GCSE Science examinations
The issue
GCSE science examinations are key national qualifications for
young people. There was a lack of reliable information on the
fitness for purpose of GCSE science examination papers.
Policy advice
SCORE recommends that QCA, Ofqual and
awarding bodies develop a process to ensure that all GCSE science
questions must require knowledge of science or How Science Works to
answer them. There should also be more and higher level mathematics
in examination papers and that there is more extended writing
in examination papers. In addition, multiple choice questions are
pre-tested to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Additionally, SCORE recommends that
there should be less emphasis on recall, and more emphasis on
demonstrating understanding. Also, awarding bodies should be
required to publish ideal answers alongside, or instead of, the
current mark schemes.
In terms of Initial Teacher
Education (ITE) and teacher Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) SCORE recommends that stakeholders involved in ITE and CPD
for teachers should investigate the benefits to teaching and
learning of involving more teachers in the examination process.
There should also be a consideration of the possibility of
developing a national archive of examination papers, mark schemes
and setting grids at the National STEM Resource Centre.
Activities
The first SCORE report, published in July 2009, reviewed the
2008 core and additional science examinations and quantified
specific concerns about the amount and type of assessment of both
maths in science and how science works. The partners have
since commissioned a consortium of expert teachers and scientists
to review the 2009 applied and triple science examination papers to
give a complete picture of the entire GCSE science examinations
suite, from the 2006 specifications, as well as a review of the
June 2010 papers. This research was concerned with looking at
the performance of the assessments. It does not provide any
evidence on the performance of the students.
SCORE has also provided support for the SCORE partners during
the revision of the GCSE science criteria and specifications,
particularly coordinating engagement with stakeholders
including the awarding organisations, Ofqual
and QCDA.
Further information
As a result of this work, SCORE identified two assessment areas
in science that require further research.
Maths in Science - The type and
quantity of mathematics assessed was found to vary across
discipline (biology, chemistry and physics) and type of paper (Core
and Additional), with some papers found to have no marks awarded
for mathematics.
How
Science Works - There were significant differences between
awarding bodies regarding the amount of How Science Works in
examination papers. Also, Core Science examination papers contained
considerably more How Science Works than Additional Science
papers.