Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are our most frequently asked questions. To skip to the relevant section select one of the following options:
Specifications
Will Additional Applied Science be counted as a part of the Science component for the English Baccalaureate?
No the DFE Performance Data Unit has confirmed that Additional Applied Science will not be counted as a part of the Science component for the English Baccalaureate.
How will students qualify for the component of the English Baccalaureate?
Below are ways we expect students will be able to qualify for the Science component of the English Bacc with AQA from 2012/13.
Certification available from 2012/13:
- Achieve A* to C grades in both of the following (certification available from 2012):
- AQA GCSE Science A or Science B
- AQA GCSE Additional Science.
Or - Enter all three of the new single sciences (certification available from 2013). Achieve A* to C grades in at least two of them.
Resources
What resources for the new GCSE sciences are available on The Science Lab?
At present you will find our accredited specifications, Specimen Papers, Mark Schemes and Controlled Assessment Units (CAUs) in our Resources Pages. An extensive range of free resources are also available soon with our Exampro Extra Online service. Try EEO now.
Exampro Extra Online
How can I get access to Exampro Extra Online?
You can access Exampro Extra Online via e-AQA. e-AQA gives authorised staff at centres direct access to information related to their centre and AQA services.
If you have a login for e-AQA
Please ask your Centre Administrator to give you access to Exampro Extra Online.
Then simply click on the subject of your choice from the list below, login and then you will be linked directly to the Exampro Extra Online for that subject:
Register for Exampro Extra Online – if you don't have an e-aqa login
If you currently teach AQA GCSE Sciences
Register for e-aqa 
to access Exampro Extra Online.
If you don't currently teach AQA GCSE Sciences
Firstly, sign-up to teach then register for e-AQA.
Why do I have to register for e-AQA to access Exampro Extra Online?
e-AQA offers security to ensure that the resources and other information is only available to teachers and not to students. There are also other services available to teachers within e-AQA which can be accessed with your login to e-AQA.
I have had problems registering for Exampro Extra Online through e-AQA?
Ring the e-AQA helpdesk on 08442 096 614 who will help you with the e-AQA registration process.
I have submitted my registration form for an e-AQA password but have not heard anything back?
Your Centre Administrator (Exams Officer) needs to approve your request. It may be that your Exams Officer has not seen your request for approval. Contact your Exams Officer to see if your approval is pending on the system.
I've forgotten my password for e-AQA. How can I gain access to e-AQA?
You can request your password by submitting the forgotten password form . Please input your username and the answer to your security question. Once these have been accepted, your password will be e-mailed to you automatically. If you have any further difficulty you should contact your e-AQA Centre Administrator.
How do I know which service a teacher requires access to?
Please contact the teacher concerned to discuss what they need.
I have registered for e-AQA and been approved but I cannot see the link to Exampro Extra Online?
It may be that your Exams Officer has not given you the access rights you require. Please contact him/her to ask that they give you access (this can be done by him/her through 'Manage access rights'.
How do I use Exampro Extra Online?
Once you've clicked on one of the five subject areas available there is a 'getting started' facility which provides an online tutorial.
Teacher's Pack (USB)
Why is nothing happening when I insert my Teacher's Pack memory stick?
On some operating systems, the memory stick does not open automatically. To access your resources, you will need to:
- go to 'My Computer' usually found on your desktop
- here you will see to drives located under the heading 'Devices with removable storage'
- to launch the resource, open the 'AQA GCSE Science' drive.
For further queries you can contact us at sciencelab@aqa.org.uk.
Community
How do I log in to the community?
You can login via any page on The Science Lab. There is a login and password section at the top of the page.
I can't remember my username or password.
If you can't remember you username or password then please use our forgotten password service
How can I update my details?
Once logged in you can amend your details on the edit profile page in the left hand navigation or by selecting my profile at the top of the page.
Do I need to register to read and reply to the topics in the forums?
You will be able to read all of the forum posts without logging in. You will, however, need to login if you wish to reply to a topic or create a new topic.
Do I need to register to read and reply to the blogs?
You will be able to read all the blogs without logging in. You will, however, need to login if you wish to comment on the blogs.
Teacher Support Online
How do I gain access to Teacher Support Online?
After completing our very short registration form you can gain access from simply entering your e-mail address each time you wish to view the meeting. Log in here.
I can't log in to Teacher Support Online?
You will need to register first. If you have registered then you will need to include your e-mail address to log in.
I'm having problems viewing the videos?
You will need the latest version of Flash to play our videos.
Assessment
Controlled Assessment
How much of the new GCSE Additional Applied Science is Controlled Assessment?
There is one Controlled Assessment for Additional Applied Science comprising two assignments. Controlled Assessment is worth 60% of the total mark.
Can students sit the Controlled Assessment for new GCSE Science in Year 10 and then sit exams in Year 11?
Yes, as long as the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs is met.
When can we get the new GCSE Science Controlled Assessment moderated?
The new GCSE Science Controlled Assessments can be moderated in the May of the year for which they are valid and the following January. The exception is Science B, which is available in May only.
With the new GCSE triple science, when would you submit the Controlled Assessment?
You would have to submit the Controlled Assessment in thetrb moderation series for which it is valid. It is important that you check that you check the front of the ISA for the corret dates. Triple Science candidates can do the Additional Science or Unit 3 Controlled Assessments, which will be available for moderation for the first time in June 2013.
How many new GCSE Science Controlled Assessments will there be each year for each unit?
Each year, there will be one Controlled Assessment each for units B1, C1 and P1: these may be used for Science A only. There will be one each for units B2, C2 and P2: these may be used for either Additional Science or the separate sciences. There will be two each for units B3, C3 and P3: these may be used for the separate sciences only. Therefore, there will be 3 each year for SCIA, 3 for Additional, 3 for each Sep Sci
For Science B, three Controlled Assessments will be available each year: one for each unit.
For Additional Applied Science, two assignments will be available every year, each of which will have four options to choose from.
Does the Controlled Assessment (CA) get harder? Will the B3 CA be harder than the B2 CA?
The Science A (Unit 1) and Science B CAs do not ask students to devise a hypothesis; the Additional, Additional Applied and Separate Science CAs do. The Unit 2 and Unit 3 CAs are designed to be of the same standard.
If a student completes all of the written papers for their AQA new GCSE Sciences qualification in year 10 but fails to do their Controlled Assessment (CA) can they do the CA in year 11 and still be awarded the GCSE?
Yes, but students who do this will have to re-sit at least one of the written units in Year 11 because of the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs. The mark gained in this second unit assessment will count towards the final GCSE, even if the mark is lower than that gained in Year 10.
Additional Applied Science coursework can currently be marked, reworked and remarked, will we be able to in the future?
No, as it is now a Controlled Assessment Unit and has to follow Controlled Assessment Unit rules.
Is it true that for the new GCSE triple science, all Controlled Assessments for all three sciences must be carried out in Year 11?
This will be the case for the first cohort as unit 2 and 3 Controlled Assessments can only be moderated for the first time in June 2013. After this you will be able to submit the Controlled Assessment earlier and run more external exams later as the 40% can come from any combination of components.
What is the shelf life of the new Controlled Assessment?
Once moderated and graded the Controlled Assessment has a shelf life of the life of the specification.
Are there any guidance videos on controlled assessment?
Yes, Teacher Support Online contains a video dedicated to controlled assessment, where you wil be able to see teachers and students conducting them.
Assessment Planning
Will AQA offer terminally assessed papers for the new GCSE Sciences?
It is possible for a centre to decide to do all of its assessments for AQA GCSE sciences at the end of the courses.
When can we first certificate the new Science GCSEs?
First certification for each Science GCSE is:
- June 2012 Science A and Science B
- June 2013 Additional Science, Additional Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
When are the AQA exams for the new GCSE Sciences going to become available?
The timing of the first AQA exams varies with individual GCSE Sciences:
- Science B Units from November 2011
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics Unit 1s and Science A combined Unit 5 and Unit 6 from January 2012
- Science B Units 2 and 3 from March 2012
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics Unit 2s and Controlled Assessments for Science A and Science B from June 2012
- Additional Science combined Units 5 and 6 and Additional Applied Science papers from January 2013
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics Unit 3s and Controlled Assessments for Additional Science, Additional Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics from June 2013
Can you certificate for any of the new GCSE Science specifications
Yes, but only after the first year of certification. Certification will become possible in each series as shown:
November 2012 Science B
January 2013 Science A
March 2013 Science B
January 2014 Additional Science, Additional Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Note: the student would still need to meet the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs.
With the new GCSE Sciences how quickly should we decide whether a student does the three separate sciences or just Science A and Additional Science?
Due to the 40% terminal requirement it is best to make this decision as early as possible. If students have taken all of their unit 1's and 2's before a decision is made they will have to re-sit some units.
When will teachers need to make decisions on tier of entry for the examined units?
For the external examinations the tier needs to be decided at the time of making the entry. This can be changed at a later date but may be subject to an amendment fee.
The Controlled Assessment is not tiered.
Can students do the old specification GCSE Science and the new GCSE Additional Science, and still get two A* to C GCSEs?
Yes.
Can the new GCSE Science A or Science B and Additional Science or Additional Applied Science be taught in parallel?
Yes, they can be taught in parallel or series. Please note when the exams first become available and the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs.
If a student certificates for the new GCSE Science in Year 10, will these points count towards the schools CVA and two A* to C sciences in that students Year 11?
Yes, go to the Register of Regulated Qualifications for more information.
What are the declining rules? Will it be possible to decline certificated new GCSE Science A and use the units from Year 10 to contribute to triple science in Year 11?
No, declining is not allowed. Once a student has certificated, they can't refuse the certification and use the marks for another specification. If they haven't certificated, a student can use their unit 1 marks in triple science as long as they meet the 40% terminal requirement.
Will the new GCSE Additional Applied Science still have coursework?
No, coursework is being replaced by a Controlled Assessment.
How does the alternative route for the new GCSE Sciences work?
We've introduced an alternative assessment option for GCSE Science A and GCSE Additional Science. Each of the subjects are divided into two and combined papers are set. For example, Science A candidates would sit half of Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1 in the first written paper, and then sit the other half in the second written paper.
Will our separate science students be able to use the alternative route?
No, it is only available for Science A and Additional Science.
Are there any tools to help me with assessment planning? For the new specifications
Yes, our assessment planner will help you plan and organise examinations for the new specifications. You can access it on our Tools page.
The 40% Rule
What does the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs mean for the new GCSE Sciences?
It means that at least 2 of the 4 units counting towards one of the GCSE Sciences must be taken in the series in which the award is certificated. One of these units can be the Controlled Assessment.
Do we have to certificate in the same series as the 40%?
Yes.
If a student sits 40% at the end of Year 10 and never sits another exam for that award, can they certificate, in Year 11?
No, as the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs will not be met.
Re-sitting
If a student wants to improve a grade in one of the new AQA GCSE Sciences can they re-sit?
Yes, once they have certificated they can re-sit as many units as they want but they would have to re-sit at least two units due to the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs. When a qualification is re-taken, a student may have two further attempts at each unit. However, only the better or the last two results will count towards the final grade or the last result if it is needed to satisfy the terminal requirement.
What happens if a student re-sits three or more new GCSE Science units in the same series?
When a student re-sits more than two units AQA will generate the best possible result which meets the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs.
If a student wants to improve a grade in one of the AQA GCSE Science units can they re-sit that unit?
Yes, before they certificate they can re-sit each unit once. The better result counts towards the final grade; however if the unit forms part of the 40% terminal requirement for all GCSEs then that result must be used.
What options are there for certification for students who have been absent for some units.
This depends on the reasons for absence. Special Consideration would have to be applied for at the moment. Your Examinations Officer will know about how to apply.
