Combined Applied Science
WJEC GSCE
The GCSE Applied Science (Double Award) specification utilises a context led approach to science learning and assessment. It provides learners with a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. Pupils study all 3 sciences and will receive 2 GSCE awards, reflecting their attainment across all 3 subjects. The Award in Applied Science enables scientific learning in an applied and engaging context. The qualification has a strong emphasis on practical work, making it ideal for learners who prefer to learn by doing. It stimulates their curiosity and encourages them to develop an understanding of science. BIOLOGY can be used to understand and help solve many contemporary problems e.g. food production, control of pollution, health, plant and animal behaviour. CHEMISTRY is a passport to many jobs such as Forensic Science, developing new drugs, archeology and is essential if considering a career in Medicine. A qualification in PHYSICS can offer the possibility of exciting career prospects in aerospace, engineering, telecommunications and electronics to name but a few fields. Many careers in science necessitate a combination of subjects. Biophysicists for example study the eye and its ability to perceive colours; Astronomers study the stars, planets and outer space; Geologists study rocks, how they were formed and their Chemistry, whilst many branches of medicine are studied by medical scientists specialising in many different fields.
Assessment
ENERGY, RESOURCES and the ENVIRONMENT
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes,22.5% of qualification
A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context.
SPACE, HEALTH and LIFE
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes, 22.5% of qualification
Examination with a pre-release paper. Two sections to the examination. One section will have questions based upon the pre-release and related aspects of the specification. The second section will be based on aspects of the specification not tested in the pre-release section. There will be a mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context.
FOOD, MATERIALS and PROCESSES
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes,25% of qualification
A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context.
TASK BASED ASSESSMENT 20% of qualification
Timed assessment that will be carried out in school, but will be externally marked by WJEC.
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT 10% of qualification
Practical assessment that will be carried out in school, but will be externally marked by WJEC.