SCORE Seminar GCSE Science Examinations Anthony Tomei.

SCORE SeminarGCSE Science Examinations

Anthony Tomei

GCSE Science 2008 Examinations

Dr Colin Osborne

Overview

• Context

• Aims

• Methodology

• Findings

• Possible actions/further work

Context

• New GCSE’s in 2006 with a new rationale

• Expressions of concern over ‘standards’

• STEM programme

• Standards over time

Aims

• Not repeating other work

• Accuracy of the science

• Mathematics

• How Science Works

• Question/response types

• Knowledge required

Methodology

• Expert teachers and scientists

• Analysis grid devised

• Homework

• Moderation to reach a common understanding

• Plenary discussion

Findings(1)

• Science in questions was accurate but mark schemes could have problems

• Criteria at GCSE do not specify mathematics required although some awarding bodies list this in specifications

• Nevertheless most of the mathematics was not tested

Findings(2)

• Wide variation in amount of testing of ‘How Science Works’

• More in Core than Additional Science papers

• Little opportunity for extended writing

• A few examples where knowledge of science or ‘How Science Works’ was NOT required .

Possible Actions /Further work

• Recommendations in the reportScience or How Science Works required for all questions

More and higher level mathematics

More extended writing

Pre-testing of multiple choice questions

• Repeat the exercise

• Extend it to A-level

• Carry out related projects eg in maths

SCORE SeminarGCSE Science Examinations

SCORE SeminarGCSE Science Examinations

Rosalind Mist

rosalind.mist@score-education.org