Additional Science
Assessment is the responsibility of OCR. See the link on the right to the OCR website.
The assessment of GCSE Additional Science from September 2006 is based on:
- Module tests for each of the modules
- A terminal examination with pre-release stimulus material.
- Internal assessment of practical skills consists of a practical investigation carried out by the student
There are significant differences between the Investigation in Twenty First Century Science and current Double Award.
Firstly, students are only required to demonstrate their skill in one investigation, although pilot schools are generally completing more than one, in order to teach students the skills prior to assessment.
Secondly, students are not required to make a quantitative prediction at the start of the investigation. This removes the need for them to investigate a continuous variable, and thus allows students the opportunity to engage with more open-ended investigations.
This approach to assessing science investigations fosters more genuinely investigative practical work and is easier to mark.
