Frequently Asked Questions

Our Entry Level Science award is designed for students who have not yet reached Level 3 of the Northern Ireland Curriculum at the end of Key Stage 3 and for whom GCSE and equivalent vocational qualifications are not yet deemed appropriate.

Students are eligible for the award of:

• Entry 1;
• Entry 2; or
• Entry 3

with Entry 3 representing the highest level of award.

The table below outlines how students are assessed:

	Overall Weighting	Coursework	Controlled Tasks	Written Paper
Oral Assessment	10%	10%	-	-
Practical Assessment AT1	25%	25%	-	-
End-of-Unit Tests	40%	-	40%	-
End-of-Course Examinations	25%	-	-	25%

Students must complete oral assessment tasks worth 10 percent of the final award and a practical assessment worth 25 percent.

Students must complete an oral test at the end of each of the six modules. Students answer five questions that test their knowledge and understanding each module.

Teachers must record students marks on the Oral Class Record Sheets (see Appendix A of the specification). We must approve all questions prior to assessment.

Throughout the course, students must complete a number of practical activities. These account for 25 percent of the final award. The practical activities are used to assess students’ ability to:

• plan experimental procedures;
• obtain evidence;
• analyse evidence and draw conclusions; and
• evaluate evidence.

Every time a student carries out an investigation, they are assessed against the skills areas. The best marks scored in each skill area count towards the final coursework marks. For moderation, teachers must present a minimum of two pieces of work per student. The maximum is four pieces of work.

These must include at least one skill area mark from two of AT2, AT3 and AT4.

End-of-unit class tests account for 40 percent of the overall award. The final examination is worth 25% of the award.

Students must complete a written class test at the end of each module. The teacher sets and marks the tests using questions from a list we supply. We moderate the results.

Students are tested on their knowledge and understanding of the module. In some questions, students must also apply their knowledge of skills and processes. Students can re-sit individual class tests but must answer different questions on the module.

The time allowed for each test is 30 minutes.

End-of-unit tests may be read out to candidates. Marks should be recorded on the End-of-Unit Tests Class Record Sheet (Appendix D of the specification). Students can re-sit end-of-unit tests but must attempt new questions from the bank provided by us. Students may not re-sit a test paper they have already attempted.

The final exam is worth 25 percent of the final award. It is set and moderated by us.

Students are tested on their ability to use graphs and apparatus. They must also show they can observe, interpret and apply information and carry out investigations.

Use Graphs

• read information from graphs, tables and charts
• express information as graphs, tables and chart
• use symbols in graphs, tables and charts
• process data from graphs, tables and charts
  

Use Apparatus

• use basic laboratory equipment including measuringinstruments
• carry out practical work in a safe manner
• follow instructions for practical work.
  

Use Observation

• observe accurately; and
• observe similarities and differences.
  

Interpret and apply information

• interpret observations; and
• describe and use patterns in information.
  

Investigate

• devise and describe investigations;
• assess experimental procedures.

The final examination is held in March.

Yes, students cannot be entered for any other science entry level qualification in the same examination series.

Centres must to submit samples of students’ work for moderation in early May of the final year of the course.

For each teaching group, the centre must send samples of work from three students. The sample must reflect the full ability of the group. For each student this must consist of:

• practical work (AT1) to provide evidence of the mark awarded for each of the four skills areas. This must be a minimum of two practical exercises and a maximum of four covering two of AT2, AT3 and AT4;
• end-of-unit tests for all units;
• a copy of the questions used for oral assessment for each unit;
• Oral Class Record Sheets;
• Practical Class Record Sheets;
• Practical Activity Record Sheet; and
• Class Record Sheet.