The CCEA specification in GCSE Single Award Science provides a broad, coherent and practical course that develops confidence in and a positive view of science. It encourages students to appreciate the value of science in their lives and in the wider world around them.

The specification supports the aim of the Northern Ireland Curriculum to empower young people to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives.

Units 1, 2 and 3 include a number of practical tasks that students carry out during the course. Nine of these are prescribed practicals. All of the nine prescribed practicals should be taught during the course. Unit 4: Practical Skills has two parts: Booklet A and Booklet B. CCEA set and mark both booklets. Booklet A is a practical skills assessment. It assesses students’ ability to plan and carry out two practical tasks based on (but not identical to) the nine prescribed practicals listed in the specification. Booklet B is a written, externally assessed examination taken during the final year of study. This assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of practical science. It consists of questions about planning and carrying out any of the prescribed practical tasks, together with more general questions about any practical situation that arises in Units 1, 2 and 3.

Single Award Science

Three theory units covered over Year 11 and Year 12

Year 11

Biology Unit 1 Theory - Module Exam February of Year 11

Start Chemistry Unit 2 Theory

Pupils have an opportunity to resit Biology Unit 1 exam in June of Year 11

Year 12

Finish Chemistry Unit 2 Theory - Module Exam November of Year 12

Physics Unit 3 Theory - Module Exam June of Year 12

Pupils have an opportunity to resit the Chemistry Unit 2 exam in February of Year 12

Practical Skills Unit 4 Theory - taught over the two years of the course