General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE
General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE is the qualification test for the age group of fifteen and sixteen-year students. They attempt the test to graduate from the Key Stage 4 phase (Years 10 &11) of secondary education in the UK – England, Wales, and Northern Inland. The GCSE and IGCSE (International GCSE) courses are both two-year courses with students appearing for external examinations at the end of Year 11. Besides, few subjects have a controlled assessment which will tally up towards the final grade. These assessments occur in the school and are completed in the due course. Every pupil will study GCSE courses in English Language and Literature or English as an Additional Language (EAL), Mathematics and Science (Three GCSEs in Biology, Physics & Chemistry or Double Science Award which is equivalent to two GCSEs).
GCSE Science
When it comes to GSCE Science, pupils take Triple Award Science (also called ‘Single Sciences’ or ‘Separate Sciences’) where students study all three sciences and complete three GCSEs.
Double Award Science (also called ‘Trilogy’ or ‘Combined Science’) is where students take up all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) but complete two GCSEs.
This blog is intended for schools and students preparing for GCSE Science examinations. It covers Biology GCSE, Chemistry GCSE and Physics GCSE. Find details below on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Curriculum for GCSE and exam resources.
GCSE Science Curriculum Changes
Recently, there have been significant changes made to the English education system, and in 2016, the British Government announced that the new GCSE and IGCSE qualifications that would be introduced will be graded on a scale from 9 down to 1 instead of the traditional grades A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. These changes have been included with some awarding bodies and subjects making use of the old scale and some the new. Many of the GCSE courses in 2019 shall be graded on a new scale i.e. 9 to 1 scale, however, with the new changes in the offing, it will mean that a few IGCSE subjects will still be graded with the A* to G scale.
GCSE Chemistry Syllabus
Given below are the topics covered by the GCSE chemistry syllabus
Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Atoms, elements and compounds
- Mixtures
- Atomic structure
- The periodic table
- Groups in the periodic table
- Transition metals
Energy changes
- Exothermic and endothermic reactions
- Chemical cells
Quantitative chemistry
- Calculations in chemistry
- Calculations in chemistry (Higher)
- Atom economy, percentage yield and gas calculations
Chemical changes
- Reactions of metals
- Acids, alkalis and salts
- Titrations
- Electrolysis
Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
- The three states of matter
- Ionic compounds
- Small molecules
- Giant covalent molecules
- Metals and alloys
- Nanoscience
The rate and extent of chemical change
- Rates of reaction
- Reversible reactions
Chemical analysis
- Analyzing and identifying substances
- Analyzing substances
Organic chemistry
- Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes
- More organic chemistry
Chemistry of the atmosphere
- Developing the atmosphere
- Polluting the atmosphere
Using resources
- Sustainable development
- Water
- Ways of reducing the use of resources
• Using materials
• Fertilizers
Practical skills
- Importantly, practical skills is required.
The recipe for success of Chemistry subject at GSCE level is to plan your revision in advance of the examination data. The GSCE chemistry syllabus has a numbers of topics to cover, whether that is atoms, chemical reactions, or acid and alkalis. In order to cover all the topics, you are required to find time for enough revision and mock sessions.
GCSE Biology
Students will investigate the below mentioned topics in Biology:
Cell biology
- Transport in cells
- Cell structure
- Cell division
Ecology
- Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
- Adaptations, interdependence and competition
- Decomposition
- Food production
- Trophic levels in an ecosystem
- Organisation of an ecosystem
Organisation
- Animal organisation – gaseous exchange systems, digestion, transport systems
- Plant organisation
- Non-communicable diseases
Bioenergetics
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
Inheritance, variation and evolution
- Reproduction, the genome and gene expression
- Genetic inheritance
- Variation
- Evolution
- Classification of living organisms
Homeostasis and response
- Coordination and control – The nervous system
- Coordination and control – The human endocrine system
- Hormones in human reproduction
- Homeostasis in humans
- Plant hormones
Infection and response
- Communicable diseases
- Treating, curing and preventing disease
- Monoclonal antibodies – Higher
- Plant disease
Practical skills
- Nevertheless, practical skills play a vital role in biology.
GCSE Physics
The below topics are considered in the GCSE Physics Syllabus:
Forces
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Contact and non-contact forces
- Gravity
- Forces and elasticity
- Moments, levers and gears
- Pressure in fluids
- Describing motion
- Forces, acceleration and Newton’s Laws
- Momentum – Higher
Energy
- Changes in energy stores
- Work, power and efficiency
- Energy and heating
- Energy demands
Space physics
- The Solar System
- The life cycle of a star
- The expanding Universe
Particle model of matter
- Density of materials
- Temperature changes and energy
- Particles in gases
Electricity
- Electric circuits
- Mains electricity
- Static electricity
Waves
- Properties of waves
- Transverse and longitudinal waves
- Reflection and refraction
- Sound and ultrasound – Higher
- Lenses
- Black body radiation
Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Electromagnetic induction – Higher
- Magnetic fields
- Transformers – Higher
- Electromagnets
Atomic structure
- Models of the atom
- Atoms, isotopes and ions
- Radioactive decay
- Uses and dangers of radiation
- Nuclear fission and fusion
Practical skills
Of course, practical skills are essential for carrying out a scientific investigation
Learning GCSE Science at Chemistry Bench
Chemistry Bench has a unique one-on-one methodology for learning Science subjects. Especially, for the GSCE Curriculum, we have online classes with an enhanced focus on understanding the various topics and concepts. If needed, even specific modules can be tutored at a much deeper level. In fact, we deploy a tailored, systematic, and procedural approach to ace your grades for the exam.
