We asked the 121 Home Tutors team for some top revisions tips over the festive season.

1. Know what you are going back to. The biggest mistake some of our students make is that they have no idea what they are studying for after Christmas. Listen to what your teachers tell you and if you really aren’t sure what exams you are sitting (and therefore what you need to study) then go and ask someone.
2. Make a plan. Once you know which exams you are sitting then don’t go crazy and try and cram all your revision in at once (or ignore it!). Sit down and make a day-to-day plan of what you need to revise and in what order. Little and often works best with plenty of breaks to keep your mind and body fresh.
3. Don’t ignore your problems areas. The temptation can be to revise the easy stuff first and ignore the trickier parts but you should actually tackle the hard subjects and topics first, that way you have plenty of time to go into detail and revisit the areas where you struggle.
4. Read through our blogs for lots of top tips on revision and preparing for exams.
5. Develop revision techniques that work for you. There is no rule that says you have to work at a desk; maybe you’d be better recording notes and then listening to them while you run? Or maybe you’d work better verbally asking a friend questions (and being tested in return)?
6. Make time for fun – it’s important to keep revision going during the holidays (we know, no fun!) but keep some time aside to enjoy friends and family. You’ll return to study refreshed and relaxed.
7. Book in some extra time with your tutor. Most tutors can squeeze in an extra session in the run up to exams to discuss any problem areas and give your confidence a boost. 121 Home Tutors have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your 11 plus, GCSE’s and A levels. Contact us today

One of the qualifications increasing in popularity within the private sector is the iGCSE (international GCSE). They were first developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations for use in overseas countries (including the UK) who wanted  a qualification that was viewed as academically rigorous. The iGCSE is often compared to O Levels rather than the more modern GCSEs and recent changes to traditional GCSEs in science, maths and English have meant even more independent schools are switching to iGCSEs.

iGCSEs are taken at the same age as conventional GCSEs across 500 schools in the UK but to date are not accredited for use in state schools. Edexcel wanted to bring the success of the internationally recognised iGCSE to  UK state schools and so they have introduced ‘certificates’ equivalent to the iGCSE in Maths, English Language and English Literature (with Science to follow). Cambridge offer iGCSEs in 18 subjects including languages.

As we’ve discussed before we think languages can open up fantastic new career possibilities for young people and we see the introduction of advanced standards as a great move forward for education in the UK. It does seem a shame to have titled the state iGCSE equivalent as a certificate, in this country we get certificates for running races and swimming a length and so it seems an inappropriate name for a qualification that holds itself to these higher standards.

In January this year, for the first time, school performance league tables also included the percentage of students who received the new EBacc qualification (English Baccalaureate).  This is awarded to students who have passed GCSE in Maths, English, Science, a language, geography or history at grade A*-C.  The EBacc was originally introduced to encourage children from low income neighbourhoods to take more traditional subjects, enabling them to gain places at top universities.  Unfortunately recent evidence suggests this is not the case – an Education Committee inquiry into the EBacc found no evidence that the flagship reform will improve the life chances of low-income pupils. With next year bringing £9,000 a year fees for some universities it seems backwards to introduce a qualification that might help a child obtain a university place that they don’t have the financial means to take up.

We have tutors who work in both state and independent schools and are familiar with the requirements for the iGCSE and what is needed to improve grades for the EBacc. Alison, our MD, recently wrote a Chemistry iGCSE course.

If you’d like to know more about iGCSEs, the EBacc and tutoring in these subjects including languages, maths and English (across Manchester and Cheshire including areas such as Wilmslow) then call us on 01625 531360.

Hopefully they are everything you hoped for and you are now ready to move onto college to do AS, A2 and A Level courses or another type of further education course.  Or maybe you’ve decided GCSEs will be the end of your time in education and you’ll be looking for work.

Last year we blogged about what to do on results day, with helpful hints on what to do if your results what weren’t you expected. This year we asked our tutors to come up with some hints and tips on next steps after GCSEs.

-          Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want to do after your GCSEs. This is really common and there is no rule that says you have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life when you are 16. You’ll find advisers in school and the Careers Service who can walk you through the various education and work options and explore possible careers.

-          It’s ok if you’ve got your results and then decide the choices you made for AS or A Levels are the wrong ones. Lots of people change their courses before they start sixth form or college. It’s much better to start doing something you want to do than struggling on with something you don’t really want to do. Just talk to the college or sixth form and explain why you’ve changed your mind (it could be for academic or personal reasons, or to work towards a particular career).

-          GCSE results are just a first step. If your results aren’t what you hoped then don’t think you are doomed to a life of dull work. You will have lots of opportunities to explore different career paths or make up for any struggles you had at school. GCSE results are the beginning, not the end.

-          A Levels aren’t the only option after GCSEs – there is The Diploma, Apprenticeships, The Extended Project and hundreds of vocational qualifications. You can find useful information in your local 14-19 prospectus .

If you need help, support or private tutoring in Manchester and Cheshire after your GCSE results (or AS, A2 and A Level results) then call 01625 531 630 to speak to 121 Home Tutors or leave a comment below.

You can also call the exam helpline on 0808 100 8000.

Maths is one of our most requested subjects for private tutoring in Manchester and South Manchester. We have private Maths tutors that start at primary level and go right up to AS, A2 and A Level but most of tutors work with secondary level students who are fast approaching their GCSEs .

So here are our private tutors’ top seven tips for GCSE Maths revision:

1.      Our number one top tip is to know exactly what you need to revise. Carefully check the syllabus and know the topics you need to revise. If you are unsure then ask your teacher. It’s also a good idea to ask your teacher if you need to learn any formulas or if they’ll be printed on the exam paper.

2.      Start with the basics first. Once you know what you need to revise then tackle the basic topics first. Maths builds on basics and as you move up in school you’ll find the basics you’ve learnt are integrated with each other and across topics.  Try breaking harder problems into smaller sections rather than trying to tackle the whole thing in one go. This means you’ll devote the most time to the trickiest parts and not get overwhelmed when you get close to the exam.

3.      Don’t be afraid to use revision guides and GCSE revision books (make sure you pick the right one for your syllabus). There’s also lots of great information on websites like BBC bitesize. Finally don’t forget your textbooks, teachers and if you have one, your private Maths tutor.

4.      Past papers. If you can get hold of them (ask your teacher) then these can really help focus your mind on the sort of questions you might have to tackle in an exam. As your revision moves on try completing a past paper in a set time frame to give you an idea of how you’ll cope on the actual day.

5.      If you struggle to sit down and stare at papers for hours then try a revision study group or try mental maths.

6.      Start early. Revision is really hard if you are rushing or stressed. Plan your revision out, including breaks.

7.      If you are struggling ask for help. If something just isn’t sticking during revision then ask a friend, parent or call in a private tutor. They can help you work through any barriers.

If you need a tutoring to help you with Maths or Maths revision in Manchester or South Manchester (we cover all areas including Altrincham and Hale) then call or email 121 Home Tutors today.

At GCSE and A level (AS/A2 level) we find it’s the students as much as the parents searching for a tutor. As the person sat in class every day it’s usually you who recognises that you have a problem with a certain subject or topics within that area. Recognising that fact and finding a tutor to help can be the easiest way to overcome any problems, boost your confidence and improve your grades. If you’ve found yourself in this position how do you find the right tutor? Here are our top five tips:

1. You’ll probably start by looking on the web. There are lots and lots of tutoring websites but what you want is a website where you can get a specialised, matched tutor recommendation rather than a list of names where you have to call lots of different people. Here at 121 Home Tutors we take details of the subjects you need a tutor for, which areas you are particularly struggling with and then work through our extensive list of qualified tutors till we find just the right match.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask if the tutor has experience at your level and subject area, do they know the course and syllabus you use? Are they familiar with what questions will come up on your exams and any ‘favourite’ questions exam boards use? Ask if they have references and if they approach tutoring in a reactive way (going through work done) or proactive way (helping you get ahead and learn what’s needed for the exams). At 121 Home Tutors we check references and qualifications, plus a tutor’s track record and whether they’ll be a good fit with you.

3. Once you’ve got a match make sure you meet your tutor and like them. If you don’t then go back to the tutoring company and ask for another tutor. This relationship will make a real difference to your future so it has to be right.

4. Cheap doesn’t mean good. Tutoring costs money but don’t fixate on price when you are looking for a tutor. Your education is the start of your future and you want a high quality tutor who cares about your education, not the cheapest one on the market.

5. Once you’ve started the tutoring process check your progress. Ask for feedback from your tutor and check in with your teachers/tutors at school or college. Can they see a difference?

If you are looking for a tutor for GCSE, AS and A2 subjects such as Maths, English, History, French and German or Science in Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow and Cheshire areas get in touch with us at 121 Home Tutors. We can help.

Don’t panic!
Slightly disappointing results at GCSE aren’t the end of the world, especially if they are in subjects other than English, Maths or in the subjects not being taken to A Level. However, not doing as well as expected can be demoralising (especially if friends got straight A* grades!) and can be an indicator of an underlying problem that might cause greater difficulties at A Level.

As such, disappointments at GCSE and poor grades can be good indicators of problems that need fixing in the long term. Dropping a couple of grades in a subject that isn’t going to be continued at A Level is probably nothing much to worry about – unless that subject happens to be English or Maths.

Take action on Maths and English
The most immediate problems to face are if GCSE results in Maths or English (not English Literature) are poor. Colleges and Universities usually require at least ‘C’ in both subjects at GCSE for admission. Likewise, most employers want to see at least two Cs for anything except manual work. In practice, as a result of the grade inflation of the past few years, the cut off ‘respectable’ grade is a B – if a grade B  at GCSE in one of these subjects was narrowly missed you might seriously consider an appeal or a resit.

If either Maths or English have been ‘failed’ (strictly speaking, even an E or F is a ‘pass’ at GCSE, though nobody pretends that a grade below C is worth much, especially in English) they should be resat. School (and/or new sixth form college) will advise on this.

Check A Level eligibility
Dropping GCSE grades can have an effect on the subjects that can be taken to A Level (see here for tips on which A levels to choose). Many state schools and FE colleges ask for at least a C grade at GCSE in a particular subject before acceptance on to the A Level course (often higher for more traditional A Levels such as Maths and English). Grammar and independent schools will often require at least an A grade at GCSE before acceptance on to courses. However, it varies dramatically by school and by year.

If the grade has fallen below the notional standard for a particular subject but you/your child still wants to take it at A Level, the whole thing will have to be discussed with the relevant subject teachers. This might be easier if staying in the same school, as there will be existing relationships in place with staff who will know your personality and capabilities well – on the other hand, that could also work against you!

One way or another, an unexpected dip at GCSE indicates that not all is as it should be, and going into A Level you/your child could benefit from extra help. It could be that subject understanding wasn’t as it should be – or that the required effort and level of revision wasn’t put in but at 121 Home Tutors we have tutors that are used to working with A level students and with students who haven’t performed as well as they might – get in touch with us today (email or call 01625 531 360) for a no-obligation chat about how we can help with studies if you live in the Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Cheshire and surrounding areas.

*** Exam Results Helpline – 0808 100 8000 ***

That said, for students in this age group doing a bit of work and catching up over the summer holiday break isn’t just for those who have failed or underperformed in exams. It is also a great opportunity to get a head start and/or keep information fresher. The summer holiday break is quite long: six weeks or so for state schools, around eight weeks for many independent day schools and even more for many boarding schools. Even bright students often lose ground during this time, getting out of good habits, forgetting key information and neglecting skills that they had developed to a high level for the previous exam season.

Three subject areas most at risk from this ‘slippage’ are Maths, Science and modern languages. There are two reasons for this. First, they are among the most difficult subjects any student will be working on, especially at A-Level. Second, each one combines relatively difficult skills with a large amount of knowledge that needs to be learned.

Maths, Science and languages require the student both to develop skills (e.g., solving complex equations; designing, conducting and writing up experiments; forming grammatical sentences) and learn a great deal of information (formulae, physical laws, names of elements and compounds, long lists of vocabulary and tables of noun and verb forms).

It’s not necessary for students to spend their entire summer holiday revising all this stuff to stay on top of it – everyone needs a break, after all. The trick is to ensure that knowledge, skills and relevant thinking habits don’t just drop to the bottom of their minds for six, eight or ten weeks. As a parent, there are several ways you can help:

• Travel can make an enormous difference. If your child is learning French and German, consider a visit to one country or the other for a holiday or short break.
• Think about a visit to the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum in London. These aren’t just resources for younger kids – they contain a great deal of thought-provoking, inspirational material for older students, too.
• Encourage reading – something we’ve blogged about recently.
• More engaged students can be encouraged to actually pick up their school books during the holiday and have a quick refresher read. You could give them some sort of incentive to do this.
• Switch on the telly! Keep an eye on the TV listings for programmes relevant to particular areas of study, and encourage them to watch. There’s also tons of good stuff on YouTube, iTunes U and the web in general.
• Consider hiring a tutor, especially if your child underperformed in the end of year exams. Summer holiday tutoring doesn’t have to be intensive: a ‘slow burn’ approach to help students reinforce key ideas can work very well. It is a worthwhile summer holiday activity that keeps them occupied

If you live in the Greater Manchester or East Cheshire area and you’d like to find out more about how summer holiday tutoring can help your child – especially in tricky subjects like Maths, Science and modern languages – don’t hesitate to get in touch with 121 Home Tutors. We’ll be very happy to advise you, and, if you wish, put you in touch with tutors relevant to your child’s needs.

Whether you’re visiting a foreign country on holiday or you’d just like a new challenge, learning a language can be a very rewarding experience. Below is an overview of the most popular options:

• French is still the most popular modern language for Brits, probably because most of us acquired at least a smattering of it at school. As languages go, it is relatively easy, with quite a small vocabulary and a fairly regular grammar. The big challenge is mastering the accent and the pronunciation of words – for some reason, native English speakers find both difficult. One of the secrets of success is to physically move your mouth more than you do when you’re speaking English.
• German is a bit trickier than French, because the grammar is more strict and the word order is often very different from what we’re used to in English. That said, modern German is similar to English in many ways (both are “Germanic” languages), and most English-speakers find German pronunciation relatively easy.
• Spanish and Italian, like French, are Romance languages – basically, modern versions of Latin. The two are quite similar to each other, and are sometimes mutually intelligible if spoken slowly. Most people find them easier to learn than French, with Spanish probably the easiest European language if you want to develop conversational ability quickly. One word of warning: the Italians seem to have a real problem understanding foreigners who try to speak their language – it really pays to work on the accent! If you’re seeking to learn for business or employment reasons, Spanish can be a surprisingly good choice – along with English, Mandarin and Arabic it’s one of the world’s most widespread languages, used by half a billion native speakers globally.
• Russian – now we’re getting more adventurous! Russian is a Slavic language, and very different from Romance (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian) and Germanic (English, German, Dutch) tongues. It has a complex grammar and a different alphabet from western European languages (Cyrillic rather than Roman). On the upside, it is very similar to other Slavic languages, so if you get on well with Russian you’ll find Roman-alphabet eastern European languages (e.g., Polish) pretty straightforward. Russian is also a good language to learn if you’re interested in beefing up your CV – many UK businesses work with Russia, and there is a shortage of speakers over here.
• If you want a real challenge, Mandarin Chinese could be an interesting option – though don’t expect to grasp it right away! Mandarin is the most important Chinese dialect. It is written using a pictogram system that is completely unlike western alphabets, though when you’re learning you can use a system that converts Chinese sounds into western characters. Another interesting feature of Mandarin is the way tone is so important – a word’s meaning can change completely depending on how you say it. Again, Mandarin will look very impressive on your CV!
• Welsh is a fun option if you want something a little closer to home, if you are making a move to Wales, or you holiday there regularly. The extent to which Welsh is spoken and used often surprises English visitors. This is especially true in North Wales, where there are plenty of people for whom English is very much a second language. The pronunciation is nowhere near as difficult as you might think, and it’s actually quite a straightforward language to learn. However, it’s worth knowing that Welsh dialects are quite different from one another: although it’s possible to learn a single, formal language (“International Welsh” is the tongue-in-cheek expression), you need to be aware of the differences between North Walian and South Walian versions of the language.
• If you have an academic streak, it’s worth looking at Latin. You won’t get much chance to speak it (unless you go on holiday to the Vatican…), but learning to read Latin offers huge benefits. For a start, it opens up all of Latin literature – 2000 years’ worth of some of the greatest histories, biographies and poetry ever written. In more practical terms, learning Latin is the single best way of learning about language; it’ll help with learning French, Italian and Spanish (which are really just modern dialects of Latin), and if you have a good grasp of Latin, you’ll rarely write an ungrammatical English sentence. Moreover, it’s a ruthlessly logical language that teaches you to think in a clear, structured way. If you have an ambitious and intelligent child, a bit of Latin can make a big difference to his or her prospects – the subject is shamefully neglected in state schools, but recognised by universities, and even by many employers, as the mark of an academic high-flyer.

If live in the Manchester area and you want some help developing language skills, get in touch with 121 Home Tutors today. We can offer personal tuition in a range of languages, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out. ]]> http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/2010/06/learning-a-language-over-the-summer/feed/ 0 http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/2010/03/revision-tips/ http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/2010/03/revision-tips/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:04:59 +0000 Alison http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/?p=426 GCSE’s or A levels looming? Here’s a few tips for revision we hope you find helpful.

1. Get organised!

Don’t leave it until last minute to revise; last minute cramming can lead to panic, lack of sleep and not so great results so be sure to plan ahead and get organised. Honest, it’s easier to do little bits more often and over a longer period of time than try to cram a lot of stuff into your head at once.

• First, find out when your exams are – in the main summer exam season you may even have several exams on one day with little time in between
• Second, try to organise a timetable for study – one idea is to follow your school timetable for either lesson or homework.
• Allocate time for each subject and possibly more time for weaker areas or subjects you really need the best grades in

Be realistic with yourself – its great making a timetable that gives you 2-3 hours revision per night. But is it realistic? Does your revision timetable fit around school/homework; does it give you any free time? If it’s an unrealistic timetable, it may well look good on paper but it may give you added stress because you can’t stick to it!

• Part of being realistic is planning for free time. Free time is important. Learning is far more effective when our brains are fresh and not worried/panicked about the huge tasks ahead.

 2. Know what stuff you need to learn.

This may sound obvious but it’s no use learning stuff that’s not going to be on the exam.

• Check you know the exam board and syllabus you are taking for each subject – ask your teacher if unsure and ask for a syllabus. A syllabus is often a great revision guide itself. It lists all the stuff you’ll be tested on.
• Find a revision guide that’s syllabus specific. Also, when looking for revision guides, look for one that appeals to your learning style and don’t necessarily go with the one all your friends have. For example I prefer the colourful, more picture based books than those full of mind maps and plain boring writing.

 3. Do you understand everything you need to learn?

Trying to learn something that makes no sense is very difficult – remembering facts about stuff you did understand is hard enough. If there’s a particular topic, or topics, you struggle to understand, ask your teacher to explain. Alternatively, ask if your friends know – maybe they understand topics you don’t and vice versa. Or, maybe your parents can help. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. If teachers, parents and/or friends are not helping you, that’s why many students find a tutor. Tutors can often help you find out your learning style, give you tips/hints to revise as well as knowing what you need to know and explaining the tricky topics.

 4. Work out how you learn best

Or try different methods to find learning techniques that’re right for you – a combination of methods and/or a different method for a different subject may work best for you. Try these….

• Do mind maps work?
• Does writing notes help? Care though, many students write notes and think that’s revision, but ask yourself. After writing loads of notes – have you learnt anything? Were/are they useful, or did your mind wander?
• Do highlighters and colours help?
• Do pictures help?
• Do you prefer listening? Revision CD’s & many online revision sites have recordings of teachers talking through the topics.
• Do discussion and/or question & answer sessions help? Some people learn best by being asked questions and/or discussing topics. If you can explain your answers or knowledge on a topic to someone else, it will show you how well you really understand the topic and also help keep the information in your head. A small study group of friends may be useful (but be careful here not to stray off the subject!).

 5. Split learning into smaller chunks

Try breaking subjects down into headings and learning a little bit at a time. Often, splitting learning into smaller chunks makes the whole task appear much less daunting. ‘Bite size’ revision can be very effective – check out the BBC bite size revision site.

 6. Test yourself & practice using past papers

Past exam papers are a very useful way of testing if you can apply what you learning – ideally you also need the mark scheme so you can check you get the right answers, see where marks are awarded and for what and the type of answers examiners are looking for.

Past papers also give you an idea of the type and style of questions asked and most subjects seem to have favourite/popular topics that are tested more often than others. They also let you see how much time you have and the format of the exams. Knowing what you’re about to face means fewer surprises on the day.

 7. Stay healthy

• Eat right – ‘brain food’ such as Omega 3 foods are a essential for developing cell membranes and signal pathways. Fish, grass-fed meats, some nuts and blueberries are some good sources. If you are a snacker, try to snack on foods with natural sugars rather than sweets and chocolates.
• Keep hydrated – drink enough water to keep your body working efficiently.
• Sleep right – too much or too little sleep can affect learning.
• Keep fit/healthy. Plan for ‘time out’ – its important not to overload yourself with work as it can be counterproductive. Reward yourself with breaks throughout the day, or even plan for whole/part days off. This will give your something to look forward to and work towards.
•  Plan right – to avoid stress of last minute cramming and panic

 8. Exam day

Arrive in plenty of time, make sure you’ve got pens, pencils, sharpeners, rulers and other necessary stuff, like calculator for science and maths [best to get this ready night before so you don’t panic on the day]

Stay calm, read the question, don’t panic if you don’t know the answer – move on, answer all questions you can, then come back to the ones you found more difficult – for more on exam tips see our other post. And finally,  Good luck!

 If you need help with revision, exam technique, explanation of topics or just confidence we have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your GCSE’s and A levels and many tutors will offer Easter revision tutorials. Contact us today

As with Core Science, the best starting point for helping your child with GCSE Additional Science is to understand precisely how it works and which examination board’s specification he or she is studying. For our students, in Manchester and Cheshire, AQA Science A or Science B, OCR Gateway or 21st Century Science and Edexcel Science are the most common choices. Summaries of each course are listed below:

AQA Additional Science
The AQA Additional Science course consists of 4 units, each worth 25% of the total mark.

• x3 written tests, 45mins each. One test in each of Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Tests can be sat in any order/combination (schools decide the order in which modules are studied and when the tests are sat). Tests are sat in either January or June. Tests can be re-sat to improve marks – maximum mark used to determine final grade.

• Practical element [ISA] worth 25% of the total marks.

• Student can choose between Foundation (grades G-C) or Higher tiers (grades D-A*), with a combination of tiers also permitted.

OCR Science
The OCR course follows one of 2 routes; either the 21st Century (Science A) or Gateway (Science B):

OCR 21st Century Additional Science – Science A (J631)
There are 9 teaching modules (x3 Biology, x3 Chemistry, x3 Physics) tested as 5 units. Students sit either Foundation (grades G-C) or Higher tiers (grades D-A*).

• Unit 1 – Biology B4, Chemistry C4 and Physics P4 – 16.7% of final marks. Almost always sat first in January.

• Unit 2 – Biology B5, Chemistry C5 and Physics P5 – 16.7% of final marks. Sittings in January and June.

• Unit 3 – Biology B6, Chemistry C6 and Physics P6 – 16.7% of final marks. Sittings in January and June.

• Unit 4 – ideas in context – 16.7% of final marks.

• Unit 5 – practical element – 33⅓% of final marks.

OCR Gateway Additional Science – Science B (J641)
There are 6 teaching modules (x2 Biology, x2 Chemistry, x2 Physics) tested in 2 units. Students sit either Foundation (grades G-C) or Higher tiers (grades D-A*).

• Unit 1 – Biology B3, Chemistry C3 and Physics P3 – almost always sat first in January.

• Unit 2 – Biology B4, Chemistry C5 and Physics P6 – sittings in January and June.

• Unit 3 – research study, practical skills and data task – no set date/exam for this, assessed/moderated at school.

Each unit contributes 33⅓% of total marks. Re-sits are possible for units 1 and 2, with best grades being used to determine final grade.

Edexcel Additional Science (2103)
There are several routes available in the Edexcel Additional Science syllabus, giving either greater or lesser emphasis on external assessment (exams). The maximum marks for exam based assessment is 60%, the minimum, 30%. The maximum mark for internal assessment is 70%, minimum, 40%:

Externally assessed route, maximum
60% of the marks are obtained through exam. Students sit either Foundation (grades G-C) or Higher tiers (grades D-A*) and must sit:

• 3 multi-choice unit tests (x1 Biology, x1 Chemistry, x1 Physics). Each test worth 10% of the final marks.

• 3 structured (non multi-choice) papers (x1 Biology, x1 Chemistry, x1 Physics). Each test worth 10% of the final marks.

Tests can be sat in any order/combination (schools decide the order in which modules are studied and when the tests are sat). Tests are at various times throughout the year – November, March, June. Tests can be re-sat to improve marks – maximum mark used to determine final grade.

• Practical assessment – practical skills (10%), Biology activity (10%), Chemistry activity (10%), Physics activity (10%).

Internally assessed route, maximum
70% of the marks are obtained through internal (school led) practical and subject based activities. 30% of the marks are through exam where students sit either Foundation (grades G-C) or Higher tiers (grades D-A*) and must sit either a multi-choice or structured paper in each of the three main subjects – Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

• 3 multi-choice unit tests (x1 Biology, x1 Chemistry, x1 Physics). Each worth 10% of the final marks.

• 3 structured (non multi-choice) papers (x1 Biology, x1 Chemistry, x1 Physics). Each worth 10% of the final marks.

Tests can be sat in any order/combination [schools decide the order in which modules are studied and when the tests are sat]. Tests are at various times throughout the year – November, March, June. Tests can be re-sat to improve marks – the maximum mark being used to determine final grades.

It is worth noting there is also an option for schools to vary the amount of internal and external assessments within the above limits but there must be at least one exam sat for each science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Also bear in mind, as we said in the second of our posts on GCSE Core Science, the GCSE specifications will be changing in 2011.

If you live in Manchester or Cheshire, and you’d like to talk to us about tutoring support in Science for your child, please get in touch. We have a full range of qualified and experienced GCSE Science tutors.