GCSE in Combined Science A
Board: OCR Syllabus Code: J250
This option offers an alternative to studying separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The specification is divided into topics each covering different key concepts of science. Teaching of practical skills is integrated within the course. Successful completion leads to the award of two GCSEs. This course is most suited to candidates who want a broad appreciation of all three science disciplines but with a slightly reduced content compared to the separate science subjects. Therefore, it is still an excellent preparation to study any of the Sciences at A Level or within the International Baccalaureate Diploma, but students use one less option slot compared to those who study all three sciences separately at GCSE. Read the OCR full specification.
Assessment
Each science subject is assessed by examination at the end of Year 11 with two papers per subject, six examination papers in total. Each paper is seventy minutes long and worth 60 marks. Paper one assesses the first three teaching topics and paper two examines the others, with an assumed knowledge of topics one to three (for details of topics see table below).
Content Overview
The content is designed to be taught in eighteen teaching topics as shown in the table below.
Topic B2: Scaling up
Topic B3: Organism level systems
Topic B4: Community level systems
Topic B5: Interaction between systems
Topic B6: Global challenges
Topic C2: Elements, compounds and mixtures
Topic C3: Chemical reactions
Topic C4: Predicting and identifying reactions and products
Topic C5: Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions
Topic C6: Global challenges
Topic P2: Forces
Topic P3: Electricity and magnetism
Topic P4: Waves and radioactivity
Topic P5: Energy
Topic P6: Global challenges
If you have any queries about this course, please contact:
Head of Science: David Hammond Head of Biology: Gemma Sims Acting Head of Chemistry: Emilia Hicks Head of Physics: Simon Booth
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