Edexcel

Edexcel's new collection of science qualifications is called '360 Science'. It includes GCSEs in Science (compulsory), Additional Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It also includes an Entry Level Certificate in Science, which is at a level below GCSE, and BTEC First Certificate & First Diplomas in Applied Science – specialist work-related qualifications. More information at the Science 360 website.

Here are details of the Science GCSE, which is compulsory and usually studied in year 10, and the optional Additional Science GCSE, usually studied in year 11.

GCSE Science

Internal assessment (40%)
• Assessment of practical skills (10%), where the teacher is assessing the student’s ability to follow instructions, collect data (by taking readings and measurements, making observations and by using ICT) and to present their raw results. Not moderated.
• Assessment activities (3 x 10%), devised by Edexcel, marked by the teacher and externally moderated by an examiner appointed by Edexcel.

External assessment (60%)
• Six tiered multiple-choice tests taken in November, March and June.

Unit B1 a
Topic 1 — Environment
Topic 2 — Genes
Unit B1 b
Topic 3 — Electrical and Chemical Signals
Topic 4 — Use, Misuse and Abuse
Unit C1 a
Topic 5 — Patterns in Properties
Topic 6 — Making Changes
Unit C1 b
Topic 7 — There’s One Earth
Topic 8 — Designer Products
Unit P1 a
Topic 9 — Producing and Measuring Electricity
Topic 10 — You’re in Charge
Unit P1 b
Topic 11 — Now You See it, Now You Don’t
Topic 12 — Space and its Mysteries

GCSE Additional Science

There are two parts - one is compulsory and internally assessed; the other is flexible in terms of internal and/or externally assessed units.

Internal assessment (40%)
• Assessment of practical skills (10%), where the teacher is assessing the student’s ability to follow instructions, collect data (by taking readings and measurements, making observations and by using ICT) and to present their raw results. Not moderated.
• Assessment activities (3 x 10%), devised by Edexcel, marked by the teacher and externally moderated by an examiner appointed by Edexcel. Students are required to submit the best mark for one activity from each of biology, chemistry and physics.

Flexible routes (60%)
Students must attempt two out of the three routes for each of biology, chemistry and physics; each assessment contributes 10%.
• internally-assessed centre-devised
• externally-assessed multiple-choice tiered tests available in November, March and June
• externally-assessed structured tiered examination papers available in November, March and June.

Unit B2
Topic 1 — Inside Living Cells
Topic 2 — Divide and Develop
Topic 3 — Energy Flow
Topic 4 — Interdependence
Unit C2
Topic 5 — Synthesis
Topic 6 — In Your Element
Topic 7 — Chemical Structures
Topic 8 — How Fast? How Furious?
Unit P2
Topic 9 — As Fast as You Can!
Topic 10 — Roller Coasters and Relativity
Topic 11 — Putting Radiation to Use
Topic 12 — Power of the Atom