1. Year 10 New AQA Triple Science What you will be doing

2. How is it organised? The Triple Science course will give you three separate GCSEs by the end of Y11, one Biology, one Chemistry and one Physics. The Triple Science course will give you three separate GCSEs by the end of Y11, one Biology, one Chemistry and one Physics. You will have to complete all assessments during the summer of Y11, but there will be internal exams to help you prepare throughout the next two years, plus opportunities to complete all controlled assessments at least once. You will have to complete all assessments during the summer of Y11, but there will be internal exams to help you prepare throughout the next two years, plus opportunities to complete all controlled assessments at least once.

3. How will I be assessed? 100% of all assessment must be completed in the summer you receive your final grades (2014). 100% of all assessment must be completed in the summer you receive your final grades (2014). There are no multiple choice papers, each written exam is worth 25% of the GCSE, and the coursework (Investigative Skills Assignment) is a controlled assessment also worth 25% of each GCSE. There are no multiple choice papers, each written exam is worth 25% of the GCSE, and the coursework (Investigative Skills Assignment) is a controlled assessment also worth 25% of each GCSE. You will therefore complete nine written exams each worth 25% and lasting 1 hour in the summer of Y11, with the best marks for each controlled assessment from Biology, Chemistry and Physics being submitted in May 2014. You will therefore complete nine written exams each worth 25% and lasting 1 hour in the summer of Y11, with the best marks for each controlled assessment from Biology, Chemistry and Physics being submitted in May 2014.

4. How difficult is it? There are two tiers of entry for each exam – Higher and Foundation. You can sit either tier for each exam, but there are no tiers for the ISA. There are two tiers of entry for each exam – Higher and Foundation. You can sit either tier for each exam, but there are no tiers for the ISA. If you are aiming for a B or above in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at least one if not two exams from each subject will need to be from the Higher tier papers. If you are aiming for a B or above in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at least one if not two exams from each subject will need to be from the Higher tier papers. Our expectation is that everyone following Triple Science will achieve a minimum of a B in each GCSE. Our expectation is that everyone following Triple Science will achieve a minimum of a B in each GCSE. There is a lot of emphasis on application, with many written answers, some extended, especially in the Higher tier. There is a lot of emphasis on application, with many written answers, some extended, especially in the Higher tier.

5. What will I do next? We plan on monitoring you throughout the year, and expect a high level of focus and independent learning. We plan on monitoring you throughout the year, and expect a high level of focus and independent learning. If you are on the course on probation, we will let you know whether you are performing well enough to stay on the course. If you are on the course on probation, we will let you know whether you are performing well enough to stay on the course. We will use internal exam results to help inform this decision, and if you are struggling we can then get you into the correct group for your chosen pathway. We will use internal exam results to help inform this decision, and if you are struggling we can then get you into the correct group for your chosen pathway. If Triple Science is too difficult or you are not meeting our expectations we can move you into a group which follows Science A then either Additional Science GCSE or BTEC Applied Science. If Triple Science is too difficult or you are not meeting our expectations we can move you into a group which follows Science A then either Additional Science GCSE or BTEC Applied Science.

6. What is Additional Science? This follows the same format as Triple Science, also with three exams each worth 25% (Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2) and an ISA also worth 25%. This follows the same format as Triple Science, also with three exams each worth 25% (Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2) and an ISA also worth 25%. 100% of Additional Science needs to be taken in the summer of Y11. 100% of Additional Science needs to be taken in the summer of Y11. If you have moved from Triple to Science A and Additional, you may have to complete both GCSEs in the summer of Y11, as you may not have been able to complete the coursework component in time to certificate Science A at the end of Y10. If you have moved from Triple to Science A and Additional, you may have to complete both GCSEs in the summer of Y11, as you may not have been able to complete the coursework component in time to certificate Science A at the end of Y10. Once again all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Once again all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Additional Science allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science. Additional Science allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science.

7. What is BTEC? This is an alternative pathway that is 100% internal assessment, so there are no exams. This is an alternative pathway that is 100% internal assessment, so there are no exams. Grading is Pass, Merit or Distinction, with a Pass level being equivalent grade points to two GCSE grade Cs, Merit equivalent to two grade Bs and so on. Grading is Pass, Merit or Distinction, with a Pass level being equivalent grade points to two GCSE grade Cs, Merit equivalent to two grade Bs and so on.

8. Who is BTEC suitable for? This pathway is most suited to those who struggle with exams, or believe that they would not be able to achieve grade C in both Science A and Additional Science. This pathway is most suited to those who struggle with exams, or believe that they would not be able to achieve grade C in both Science A and Additional Science. However, should you want to study A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics you cannot do this after BTEC Applied Science, you must do Additional Science and achieve a minimum of a grade B in that GCSE. However, should you want to study A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics you cannot do this after BTEC Applied Science, you must do Additional Science and achieve a minimum of a grade B in that GCSE. There is a BTEC Level 3 Applied Science which carries grade point equivalence to A Levels as an alternative pathway. There is a BTEC Level 3 Applied Science which carries grade point equivalence to A Levels as an alternative pathway.