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Guide to GCSE Science (Double Award) (AQA)

The Double Award (Co-ordinated) GCSE course in Science offered by AQA is followed during Years 10 and 11. Each student will therefore gain two GCSE grades in Science on completion of the course. These grades will be identical e.g. BB or A* A* and will be awarded from the total mark for the papers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and the mark awarded for coursework. Each student has ten periods of Science per fortnight.

The aims of this GCSE course are to:

acquire scientific knowledge and understanding;
develop experimental and investigative abilities;
develop an understanding of the nature of science and the development of scientific ideas;
develop an understanding of the technological and environmental applications of science and of the economic, ethical and social implications of these.

During the course, as an integral part, experimental and investigative work will be carried out. This coursework contributes 20% towards the final grade and the terminal examination carries 80% of the marks comprising 26.7% each from the Biology, Chemistry and Physics written papers. There will therefore be three written papers. It is envisaged that all students will be entered for the Higher tier examination which will give access to grades A* A* to EE.

The textbooks used are the ‘Nelson Balanced Science’ books - ‘The Living World’, ‘The Material World’ and ‘The Physical World’. Each student is supplied with a copy of each of these books for the duration of the course.

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