Course overview
We will book and pay for your exams and practical sessions on your behalf. These must be taken at our Birmingham exam centre, so please ensure you’re able to travel to this location. The dates for the practical sessions will be during the Easter holidays.
The GCSE Combined Science qualification is a great stepping stone to further study at A-Level, and also ideal for anyone aspiring to a career involving science such as research and development, nursing or pharmacy.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Cell biology
- Ecology
- The periodic table
- Chemical changes
- Electricity
- Atomic structure
Recognition
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
Duration study load
You will have 2 years from the date you receive your materials to complete the GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy course. You will be able to study at your own pace and in your own time without the pressure of tight deadlines.
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Course features
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated student support
- Accreditation
- Final examinations and practical assessments
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Free CV critique service
- Free employability guide to help you impress future employers
- Free XO Student Discounts card
- Comprehensive study guide
- Pen and highlighter*
- Student study planner*
- Student notebook*
- Document wallet*
* Not included with the online study option
Assessment
To successfully pass your GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy you will be assessed across the 3 sciences and the topics covered above. There are 6 exam papers in all; 2 for each science. All papers contain a mix of multiple-choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions.
There are also 3 practical days. Questions in the written exams will draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the practical assessments. These questions will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification.
The exams and practical days are included in the advertised course price.
Course outcome
Upon successful completion of this distance learning course and final exams, you will receive a GCSE in Combined Science: Trilogy from awarding body AQA. This is equivalent to 2 GCSEs.
Exam details
Biology Paper 1
What’s assessed:
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Biology Paper 2
What’s assessed:
Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Chemistry Paper 1
What’s assessed:
Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Chemistry Paper 2
What’s assessed:
Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Physics Paper 1
What’s assessed:
Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Physics 2
What’s assessed:
Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 70 marks
- 16.7% of GCSE
Practical assessments
3 x practical assessment days– these will run over the Easter Holidays and must be attended in the same year you are sitting your exam.
We will book these for you when you are ready.
Although you are assessed formally by exams, you will also be required to submit tutor-marked assignments. These are designed to help you and monitor your progress.
Delivery
This is a distance learning course; to be studied wherever and whenever works best for you. Choose to receive your course materials online or by post – whatever best meets your needs and method of study. You’ll receive full tutor support by email for the duration of the course.
Subjects
- Cell biology
- Organisation
- Infection and response
- Bioenergetics
- Homeostasis and response
- Inheritance, variation and evolution
- Ecology
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
- Quantitative chemistry
- Chemical changes
- Energy changes
- The rate and extent of chemical change
- Organic chemistry
- Chemical analysis
- Chemistry of the atmosphere
- Using resources
- Energy
- Electricity
- Particle model of matter
- Atomic structure
- Forces
- Waves
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
About Open Study College
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