OCR

OCR offer two specifications - Gateway Science and 21st Century Science. The later is most commonly used by schools and is the one I describe here. Like other exam boards, there is a Science A, the compulsory GCSE studied, usually, in year 10. Then there is the additional science GCSE which is optional and studied after completing Science A.

21st Century Science A (J630)

There are five assessments:

Unit 1 (A211): Modules B1, C1, P1. 40 min written paper, 16.7% of total marks
Unit 2 (A212): Modules B2, C2, P2. 40 min written paper, 16.7% of total marks
Unit 3 (A213): Modules B3, C3, P3. 40 min written paper, 16.7% of total marks
Unit 4 (A214): Ideas in Context. 45 min written paper, 16.7% of total marks. Questions are largely based on pre-release material.
Unit 5 (219): Practical Data Analysis and Case Study, 33.3% of total marks. This is split between a) a critical analysis of primary data and b) a case study of a topical issue. These are assessed by teachers and externally moderated.

Module details

Module B1: You and Your Genes
Module C1: Air quality
Module P1: The Earth in the Universe
Module B2: Keeping Healthy
Module C2: Material Choices
Module P2: Radiation and Life
Module B3: Life on Earth
Module C3: Food Matters
Module P3: Radioactive Materials

Exam Dates for 2009

Science A (J630)
A211/1 Unit 1 Modules B1, C1, P1 Foundation 40 min Mon 12 Jan. am
A211/2 Unit 1 Modules B1, C1, P1 Higher 40 min Mon 12 Jan. am
A212/1 Unit 2 Modules B2, C2, P2 Foundation 40 min Thu 15 Jan. pm
A212/2 Unit 2 Modules B2, C2, P2 Higher 40 min Thu 15 Jan. pm
A213/1 Unit 3 Modules B3, C3, P3 Foundation 40 min Mon 19 Jan. am
A213/2 Unit 3 Modules B3, C3, P3 Higher 40 min Mon 19 Jan. am

Additional science (J631)

Units 1, 2 & 3, (16.7% each). Objective questions, 40 minutes each.
Unit 4, (16.7%) uses structured questions to focus on three modules, one each of biology, chemistry and physics, with the subject made clear by pre-release material. 45 minutes.
Unit 5, (33.3%) comprises a complete practical investigation task, assessed by teachers, internally standardised and then externally moderated by OCR.

Alternatively, candidates can also achieve GCSE Additional Science A by taking Unit 2 from each of J633 Biology A (A222), J634 Chemistry A (A322) and J635 Physics A (A332) plus Units 4 and 5 from this specification.

Additional Science modules

Module B4: Homeostasis
Module C4: Chemical Patterns
Module P4: Explaining Motion
Module B5: Growth and Development
Module C5: Chemicals of the Natural Environment
Module P5: Electric Circuits
Module B6: Brain and Mind
Module C6: Chemical Synthesis
Module P6: The Wave Model of Radiation

Exam Dates for 2009

Additional Science A (J631)
A215/1 Unit 1 Modules B4, C4, P4 Foundation 40 min Wed 21 Jan. pm
A215/2 Unit 1 Modules B4, C4, P4 Higher 40 min Wed 21 Jan. pm
A216/1 Unit 2 Modules B5, C5, P5 Foundation 40 min Fri 23 Jan. am
A216/2 Unit 2 Modules B5, C5, P5 Higher 40 min Fri 23 Jan. am
A217/1 Unit 3 Modules B6, C6, P6 Foundation 40 min Tue 27 Jan. pm
A217/2 Unit 3 Modules B6, C6, P6 Higher 40 min Tue 27 Jan. pm

A215/1 Unit 1 – Modules B4, C4, P4 Foundation 40 min Wed 20 May pm
A215/2 Unit 1 – Modules B4, C4, P4 Higher 40 min Wed 20 May pm
A216/1 Unit 2 – Modules B5, C5, P5 Foundation 40 min Wed 24 June am
A216/2 Unit 2 – Modules B5, C5, P5 Higher 40 min Wed 24 June am
A217/1 Unit 3 – Modules B6, C6, P6 Foundation 40 min Fri 19 June am
A217/2 Unit 3 – Modules B6, C6, P6 Higher 40 min Fri 19 June am
A218/1 Unit 4 – Ideas in Context Foundation 45 min Thu 4 June am
A218/2 Unit 4 – Ideas in Context Higher 45 min Thu 4 June am

Additional Applied Science (J632)

Exam Dates for 2009

Additional Applied Science A (J632)
A324/1, 2 Unit 1: AP1 Life Care 45 min each Wed 21 Jan. pm
A325/1, 2 Unit 3: AP3 Scientific Detection 45 min each Mon 19 Jan. am
A326/1, 2 Unit 5: AP5 Communications 45 min each Fri 23 Jan. am
A334/1, 2 Unit 2: AP2 Agriculture and Food 45 min each Thu 15 Jan. pm
A335/1, 2 Unit 4: AP4 Harnessing Chemicals 45 min each Thu 15 Jan. pm
A336/1, 2 Unit 6: AP6 Materials and Performance 45 min each Fri 23 Jan. am

A324/1, 2 Unit 1: Life Care (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Fri 12 June am
A325/1, 2 Unit 3: Scientific Detection (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Fri 19 June am
A326/1, 2 Unit 5: Communications (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Wed 24 June am
A334/1, 2 Unit 2: Agriculture and Food (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Fri 12 June am
A335/1, 2 Unit 4: Harnessing Chemicals (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Fri 19 June am
A336/1, 2 Unit 6: Materials and Performance (Foundation & Higher) 45 min each Wed 24 June am