AQA GCSE Combined Science - Trilogy (First examination 2018)
Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes
Foundation Tier
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Higher Tier
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GCSE 9 to 1 grades: a brief guide
Over the last few years GCSE courses have been reformed and these changes are being phased in over a number of years and it will take until summer 2020 for all reformed GCSE subjects to move to the new grade scale. However, most of the subjects taken in large numbers including Science will be graded from 9 to 1 this summer.
There are comparable points at key grades. The bottom of a grade 7 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade A, the bottom of a new grade 4 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade C, and the bottom of the new grade 1 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade G.
A good pass of a grade C is now at least grade 4.
Students studying Combined Science will receive an award worth two GCSEs, consisting of two equal or adjacent grades from 9 to 1 (9-9, 9-8, 8-8, 8-7, 7-7…to 1-1). If the numbers are different, the highest number will always be reported on the left.
There are comparable points at key grades. The bottom of a grade 7 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade A, the bottom of a new grade 4 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade C, and the bottom of the new grade 1 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade G.
A good pass of a grade C is now at least grade 4.
Students studying Combined Science will receive an award worth two GCSEs, consisting of two equal or adjacent grades from 9 to 1 (9-9, 9-8, 8-8, 8-7, 7-7…to 1-1). If the numbers are different, the highest number will always be reported on the left.
So what do these grades look like for science?
Grade 8-8 and above (Higher Tier students only)
To achieve grades 8-8 and above you need to be able to:
- demonstrate relevant and comprehensive knowledge and understanding and apply these correctly to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts using accurate scientific terminology
- use a range of mathematical skills, including recalling, rearranging and combining equations, determining gradients and extrapolating data to perform complex scientific calculations
- critically analyse data from tables, graphs and written descriptions to draw logical, well-evidenced conclusions
- critically evaluate experimental methods and make improvements to practical procedures
- Judge the validity of scientific conclusions and justify your views
Grade 5-5 and above
To achieve grades 5-5 and above you need to be able to:
- demonstrate mostly accurate and appropriate knowledge and understanding and apply these mostly correctly to familiar and unfamiliar contexts, using mostly accurate scientific terminology
- use appropriate mathematical skills to perform multi-step calculations
- analyse data from tables, graphs and written descriptions in order to draw plausible conclusions supported by some evidence
- evaluate experimental methods and suggest improvements to practical procedures
- make sensible comments on scientific conclusions
Grade 2-2 and above
To achieve grades 2-2 and above you need to be able to:
- demonstrate some relevant scientific knowledge and understanding using limited scientific terminology
- perform basic calculations when given the formulas to use
- draw simple conclusions from tables and graphs
- make basic comments relating to how we do experiments in science