GCSE Science B

WJEC Science B e-mail Bulletin

Subscribe to be kept informed of news and developments in this subject.

WJEC provides, and will continue to provide, GCSE Science B qualifications which meet the needs of teachers and the requirements of regulators in both England and Wales.

GCSE Science B is an exciting new science qualification offered by WJEC. It offers an alternative context led approach to the delivery of science, as opposed to the more concept led GCSE Science A qualification. The qualification introduces Science in two units through five themes:

Unit 1 Space, Energy and Life

• Our Changing World
• Exploring Space
• Energy for Supporting Lifestyles

Unit 2 Science and Life in the Modern World

• Chemicals for a purpose
• Science for Healthy Living

How is it assessed?

Units 1 and 2 are each assessed through external examination. The Unit 1 examination has a data handling emphasis which is enabled through the use of a pre-release article. The pre-release article will be published approximately one month prior to the examination.There is also a third unit that is assessed through controlled assessment. The controlled assessment will involve practical/investigation work which is related to themes of units 1 and 2. Teachers will be able to download controlled assessment activities each year from the WJEC website.

What about progression?

Successful completion of the GCSE Science B qualification will provide the essential scientific knowledge and skills to enable learners to follow GCSE Additional Science and ultimately A levels in the sciences.The context led approach of GCSE Science B also makes it an ideal introduction to science for learners who want to develop their science in a more vocational context by following GCSE Additional Applied Science or Pathways Certificate Applied Science (QCF).

Can learners do both GCSE Science A and GCSE Science B?

No. Learners should do either GCSE Science A or GCSE Science B. The two specifications are developed from the same GCSE criteria even though they approach the science in quite different ways.

News WJEC linear GCSE Science B approved 

In common with other awarding organisations, WJEC was recently asked to revise GCSE specifications to make the assessment linear

We are pleased to announce that WJEC linear GCSE specification in Science B has been approved by the regulators.

The subject content remains exactly the same. The only difference is that in linear specifications all examinations must be taken at the end of the course. You may view the revised specification here.

Main points:

• ALL centres in England will be required to use linear GCSE specifications from first award in 2014 (first teaching of two-year courses in September 2012).
• In Wales, centres will be able to choose to follow either of the two options available for courses starting from September 2012:
• Linear specifications (first award summer 2014), where candidates sit all their exams at the end of the course.
• Existing unitised specifications, where assessment may be taken in separate units at stages during the course as is currently the case
• WJEC is offering both linear and unitised specifications.

News

March 2013: The pre-release material for Unit 1 June 5th 2013 examination is now available at this link.

Dates for internal assessment standardising CPD for the next academic year will be published shortly. Examination review will be provided online; further details will be issued in due course.

December 2012: Exemplars are available on the secure website. The following links may also prove helpful.

Teacher Guidance: Unit 3 Marking C/A 6 December 2011
Teacher Guidance: Unit 3 Marking C/A Powerpoint December 2011

November 2012: The pre-release material for Unit 1 January 17th 2013 examination is now available at this link.

April 2012: The pre-release material for Unit 1 June 12th 2012 examination is now available at this link.

Key dates

Examinations

GCSE Science B Unit 1 - 5th June 2013

Resources

Please follow this link to obtain the January 2013 Raw / UMS grade boundaries

For further information, please contact:

Brian Harris - Subject Officer
Telephone: 029 2026 5147
E-mail: brian.harris@wjec.co.uk

Sarah Price - Subject Support Officer
Telephone: 029 2026 5103
E-mail: sarah.price@wjec.co.uk