

person who uses science in connection with healthcare, food, materials or in analysis of substances


Additional Applied Science Unit 2 - How Scientists Use Practical Techniques

Assignment two:

How scientists use evidence to solve problems– gives candidates the opportunity to solve or respond to a

scientific problem• Students will be able to choose the area of the specification

on which their assignments are based • Assignments one and two reviewed each year

and moderation in January and June


Complete support from AQA

Online(Free)

Print(Free)

Meetings(Free)

BespokeSupport

Personal Support(Free)

• The Science Lab

• Exampro Extra Online (EEO)

• Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)

• GCSE Sciences Library - 7 subject information boxes - Adaptable Schemes of Work - Controlled Assessment Guide - Quality of Written Communication Guide

• Teacher Pack - USB Portable Science Lab

• Preparing to Teach

• New – Online meetings

- teachersupport.sciencelab.org.uk

• Science Subject Team –

08442 090 415

• Regional Science Advisers

• Curriculum Advisers• On site support

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)


Support to manage the changeOur support package helps you to save on both time and budget with:

Course planning – all free

Understand the changes:• Planning Guide• Assessment Planner

Plan your lessons:• Use or adapt our Schemes of Work

Help from subject experts:• Meetings both face to face and online

Teaching resources – all free

Practical guides:• Use Exampro Extra Online to download the latest practical guides and activities

Progress checks:

• Ensure students understand each topic by using our progress checks

Textbooks:• Use the free Specification A textbooks by Nelson Thornes

Assessment preparation – all free

Controlled Assessment• Controlled Assessment Guide• Controlled Assessment Adviser

Exam preparation• Quality of Written Communication Guide• Create your own practise papers through Exampro Extra Online

Budget saving tip:Use the Nelson Thornes mapping document to extend the life of your 2006 textbooks

Budget saving tip:Sign up to teach through The Science Lab and get access to our printed and online resources

Budget saving tip:Before re-sits – analyse students’ results in ERA and then practise the relevant topics in Exampro Extra Online

What is happening when?

January 2011 Free launch meetings, mid January to mid February

March 2011 Preparing To Teach meetings begin

November 2011 First assessment for Science B

January 2012 First assessment for Science A (Unit 1 papers)

June 2012 First certification for Science A and Science BFirst assessment for Additional Science (Unit 2 papers)First moderation for Science A CAUFirst moderation for Science B CAU

January 2013 First assessment for Additional Applied Science and Unit 3 papers for Biology, Chemistry and Physics

June 2013 First moderation for Additional Science and Additional Applied ScienceFirst certification for Additional Science, Additional Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics


• E-mail updates• Exampro Extra

online• AQA Science

Community Forum online

• The AQA Science Library in your school!

• Nelson Thornes materials

• Preparing to teach meetings, 2011

• School visits from a Curriculum Advisor

Sign up to teach with AQA, for…

Local Contact - Plymouth

Edward Holland

Curriculum Advisor, South West

[email protected]

07795 020 696

Ready and able to visit you and the department in school…

Documents

GCSE Sciences are changing Spring 2011. Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved A flexible science suite One GCSE New Science A Two