Specification

In GCSE Science (Single Award), students are assessed against the three assessment objectives outlined below:

A01: Knowledge and understanding of science and how science works

Students must be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific facts, concepts, techniques and terminology in the specification;
  2. show understanding of how scientific evidence is collected and its relationship with scientific explanations and theories; and
  3. show understanding of how scientific knowledge and ideas change over time and how these ideas are validated.

A02: Application of skills, knowledge and understanding

Students must be able to:

  1. apply concepts, develop arguments or draw conclusions related to familiar and unfamiliar situations;
  2. plan a scientific task, such as a practical procedure, testing an idea, answering a question, or solving a problem;
  3. show understanding of how decisions about science and technology are made in different situations, including contemporary situations and those raising ethical issues; and
  4. evaluate the impact of scientific developments or processes on individuals, communities or the environment.

A03: Practical, enquiry and data handling skills

Students must be able to:

  1. carry out practical tasks safely and skilfully;
  2. evaluate the methods they use when collecting first hand and secondary data;
  3. analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from different sources; and
  4. consider the validity and reliability of data in presenting and justifying conclusions.