GCSE Physics

Ms R Hill - Curriculum Team Leader Science

AQA GCSE Physics Specification

Introduction

In Key Stage 4 students study a common curriculum until part way through Year 10 when they are allocated either to GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) or single sciences. GCSE Physics is a single GCSE taken alongside GCSE Biology and Chemistry (meaning students study triple Science). The GCSE Physics course builds on knowledge learnt from studying physics as a part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum and combined science. It encourages students to explore, explain, theorise and model in physics and develops a critical approach to scientific evidence. Practical skills are embedded in the course as students complete 10 required practicals which develop their ability to follow methods, collect data, analyse data and evaluate practical procedures.

In comparison to physics taught as part of combined science, this course covers a greater breadth of content, allowing students to gain a more in depth understanding of physics across a range of topics.

How is the course examined?

There are two papers and each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. At the end of the course students will be awarded a grade based on their scores across the two papers. Students will either sit Foundation (grade 1-5) or Higher (grade 4-9) exams.

Each exam comprises:

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Paper 1 units

P1 Energy
P2 Electricity
P3 Particle model of matter
P4 Atomic structure

Paper 2 units

P5 Forces
P6 Waves
P7 Magnetism and electromagnetism
P8 Space

How is the course graded?

The course is graded with GCSE grades 1 to 9.

This subject has 2 tiers.

Foundation tier is graded 1 to 5

Higher tier is graded 4 to 9

GCSE Physics Termly Overview

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Equipment

Equipment that students must bring to every science lesson:

Scientific calculator

In Y11, all students must bring their Knowledge Organisers to all lessons. These will be provided by school and must be returned at the end of year 11.

Homework

Homework will be set once a fortnight per teacher (this will take approximately 1 hour). A variety of homework tasks including past exam questions will be set on Google Classroom.

Learning outside of the classroom

After school drop-in Thursday

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