Science – Combined

GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy)

How will the course be taught?

• 5 Science lessons per week
• Topics covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics including compulsory practical work
• Groups may be set or mixed ability
• Students are already following the GCSE programme of study – the work covered now in Year 9 will be assessed in the GCSE exams

What exams are there?

• Terminal, all taken at the end of Year 11 (May-June 2020)
• 6 exams: 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry, 2 Physics; each exam will assess different topics
• Each exam is 1 hour 15 minutes and contains 70 marks
• Each paper is worth 16.7% of the grade
• Exams include multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response questions
• Two tiers of entry: Higher: grades 4-9 Foundation: grades 1-5
• There are a minimum of 30% common marks between Foundation and Higher tiers

What grades can be achieved?

• Combined Science will have a 17 point grading scale, from 9–9 (highest), 9–8 through to 2–1, 1–1 (lowest)
• Teaching staff will guide students into an appropriate tier of entry, based on ability, prior attainment, literacy and numeracy skills

How is Practical work assessed?

• No coursework or controlled assessment
• 16 required practicals covering content in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Students will carry out an experiment which will involve some aspects of the following:

a) Planning, b) Making measurements and observations, c) Interpreting and analysing data, d) Drawing conclusion, e) Evaluating procedures.

• These practicals will be assessed within the exams at the end of the course
• Students who are absent will be given a second opportunity to carry out the practicals, however, good attendance is essential for success
• Numeracy, equations and formulae
• Mathematical skills will be tested at least to the standard of Key Stage 3 Maths in

Foundation Tier papers and Foundation Tier GCSE Maths in Higher Tier papers.

• A minimum of 10% of marks will test mathematical skills in Biology; 20% in Chemistry; and 30% in Physics.
• Students are expected to apply two lists of Physics equations to exam questions covering Physics: one is learned by students and the second is provided as an insert in the question paper.
• All content is assessed by terminal examinations.
• Regular and on-going learning and revision is required to ensure that students make at least good progress throughout the GCSE course and leave with excellent GCSE results.

How we will assess progress?

• In lesson assessment including questioning, mini tests, written work
• Regular end of topic tests
• Required practical work
• Mock exams

What homework can be expected?

Homework set for Science may consist of:

• Revision activities
• Exam style questions
• Century Tech
• Research tasks