A level science update
The purpose of this update is to bring you up to date with the current GCE 2008 Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications.
Final A2 sittings
Firstly, these 3 specifications have their final sitting, of all 6 units, available this summer 2016. There is currently an Ofqual consultation for centres to respond to in order to determine the exact arrangements for a potential resit opportunity for A2 units, i.e. units 4, 5 and 6, in 2017.
GCE Biology
Next month I shall be writing to provide the dates for the posting of the Unit 5 pre-release Scientific Article so that you can download this from the website, just as you do each year, to distribute to candidates before the Easter vacation to allow them to prepare for those questions on written paper 5 in summer 2016.
To get a flavour of the different types of article and the style of questions asked, please visit Scientific Articles and past papers for Unit 5.
GCE Chemistry
Mark Schemes for Units 6CH03 and 6CH06 now available
In line with the rules for practical tasks announced in 2014, new practical activities for Edexcel GCE Chemistry Units 6CH03 and 6CH06 were made available in September 2015 to replace all previous tasks. These new tasks are the only ones valid for submission in May 2016.
You can now find the mark schemes for the practical activities on our website, alongside the relevant tasks. Don't forget that tasks:
- are password protected, and
- can only be downloaded by Exams Officers.
Once downloaded, the tasks must be stored securely, as they are live assessment materials.
If you have any questions about the mark schemes, please send them to our Assessment Team at gce.sciences@pearson.com.
GCE Physics
If you require Unit 3 and 6 briefs for your students, or simply wish to gain ideas for writing your own centre-devised briefs, see the teaching and learning materials for Units 3 and 6.
Resitting of AS and A2 units this summer 2016
If students are resitting any units this summer, then please remember that this summer 2016 is the last sitting of AS units 1, 2 and 3.
When units are resat, then the best score is carried forward to awarding in August 2016.