1. GCSE Science from 2016

2. What are the changes? GCSE Science 2016: What’s changed?
From September 2016, there will be two pathways in science that students can take:
GCSE (9-1) Biology
GCSE (9-1) Chemistry
GCSE (9-1) Physics or
GCSE (9-1) Combined Science (Double Award)
There will no longer be a single GCSE Science qualification

3. Assessment tiers
There will be a new 9-1 grading system, replacing A* - G
There will be Foundation and Higher tier examination
Foundation will cover 1 – 5 grades
Higher will cover 4 – 9 grades

4. Practical based approach
Both GCSE pathways will be examination based. There are no controlled assessments in these new qualification
However, students will complete specific experiments which will be tested in their examinations
Double Award students will complete 16 practicals, while the Biology, Chemistry and Physics students will complete 24 practicals
15% of each examination will be based on these practicals

5. Other information
Questions assessing students’ use of maths skills will make up 15% of the assessments
There will also be some recall of equations required in Physics
The new specification includes new content outlined by the Department for Education

6. Strategies
Consolidation of key scientific concepts ‘Workout Wednesday’
Effective AFL within lessons
Tracking - analysis of summative testing and targeted intervention
Use of past-paper questions to develop both understanding and exam technique
Physics equations are now and integral part of maths lessons