Science Assessments

Students are assessed as follows:

Science

Key Stage 3

Three mini End of Topic tests per term.

Combined Science

Key Stage 4

100% written exam and six papers for all students.
Paper 1:  Units 1-3 Biology
Paper 2:  Units 4-6 Biology
Paper 3:  Units 1-3 Chemistry
Paper 4:  Units 4-6 Chemistry
Paper 5:  Units 1-4 Physics
Paper 6:  Units 5-8 Physics

All papers assess the core practicals. There are higher and foundation tiers available for both combined and separate sciences.

Biology

Key Stage 4

Year 9:  Synoptic assessments once a term
Year 10:  Synoptic assessments in the first two terms, followed by full Paper 1 PPE (pre-public exams) in the summer
Year 11:  Synoptic assessments and full Paper 2 PPE (pre-public exams)

GCSE
Paper 1:  Units 1-3 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2:  Units 4-6 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Key Stage 5

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1:  Modules 1-4 (year 1) (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%)
Paper 2:  Modules 5-8 (year 2) (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%)
Paper 3:  Modules 1-8 (both years) (2 hours, 78 marks including 25 mark synoptic essay, 30%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.

Chemistry

Key Stage 4

Year 9:  Synoptic assessments once a term
Year 10:  Synoptic assessments in the first two terms, followed by full Paper 1 PPE (pre-public exams) in the summer
Year 11:  Synoptic assessments and full Paper 2 PPE (pre-public exams)

GCSE
Paper 1:  Units 1-3 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2:  Units 4-6 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Key Stage 5

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1:  Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 2:  Synthesis and analytical techniques (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 3:  Unified Chemistry (1 hour 30 mins, 70 marks, 26%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.

Physics

Key Stage 4

Year 9:  Synoptic assessments once a term
Year 10:  Synoptic assessments in the first two terms, followed by full Paper 1 PPE (pre-public exams) in the summer
Year 11:  Synoptic assessments and full Paper 2 PPE (pre-public exams)

GCSE
Paper 1:  Units 1-4 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2:  Units 5-8 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Key Stage 5

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1:  Modelling Physics (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 2:  Exploring Physics (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 3:  Unified Physics (1 hour 30 mins, 70 marks, 26%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.