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

2. How is it organised? Last year you completed half of the new learning for Science A, and have already seen a sample exam paper (your Year 9 exam last May). Last year you completed half of the new learning for Science A, and have already seen a sample exam paper (your Year 9 exam last May). We will complete the new learning during this year and complete controlled assessments before the Easter deadline. We will complete the new learning during this year and complete controlled assessments before the Easter deadline. You will be completing the course by the end of Y10, and will receive your final Science A grade in August 2013. You will be completing the course by the end of Y10, and will receive your final Science A grade in August 2013.

3. How will I be assessed? 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 the 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 the GCSE. You will complete three written exams during this year – Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1, each worth 25% and lasting 1 hour. You will complete three written exams during this year – Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1, each worth 25% and lasting 1 hour. You will also complete at least one ISA – the best marks need to go to the exam board by May. You will also complete at least one ISA – the best marks need to go to the exam board by May.

4. When will I be doing the assessments? You have already learned half of each of the content for the Biology, Chemistry and Physics content of Science A. You have already learned half of each of the content for the Biology, Chemistry and Physics content of Science A. You will complete one exam (worth 25% of the GCSE) covering the Physics topics in January 2013, which can be retaken in June if necessary. You will complete one exam (worth 25% of the GCSE) covering the Physics topics in January 2013, which can be retaken in June if necessary. Two exams covering the Biology and Chemistry topics will be taken in June 2013, but there will be internal assessments throughout the year to prepare you for these. Two exams covering the Biology and Chemistry topics will be taken in June 2013, but there will be internal assessments throughout the year to prepare you for these. We aim to give you two controlled assessments before Easter, with the best ISA marks being submitted by May 2013. We aim to give you two controlled assessments before Easter, with the best ISA marks being submitted by May 2013. You will receive your final Science A grade in the August just before you start Y11. You will receive your final Science A grade in the August just before you start Y11.

5. 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 Science A, at least one if not two exams will need to be from the Higher tier papers. If you are aiming for a B or above in Science A, at least one if not two exams will need to be from the Higher tier papers. 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.

6. What will I do next? Everyone who plans on following Additional Science GCSE or BTEC will complete Science A by the summer of Y10. Everyone who plans on following Additional Science GCSE or BTEC will complete Science A by the summer of Y10. We plan on using revision for the exams to incorporate some of the BTEC tasks, and then in June you will either carry on improving/completing the BTEC tasks, or will start the new learning for Additional Science. We plan on using revision for the exams to incorporate some of the BTEC tasks, and then in June you will either carry on improving/completing the BTEC tasks, or will start the new learning for Additional Science. If you had hoped to follow Additional Science but feel it would be too difficult and would not achieve your potential, you can be placed onto the BTEC pathway. If you had hoped to follow Additional Science but feel it would be too difficult and would not achieve your potential, you can be placed onto the BTEC pathway. We will use internal exam results to help inform your decision, and get you into the correct group for your chosen pathway. We will use internal exam results to help inform your decision, and get you into the correct group for your chosen pathway.

7. What is Additional Science? This follows the same format as Science A, 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 Science A, also with three exams each worth 25% (Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2) and an ISA also worth 25%. 100% of Additional Science GCSE needs to be taken in the summer of Y11. 100% of Additional Science GCSE needs to be taken in the summer of Y11. Unlike Science A you can’t resit any exams, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Unlike Science A you can’t resit any exams, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Additional Science GCSE allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science. Additional Science GCSE allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science.

8. What is BTEC? This is an alternative pathway that is 100% internally assessed, so there are no external exams which suits those who struggle with written examinations. This is an alternative pathway that is 100% internally assessed, so there are no external exams which suits those who struggle with written examinations. The BTEC course grading works on a Pass, Merit and Distinction system. The BTEC course grading works on a Pass, Merit and Distinction system. A Pass grade is equivalent grade points to two GCSE grade Cs; Merit level is equivalent grade points to two grade Bs, or Distinction is equivalent grade points to two grade As. A Pass grade is equivalent grade points to two GCSE grade Cs; Merit level is equivalent grade points to two grade Bs, or Distinction is equivalent grade points to two grade As.

9. 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.