Aim

Approximately 50% of students will complete the separate GCSE’s in biology, chemistry and physics. If successful, each student will be awarded three separate GCSE’s, each with a separate grade for each science. 

The GCSE science courses consist of two tiers of entry:

• Higher (Grades 9–4)
• Foundation (Grades 5–1)
• 9 is the highest grade available

The exam board is AQA, and the course covers a broader range of content in each separate science, than the combined science GCSE. The extra content means the exams are slightly longer, but provides a broader knowledge base for students wishing to extend their science studies up to A Level.

Assessment

There is no coursework aspect to the courses.

The assessment is six examinations; one subject (two exams) will be sat at the end of Year 10 and the other two subjects will be sat at the end of Year 11:

• Biology paper one: 50% (units 1–4)
• Biology paper two: 50% (units 5–7)
• Chemistry paper one: 50% (units 1–5)
• Chemistry paper two: 50% (units 6–10)
• Physics paper one: 50% (units 1–4)
• Physics paper two: 50% (units 5–8)