Frequently Asked Questions

Are there different tiers of entry for GCSE Science (Single Award)?
How many units do students have to study in GCSE Science (Single Award)?
How are students assessed for this course?
Can student enter for individual units at different tiers of entry?
Can students re-sit end-of-unit tests?
Are there any prohibited combinations with GCSE Science (Single Award)?
Do students need to learn any mathematical formulae for end-of- unit tests?
What resources are available to help teachers and students of GCSE Science (Single Award)?

Q. Are there different tiers of entry for GCSE Science (Single Award)?

A. Yes, GCSE Science (Single Award) is available at two tiers of entry:
Foundation Tier and Higher Tier. Students sitting the Foundation Tier are eligible for the award of Grades C – G while students sitting the Higher Tier are eligible for the award of Grades A* – D(E)

Q. How many units do students have to study in GCSE Science (Single Award)?

A. In GCSE Science (Single Award), students study the six units listed below:

  • Staying Alive;
  • Human Activity and Health;
  • Chemical Patterns and our Environment;
  • Materials and their Management;
  • Electricity, Waves and Communication; and
  • Road Safety, Radioactivity and Earth in Space.

Q. How are students assessed for this course?

A. Students must sit six end-of-unit tests – one for each unit studied. The end-of-unit tests last 45 minutes and are each worth 12 percent of the final award. There are a maximum of eight questions in each test paper.

Students must also complete an internal assessment component worth 28 percent of the final award. The internal assessment component comprises experimental work set as part of the course. Teachers are responsible for awarding marks but we moderate them. Teachers must submit at least two pieces of work (and a maximum of five) for moderation, per student. Marks must be drawn from distinctly different experiments.


Q. Can student enter for individual units at different tiers of entry?

A. Yes, students can enter for individual units at different tiers of entry. The final award is based on the aggregation of the outcomes from each of the assessment components as detailed in the scheme of assessment.


Q. Can students re-sit end-of-unit tests?

A. Yes, students can re-sit each test an unlimited number of times. The best results for each end-of-unit test are amalgamated into an overall GCSE result. Only one mark can be submitted for individual units.

Marks for individual units may be counted only once to a GCSE award. The results, once awarded, cannot be used again towards a further award of the same qualification at the same level.


Q. Are there any prohibited combinations with GCSE Science (Single Award)

A. Yes, in any one series of examinations a student may not take examinations on this specification together with GCSE examinations in:

  • Biology;
  • Chemistry;
  • Physics;
  • Science (Double Award) and/or
  • Applied Science (Double Award).

Q. Do students need to learn any mathematical formulae for end-of-unit tests?

A. No, all mathematical formulae that are needed will be provided on the test paper and there will be no marks allocated for recall of mathematical formulae.


Q. What resources are available to help teachers and students of GCSE Science (Single Award)?

A. A wide range of support materials is available to help teachers and
students of GCSE Science (Single Award) including: