GCSE SCIENCE
GCSE provides an integrated course schedule of learning through exploration, scrutiny, and self-reflection. In every class, our teachers emphasize the strategies and processes involved in learning and self-growth, creating a unique opportunity to prepare our students to live thoughtful, creative, and fulfilling lives in a rapidly changing society. Students can either study a Combined Science Course (AQA Trilogy) or Separate Science Course (AQA Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
It's really important that you know what topics you're studying in Science, and what you should be able to do. The links below allow you to download the week-by-week programmes of study, and also the specification from AQA.
Overview of Subjects
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content
Biology
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1. Cell biology
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2. Organisation
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3. Infection and response
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4. Bioenergetics
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5. Homeostasis and response
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6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
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7. Ecology
Chemistry
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8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
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9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
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10. Quantitative chemistry
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11. Chemical changes
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12. Energy changes
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13. The rate and extent of chemical change
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14. Organic chemistry
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15. Chemical analysis
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16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
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17. Using resources
Physics
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18. Energy
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19. Electricity
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20. Particle model of matter
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21. Atomic structure
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22. Forces
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23. Waves
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24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
Assessments
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.
Biology Paper 1
What's assessed
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Biology Paper 2
What's assessed
Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Chemistry Paper 1
What's assessed
Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Chemistry Paper 2
What's assessed
Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Physics Paper 1
What's assessed
Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Physics Paper 2
What's assessed
Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Foundation and Higher Tier
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70 marks
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16.7% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
There is no coursework or controlled assessment in this GCSE.