BSB GCSE Science

Exam Board: EDEXCEL

The Science course we follow is the Edexcel GCSE Science Double Award.   This means that, at the end of the two year course, pupils will receive a double qualification in science, ranging from A*A* to GG.  If a GG is not achieved then the result is unclassified, UU.  The diagram below shows which grades it is possible to achieve in each tier.

The solid lines show the normal range of grades for each tier. The lighter area shows that pupils in the higher tier can go down one grade outside the tier.  This is called an 'allowed grade'.

The Science GCSE is broken down into four different strands as follows:

• Sc1: Experimental and investigative skills

This involves the assessment of four skill areas:  P – planning, O – obtaining and presenting evidence, A – analysing and considering evidence and E – evaluating.

These skills are internally assessed and externally moderated and contribute 20% of the assessment of the whole qualification.  These marks will be drawn from a piece of coursework taken from each of the three sciences.

The Sc1 strand also covers ideas and evidence in science, this accounts for 5% of the whole qualification.  Pupils may be assessed on: how scientific ideas are presented, evaluated and disseminated; how scientific controversies arise from different ways of interpreting empirical evidence; ways in which scientific work may be affected by the contexts in which it takes place; ways of considering the power and limitations of science in addressing industrial, social and environmental questions, including the kinds of questions science can and cannot answer, uncertainties in scientific knowledge and the ethical issues involved.

• Sc2: Life Processes and Living Things
• B1: Humans as organisms
• B2: Green plants as organisms
• B3: Variation, inheritance and evolution
• B4: Living organisms in their environment

• Sc3: Materials and their Properties

• C1: Classifying materials
• C2: Changing materials – formulae and equations
• C3: Patterns of behaviour – in elements and compounds
• C4: Changing materials – useful products
• C5: Patterns of behaviour – in reactions
• C6: Changing materials – the environment

• Sc4: Physical Processes
  

  • P1: Electricity and magnetism
    
  • P2: Forces and motion
  • P3: Waves
  • P4: The Earth and beyond
  • P5: Energy resources and energy transfer
  • P6: Radioactivity

Assessment

Strands 2, 3 and 4 are examined at the end of the two year course in 3 separate 90 minute papers.  The three exams are equally weighted and account for the remaining 75% of the total qualification. 

Any pupil who is willing to work hard and put in the required amount of effort will succeed at GCSE and the Science qualification is accessible to all pupils.