Assessment

The formal assessment includes a range of styles that reflect the aims of the course: one structured exam paper and two pieces of internally assessed work.

Full details of the assessment objectives and their weightings can be found on the approved specification on the AQA website.

The teaching resources include activities suitable for use as Assessment for Learning exercises.

Unit 3 – SCIS1

A2 Exploring issues

2 hour written paper externally assessed (90 marks)

30% of the total A Level marks

Three strands of the Science in Society course are interwoven: the issues, the science behind the issues, and what study of the issues tells about science and society. Each section of the content considers a topical issue or episode from the history of science which provides the Context for teaching the Science explanation and ideas about How Science Works. There are fewer contexts in this unit compared to the AS Unit 1 so that each topic can be studied at greater depth. The unit includes new science not previously covered at GCSE and more advanced aspects of How Science works. The questions are in two sections. Section A consists of a number of compulsory structured questions in parts requiring short responses; Section B consists of one question requiring continuous prose that is also assessed for Quality of written communication

The examination paper will include a number of compulsory structured questions to assess understanding of the topics, ideas and concepts outlined in Unit 1.

Questions will include comprehension, data analysis and response. Some questions will require longer answers written in continuous prose that is also assessed for Quality of written communication.

A sample exam paper for unit 3 is available on the AQA website.

Unit 4 – SCIS4

Case Study

1½ hour written paper externally assessed (60 marks)

20% of the total A Level marks

All the questions are based upon a set of pre-release Case Study material that are provided for study by May 1st (at least six weeks before the examination). This material consists of written extracts from a number of sources on a scientific or technological issue that is not directly referred to in Modules 1 or 3. Teachers are not expected to discuss the material with candidates before the examination. Some additional source material on the issue is provided in the examination. The questions are in two sections. Section A (about 50%) consists of several questions in parts requiring short responses; Section B (about 50%) consists of two questions, one that requires some explanation of science for a specified audience and one that requires consideration of an issues and argument of a personal view. The continuous prose in Section B is also assessed for Quality of written communication.

A sample exam paper for unit 4 is available on the AQA website.

Last updated: 16 April 2008