“AIMS

These are not listed in order of priority.

The aims are to:
1. provide, through well-designed studies of experimental and practical science, a worthwhile educational experience for all students, whether or not they go on to study science beyond this level and, in particular, to enable them to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to

1.1 become confident citizens in a technological world, able to take or develop an informed interest in matters of scientific importance
1.2 recognise the usefulness, and limitations, of scientific method and to appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life
1.3 be suitably prepared for studies beyond Ordinary Level in related pure sciences, in applied sciences or in science-related courses.

2. develop abilities and skills that
2.1 are relevant to the study and practice of science
2.2 are useful in everyday life
2.3 encourage efficient and safe practice
2.4 encourage effective communication.

3. develop attitudes relevant to science such as
3.1 accuracy and precision
3.2 objectivity
3.3 integrity
3.4 inquiry
3.5 initiative
3.6 inventiveness.

4. stimulate interest in and care for the local and global environment.

5. promote an awareness that
5.1 the study and practice of science are co-operative and cumulative activities, and are subject to social, economic, technological, ethical and cultural influences and limitations
5.2 the applications of science may be both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the community and the environment
5.3 science transcends national boundaries and that the language of science, correctly and rigorously applied, is universal
5.4 the use of information technology is important for communications, as an aid to experiments and as a tool for interpretation of experimental and theoretical results. 

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
A Knowledge with Understanding
Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in relation to:
1. scientific phenomena, facts, laws, definitions, concepts, theories
2. scientific vocabulary, terminology, conventions (including symbols, quantities and units contained in ‘Signs, Symbols and Systematics 16–19’, Association for Science Education, 2000 and the recommendations on terms, units and symbols in ‘Biological Nomenclature 4th Edition (2009)’ published by the Institute of Biology, in conjunction with the Association for Science Education)
3. scientific instruments and apparatus, including techniques of operation and aspects of safety
4. scientific quantities and their determination
5. scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and environmental implications.

The subject content defines the factual knowledge that candidates may be required to recall and explain. Questions testing these objectives will often begin with one of the following words: define, state, describe, explain or outline. 

B Handling Information and Solving Problems

Students should be able – in words or by using other written, symbolic, graphical and numerical forms of
presentation – to:
1. locate, select, organise and present information from a variety of sources
2. translate information from one form to another
3. manipulate numerical and other data
4. use information to identify patterns, report trends and draw inferences
5. present reasoned explanations for phenomena, patterns and relationships
6. make predictions and hypotheses
7. solve problems.

These assessment objectives cannot be precisely specified in the subject content because questions testing such skills may be based on information, which is unfamiliar to the candidate. In answering such questions candidates are required to use principles and concepts that are within the syllabus and apply them in a logical, deductive manner to a novel situation. Questions testing these objectives will often begin with one of the following words: predict, suggest, calculate, or determine. 

C Experimental Skills and Investigations
Students should be able to:
1. follow a sequence of instructions
2. select and use techniques, apparatus and materials
3. make and record observations, measurements and estimates
4. interpret and evaluate observations and experimental results
5. plan investigations, select techniques, apparatus and materials
6. evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements.

Weighting of Assessment Objectives
Theory Papers (Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4)
A Knowledge with Understanding, approximately 50% of the marks with approximately 20% allocated to recall.
B Handling Information and Solving Problems, approximately 50% of the marks.

Practical Assessment (Paper 5)
Paper 5 is designed to test appropriate skills in C, Experimental Skills and Investigations.

In one or more of the questions in Paper 5, candidates will be expected to suggest a modification or an extension, which does not need to be executed. Depending on the context in which the modification / extension element is set, the number of marks associated with this element will be in the range of 10% to 20% of the total marks available for the practical test.

SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT
Candidates are required to enter for Paper 1, Paper 5 and two of Papers 2, 3 and 4.

Science (Physics, Chemistry), Syllabus 5076
Paper 1 will be based on the Physics and Chemistry sections of the syllabus.
Paper 2 will be based on the Physics section of the syllabus.
Paper 3 will be based on the Chemistry section of the syllabus.
Paper 5 will be based on the Physics and Chemistry sections of the syllabus.

Science (Physics, Biology), Syllabus 5077
Paper 1 will be based on the Physics and Biology sections of the syllabus.
Paper 2 will be based on the Physics section of the syllabus.
Paper 4 will be based on the Biology section of the syllabus.
Paper 5 will be based on the Physics and Biology sections of the syllabus.

Science (Chemistry, Biology), Syllabus 5078
Paper 1 will be based on the Chemistry and Biology sections of the syllabus.
Paper 3 will be based on the Chemistry section of the syllabus.
Paper 4 will be based on the Biology section of the syllabus.
Paper 5 will be based on the Chemistry and Biology sections of the syllabus.”