GCSE Science re-take - Exam questions?

StudentD

Hi, I am a mature student re-taking my GCSE Science at a local college. This is not money-related as such, but would really like some knowledge
I had one of my first lessons the other day and the teacher told us about the exams we will be taking.
He told us that there will be 6 exams in total, 3 in March and 3 in June.
He also told us that these exams will all be multiple choices.
Now, this does not seem to be matching what I thought would happen, firstly, I thought there would be only 3 exams in June (chemistry, biology and physics) and I also thought these would be like the GCSE papers I took at school a few years ago and they were not multiple choices.
I did ask a few questions but he said he only knew what he had told us and that’s it.
Does anyone know if this sounds true what he is saying?
The examining board is AQA.
I have tried to look on the web, but not having much luck.

devildog

Son did Chemistry and Biology last year(well result was last year so course was the year leading upto that) and from what I can recall they had modules throughout the year that counted towards their final result and the 'end' exam which did consist of multiple choice answers.

I have a feeling though that the module tests throughout the year(that counted towards exam grade) are no longer applicable and it is just the end of year test results that count.

pandora205

Do you know which of the AQA science GCSE courses you are taking? There are several (Science A, B, Additional and Applied as well as the separate Biology, Physics and Chemistry). Once you know exactly which course (and it's worth asking your tutor for the code number of the course to make sure) when check the specification on the website under 'specification finder':

http://www.aqa.org.uk/

This will give you the full specification, showing the contents of the modules, assessments and timings. There should also be an example of papers for you to look at.

As a parent, I've found it's quite complex finding your way through all of this - It's worth printing out the full specification so you know exactly what is expected and the weighting of each part of the course.

glider3560

Are you taking the sciences as individual GCSEs (i.e. GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics) or as a combined awarded (e.g. GCSE Double Science)?

AQA's Single Science award, called GCSE Science A (4461) is simply just multiple choice questions plus a centre assessed part (i.e. coursework).

StudentD

Thanks for replying guys.

I think I am taking the AQA's Single Science award I think? ... It's just a single GCSE but it includes all 3 sciences.

ultimatedingbat

StudentD its most likely modular science. WE had to do similar across 2 years: modulse in biology chemistry and physics + the coursework

StudentD

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

StudentD its most likely modular science. WE had to do similar across 2 years: modulse in biology chemistry and physics + the coursework

Thanks!

What exactly does modular science mean though?

ultimatedingbat

It basically means it's split into modulse for different parts of the course. Multiple choice makes it a lot easier!

dmg24

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

It basically means it's split into modulse for different parts of the course. Multiple choice makes it a lot easier!

I agree, it seems unbelievable that a GCSE can be awarded on the basis of multiple choice!

(No offence OP, you sound as surprised as me!)

StudentD

Ah right! Thanks guys

but yeh, I'm also pretty shocked that a gcse paper is like that!