Y11 Science Examinations
A Guide for Parents & Guardians
February 2015
1
Year 11 Science Examinations
BTEC First Level 1 / Level 2 Applications of Applied Science
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Unit 8 Scientific Skills
Mon
2nd March 2015 AM
Students following the BTEC in Applied Science have already sat their Year 11 exam in March, students who did not
achieve their target grade in March will resit in June.
GCSE Gateway Dual Award Science
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•
Additional Science Unit 1: Modules B3 C3 P3
Additional Science Unit 2: Modules B4 C4 P4
Tue
Fri
9th June 2015 PM
12th June 2015 PM
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Core Science Unit 1: Modules B1 C1 P1– Resit Students Only
Core Science Unit 2: Modules B2 C2 P2– Resit Students Only
Thur
Fri
21th May 2015 PM
5th June 2015 PM
Students following the Gateway Science Dual Award programme have already completed one Core Science GCSE in
year 10 and will sit examinations in Additional Science Unit 1 (B3 C3 P3) and Additional Science Unit 2 (B4 C4 P4) to
gain a second GCSE in Additional Science in year 11. A small number of students are resitting the GCSE from year ten
alongside their year 11 GCSE and will sit examinations in Core Science Unit 1 (B1 C1 P1) and Core Science Unit 2 (B2
C2 P2) as well as Additional Science Unit 1 (B3 C3 P3) and Additional Science Unit 2 (B4 C4 P4).
GCSE Gateway Separate Science - Triple Award
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•
Biology Unit 1: Modules B1 B2 B3
Biology Unit 2: Modules B3 B4 B5
Wed
Fri
20th May 2015 PM
12th June 2015 PM
•
•
Chemistry Unit 1: Modules C1 C2 C3
Chemistry Unit 2: Modules C4 C5 C6
Fri
Mon
5th June 2015 PM
15th June 2015 AM
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Physics Unit 1: Modules P1 P2 P3
Physics Unit 2: Modules P4 P5 P6
Tue
Wed
9th June 2015 PM
17th June 2015 AM
Students following the Triple Science programme will attain three GCSE’s in science one in each scientific discipline.
This is a linear course and students will sit all six examinations this summer.
Structure of the GCSE Gateway Examinations
Unit 1 Examination
Unit 2 Examination
Controlled Assessment
35% of the total GCSE
40% of the total GCSE
25% of the total GCSE
1 hour 15min, 75 Marks
1 hour 30 min 85 Marks
All unit 2 papers contain a 10 mark data analysis question at the end known as section D
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Preparing for Science Examinations
What is Assessed in Science Exams?
Assessment Objective
Knowledge and communication of specification content
Application of scientific understanding and skills knowledge in a new context.
Ability to evaluate data, draw and justify conclusions
Unit 1
46
50
4
% of Exam
Unit 2
40
44
16
This means that if students just learn the content they will only be able to access 40%-46% of the exam papers. The
majority of both exam papers test understanding and application of scientific ideas skills. Therefore when students
prepare for science exams they need to:
• Learn the large knowledge base required for each exam;
• Understand and explain the key scientific ideas and models;
• Practice communicating their ideas clearly using the correct scientific vocabulary;
• Practice analysing and evaluating data;
• Practice the application of mathematical formulae.
How to Prepare for a Science Examination
Subject Content
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Firstly students should identify the content they need to learn, this can be done by making a list of topics
from the text book, revision guide or exam specification.
Get Organised
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•
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Make a revision time table to map out which topics will be revised and when to ensure that everything is
covered in time for the exam.
Ensure that students have revision material in the form of a text book or revision guide to revise from.
Get a book or folder to keep all the revision notes together – use dividers or separate books/folders to
separate revision material for different exams.
Create a quite space to do revision away from music, televisions, mobile phones & computers.
Key words
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The majority of students lose marks in examinations not because they do not know the answer to an exam
question but because they cannot answer it clearly using the right vocabulary. The first thing any student
should do is make a list of all the key words in each topic, look up the definitions then do read, cover check
to commit them to memory. Making flash cards with the key words on one side and definitions on the other
is a good idea.
Learn the Content
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Make key point plus tools, bullet point notes and labelled diagrams to summarise the information for each
topic reducing large bodies of information to a concise outline of the key ideas.
Read, cover, check then swap and test information on key point plus tools, flash cards & pages of notes to
check that it has been learned.
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Don’t waste time comfort learning e.g. making pages of notes on things that easy or already well
understood – focus on the most difficult areas.
Practice the Skills
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Use questions from the text, book revision guide or class work & homework to practice balancing chemical
equations, using physical equations to solve problems, interpreting data from tables & graphs.
Practice writing extended explanations then reread them – does what has been written down make sense?
Dose it contain the expected scientific vocabulary? Does it explain all the ideas listed in the text book or
revision guide for that subject?
Identify Difficulties & Seek Help
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•
Highlight or star any questions that are too hard or explanations in the book, revision book that don’t make
sense.
Go to a revision session with a list of questions or arrange to see a teacher to discuss these difficult ideas.
Ten minutes with a teacher could save hours of struggle.
Use Past Papers & Mark Schemes
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Complete as many past papers as possible as many times as possible using mark schemes to check answers.
This will help students get used to the style of exam questions, test what they really know.
Use the mark schemes and do corrections in a different coloured pen or pencil, this will identify what
students do not know and highlight what the examiners are looking for.
Common Mistakes that Students Make
Mistakes with Revision
Underestimating the size of the task.
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It is never too late to start revising but the earlier that students start, the easier task is. The amount of
information that students are required to remember is enormous and students need time to practice using
this information to solve problems and answer difficult exam questions.
Students should not worry about forgetting information they learnt at the start because they will revisit it
later as they begin to practice exam papers and revision questions.
Working with Distractions
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An hour spent revising with snap chat, Instagram, music or watching television will be far less effective than
twenty well focused minutes with no distractions. Distractions often lead to procrastination.
Comfort Learning
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Revision needs to be focused on what is difficult not what is easy. If students already know something well
they are wasting time if they sit and make further notes on it. A good idea is to highlight a list of subject
content red amber and green to denote how well students understand it. Revision can then be focused on
red and amber areas.
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Struggling
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When students become stuck they should not waste time struggling on. It is best to move onto something
else or take a break and come back to it. If this does not help – make a note of the problem then seek
support from a book, parent, friend or teacher.
Working too hard
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The brain works best when it is well rested. If students become exhausted they are better to leave their
work take a break or have a rest and come back to it at another time.
Staying up late the night before an exam.
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To be successful in an exam students need to be calm and able to think clearly. Students will not be at their
best if they are overtired or overstressed. An early night will be more effective than an extra hours revision.
Mistakes in Examinations
Not Reading Questions Properly
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This is the biggest single cause of students losing marks – usually caused by rushing or anxiety.
Look for the verbs e.g. state, describe, explain, calculate, if a question says describe a calculation will not
score any marks; state means working out or explanation is not necessary.
Underline or list any important information in the question including verbs and numbers. It is often very easy
to miss subtle things such as a time being given in ms instead of seconds.
If an exam question asks students to comment on two or three ideas they must write about all two or three.
Pay special attention to any words written in bold, - it is astonishing how many students do not spot words
in bold.
Take time to analyse data in diagrams, tables and graphs – the answer to the question is often displayed
there. Pay special attention to the labels and units on the axes of graphs and in the headers of tables.
Vague Answers
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Answers must be clear and specific, using the correct scientific vocabulary to identify the object or idea in
question. Answers must avoid vague references such as things and it and should use numbers to quantify
statements where possible.
Always read over answers to check that they make sense – many students on reading their own work will
recognise that what they have written does not make sense. Students should use mark schemes to
familiarise themselves with the key words and phrases that examiners expect.
Calculation Errors
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Students will need to have a calculator for their science exam and be familiar with how to use it. Calculation
errors due to students rushing or not understanding how their calculator processes information often coasts
student’s marks.
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How can Parents / Guardians Help?
Organisation
• Make sure that your son / daughter has all the revision materials & equipment that they need.
o Text books from the school library, revision guides can be purchased online or from book shops.
o Ensure that students have folders, files, pens, highlighters etc to store and organise their revision.
• Prepare a quiet space in the home where your son/daughter can do their work.
• Help them produce a revision timetable
o Map out when their exams are so that revision can be completed in time for each exam.
o Identify when each topic can be revised to ensure all the material is covered in time for each exam.
o Help them stick to their timetable when they lack motivation or want to go off and do other things.
o Build in some breaks and rewards that they can work towards.
Take an Interest
• When your son/daughter has been doing some revision offer to test them to see how much of their notes
they can remember or just listen to how well they can explain it.
Emotional Support
• This is a very daunting and difficult time for students and all children find this difficult.
o Help your son/daughter know when it is time to take a break and when their best is good enough.
o Reassure them that they can do it if they try and that both you and their teacher will do everything
they can to help them.
Useful Information & Links
Revision Guides & Websites
These can be bought from most good bookshops. There are many good revision guides available it is just important
to check that it covers the material specific to the examinations that your son or daughter is sitting: E.g.
• Pearson BTEC First Applications of applied Science
• OCR Gateway Additional Science
• OCR Gateway Biology, Chemistry or Physics
You can also buy revision guides, workbooks with answers, practice papers and mark schemes from:
https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Parent/books_gcse_science
CGP Revision APPS are also available for Iphones, Ipods & Ipads from the Apple APP Store.
There are some excellent free revision websites such as BBC Bitesize
• Additional Science http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/
• Core Science Resits http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/
• Triple Science http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_ocr_gateway/
Exam Papers & Mark Schemes
Students will be given copies of exams and mark schemes in school but you can download and print off extra copies
from the OCR website. http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/download-past-papers/
Then select from the drop down menus: Subject Science; Type GCSE; Qualification Gateway Science, Additional
Science Biology, Chemistry or Physics as required.
Students can also access copies on the school intra net on the y drive under the folders science and gateway exam
papers. Y:\Science\Gateway Exam Papers
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Summary of Topics for Each Examination
Gateway Dual Award GCSE Examinations
GCSE Gateway Additional Science Unit 1 (35% of GCSE)- 1 hour 15 min
B3: Living & Growing
C3: Chemical Economics
Molecules of life
Rates of Reaction
Proteins & Mutations
Reacting Masses
Respiration
Percentage Yield & Atom Economy
Cell Division
Energy
The Circulatory System
Batch or continuous
Growth & Development
Allotropes of Carbon &
New Genes for Old
Nanochemisty
Cloning
Tue
9th June 2015 PM
P3: Forces for Transport
Speed & Average speed
Acceleration
Force & Motion
Work & Power
Gravitational & Kinetic energy
Car Safety / Crumple Zones
Free Fall & Terminal Velocity
Fuel Consumption
GCSE Gateway Additional Science Unit 2 (40% of GCSE) – 1 hour 30 mins
B4: It’s a Green World
C4: Periodic Table
Ecology in the Local Environment
Atomic Structure
Photosynthesis
Ionic Bonding
Leaves & Photosynthesis
Covalent Bonding
Diffusion & Osmosis
Group 1 Elements
Transport & Plants
Group 7 Elements
Minerals for Plants
Transition Elements
Decay
Metals Structure & Properties
Farming
Purifying & Testing Water
Section D: Data Analysis Question
Fri
12th June 2015 PM
P4: Radiation for Life
Static Electricity
Uses of Static electricity
Fuses, Earthing & Circuit Breakers
Current, Voltage Resistance & Power
Ultrasound & X Rays
Radioactivity & Half life
Uses of Radio Isotopes
Fission & Fusion
GCSE Gateway Core Science Unit 1 (Resit Only) 35% of Y10 GCSE – 1hour 15 mins
Thur 21th May 2015 PM
B1: Understanding Organisms
C1: Carbon Chemistry
P1: Energy For the Home
Fitness and health
Making crude oil useful
Specific Heat Capacity & Latent heat
Human health and diet
Using carbon fuels
Keeping homes warm
Staying healthy
Clean air
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The nervous system
Making polymers
Microwave & Infrared Cooking
Drugs and you
Designer polymers
Communicating with Radio & Microwaves
Staying in balance
Cooking and food additives
Light and lasers
Controlling plant growth
Smells
Analogue & Digital Signals
Variation and inheritance
Paints and pigments
Earthquakes & Seismographs
GCSE Gateway Core Science Unit 2 (Resit Only) 35% of Y10 GCSE – 1hour 15 mins
Fri
5th June 2015 PM
B2: Understanding or Environment
C2: Chemical Resources
P2: Living For the Future
Classification
The structure of the Earth
Collecting energy from the Sun
Energy flow
Construction materials
Generating electricity
Recycling
Metals and alloys
Global warming
Interdependence
Making cars
Fuels for power
Adaptations
Manufacturing chemicals: making
Nuclear radiations
Natural selection
ammonia
Exploring our Solar System
Population and pollution
Acids and bases
Threats to Earth
Sustainability
Fertilisers and crop yields
The Big Bang
Chemicals from the sea
Section D: Data Analysis Question
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Separate Science – Triple Award Examinations
GCSE Biology Unit 1 – 1 hour 15 mins (35% of GCSE)
B1: Understanding Organisms
B2: Understanding our Environment
Fitness and health
Classification
Human health and diet
Energy flow
Staying healthy
Recycling
The nervous system
Interdependence
Drugs and you
Adaptations
Staying in balance
Natural selection
Controlling plant growth
Population and pollution
Variation and inheritance
Sustainability
Wed 20th May 2015 PM
B3: Living & Growing
Molecules of life
Proteins & Mutations
Respiration
Cell Division
The Circulatory System
Growth & Development
New Genes for Old
Cloning
GCSE Biology Unit 2 - 1 hour 30mins (40% of GCSE)
B4: It’s a Green World
B5: The Living Body
Ecology in the Local Environment
Skeletons
Photosynthesis
Circulatory systems and the
Leaves & Photosynthesis
cardiac cycle
Diffusion & Osmosis
Running repairs
Transport & Plants
Respiratory systems
Minerals for Plants
Digestion
Decay
Waste disposal
Farming
Life goes on
Growth and repair
Section D: Data Analysis Question
Fri
12th June 2015 PM
B6: Beyond the Microscope
Understanding microbes
Harmful microorganisms
Useful microorganisms
Biofuels
Life in soil
Microscopic life in water
Enzymes in action
Gene technology
GCSE Chemistry Unit 1 – 1 hour 15 mins (35% of GCSE)
C1: Carbon Chemistry
C2: Chemical Resources
Making crude oil useful
The structure of the Earth
Using carbon fuels
Construction materials
Clean air
Metals and alloys
Making polymers
Making cars
Designer polymers
Manufacturing chemicals: making
Cooking and food additives
ammonia
Smells
Acids and bases
Paints and pigments
Fertilisers and crop yields
Chemicals from the sea
Fri
5th June 2015 PM
C3: Chemical Economics
Rates of Reaction
Reacting Masses
Percentage Yield & Atom Economy
Energy
Batch or continuous
Allotropes of Carbon &
Nanochemisty
GCSE Chemistry Unit 2 – 1 hour 30mins (40% of GCSE)
C4: Periodic Table
C5: Quantitative Analysis
Atomic Structure
Moles and molar mass
Ionic Bonding
Percentage composition and
Covalent Bonding
empirical formula
Group 1 Elements
Quantitative analysis
Group 7 Elements
Titrations Gas volumes
Transition Elements
Equilibria
Metals Structure & Properties
Strong and weak acids
Purifying & Testing Water
Ionic equations and precipitation
Section D: Data Analysis Question
Mon 15th June 2015 AM
C6: Chemistry Out There
Electrolysis
Energy transfers – fuel cells
Redox reactions
Alcohols
Depletion of the ozone layer
Hardness of water
Natural fats and oils
Detergents
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GCSE Physics Unit 1 – 1 hour 15 mins (35% of GCSE)
P1: Energy For the Home
P2: Living For the Future
Specific Heat Capacity & Latent heat Collecting energy from the Sun
Keeping homes warm
Generating electricity
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Global warming
Microwave & Infrared Cooking
Fuels for power
Communicating with Radio &
Nuclear radiations
Microwaves
Exploring our Solar System
Light and lasers
Threats to Earth
Analogue & Digital Signals
The Big Bang
Earthquakes & Seismographs
Tue
9th June 2015 PM
P3: Forces for Transport
Speed & Average speed
Acceleration
Force & Motion
Work & Power
Gravitational & Kinetic energy
Car Safety / Crumple Zones
Free Fall & Terminal Velocity
Fuel consumption
GCSE Physics Unit 2 – 1 hour 30 mins (40% of GCSE)
P4: Radiation for Life
P5: Space for Reflection
Static Electricity
Satellites, gravity and circular motion
Uses of Static electricity
Vectors and equations of motion
Fuses, Earthing & Circuit Breakers
Projectile motion
Current, Voltage Resistance & Power Action and reaction
Ultrasound & X Rays
Satellite communication
Radioactivity & Half life
Nature of waves
Uses of Radio Isotopes
Refraction of waves
Fission & Fusion
Optics
Section D: Data Analysis Question
Wed 17th June 2015 AM
P6: Electricity for Gadgets
Resistance in Series & Parallel
Potential Dividers
Transistors Sensing Circuits
Logic Gates
Motors
Generator
Transformers
Diodes, Capacitors & AC Rectifiers.
BTEC First in Level 1/2 Applications of Science
Unit 8: Scientific Skills 1 hour 15mins (25% of BTEC)
Learning Aim A - Planning
Learning Aim B - Analysing
Produce a good plan:
Provide a hypothesis based on
relevant scientific ideas, which
is quantitative or qualitative
where appropriate.
Mon 2nd March 2015 AM
Learning Aim C - Evaluating
Tabulate data in a clear, logical way:
Draw inferences from a conclusion.
Identify anomalous results in tabulated data & Graphs
Comment on the extent to which the
evidence supports the conclusion.
Calculations from tabulated data:
Demonstrate appropriate use of significant figures
and application of the correct level of accuracy.
Comment on the extent to which the
hypothesis is supported by evidence.
Draw graphs, Tables & Charts
Evaluate the method, suggesting
improvements or ways of extending
the investigation to support the
hypothesis further.
Draw lines of best fit on graphs:
Obtain data from a given graph to find a specific value.
Obtain data from a given graph to carry out
calculations.
Explain why anomalous results occur:
Describe the trends and patterns identified in
tabulated data and graphs:
Analyse evidence to draw a conclusion.
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