SCORE Seminar GCSE Science Examinations Anthony Tomei

GCSE Science 2008 Examinations Dr Colin Osborne

Overview Context Aims Methodology Findings Possible actions/further work

Context New GCSE’s in 2006 with a new rationale Expressions of concern over ‘standards’ STEM programme Standards over time

Aims Not repeating other work Accuracy of the science Mathematics How Science Works Question/response types Knowledge required

Methodology Expert teachers and scientists Analysis grid devised Homework Moderation to reach a common understanding Plenary discussion

Findings(1) Science in questions was accurate but mark schemes could have problems Criteria at GCSE do not specify mathematics required although some awarding bodies list this in specifications Nevertheless most of the mathematics was not tested

Findings(2) Wide variation in amount of testing of ‘How Science Works’ More in Core than Additional Science papers Little opportunity for extended writing A few examples where knowledge of science or ‘How Science Works’ was NOT required.

Possible Actions /Further work Recommendations in the report Science or How Science Works required for all questions More and higher level mathematics More extended writing Pre-testing of multiple choice questions Repeat the exercise Extend it to A-level Carry out related projects eg in maths

SCORE Seminar GCSE Science Examinations

Rosalind Mist