Trilogy (Combined) Science
Nationally, all pupils are expected to complete a minimum of two GCSE qualifications in science. At Arden all pupils who do not choose the separate (triple) science route will complete GCSE Trilogy Science in Year 10 and Year 11.
The course consists of a mixture of all three science specialisms – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. At the end of the course pupils will be awarded with a qualification equivalent to two GCSE certificates graded 1-1 to 9-9.
Students will complete seven hours of science lessons every complete two week rotation of the timetable.
What are the components of this course?
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Full specification can be downloaded at: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/specifications/AQA-8464-SP-2016.PDF
Subject content
Biology
• 1. Cell biology
• 2. Organisation
• 3. Infection and response
• 4. Bioenergetics
• 5. Homeostasis and response
• 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
• 7. Ecology
Chemistry
• 8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
• 9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
• 10. Quantitative chemistry
• 11. Chemical changes
• 12. Energy changes
• 13. The rate and extent of chemical change
• 14. Organic chemistry
• 15. Chemical analysis
• 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
• 17. Using resources
Physics
• 18. Energy
• 19. Electricity
• 20. Particle model of matter
• 21. Atomic structure
• 22. Forces
• 23. Waves
• 24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
Assessments
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.
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Biology Paper 1 |
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What's assessed Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
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Biology Paper 2 |
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What's assessed Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
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Chemistry Paper 1 |
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What's assessed Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
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Chemistry Paper 2 |
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What's assessed Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
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Physics Paper 1 |
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What's assessed Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
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Physics Paper 2 |
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What's assessed Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response. |
What are the success rates in this course?
In the Science Department we have a very high success rate. In previous years typically well over 80% of students gain A* –C grades in core and additional science. On the new specification 2018 we achieved 96% pass rate in Trilogy with 65% grades 9-4.
Where can I find extra support online to help improve my grade in this course?
There are multiple websites available for our courses. Parents should be aware that we study AQA Trilogy Combined Science Specification. The following websites are particularly recommended by our teachers:
BBC Bitesize Website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrkw2hv
Revision Videos:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/videos/
Arden GSuite: https://sites.google.com/arden.solihull.sch.uk/arden-science-gcse-resources
There are many free and pay revision apps that can be downloaded onto smart phones. Gojimo is highly recommended.
Do you recommend any books for this course?
As this is a new specification please ensure that any revision guides you may purchase covers the AQA sciences for grades 1-9.
CGP produce a comprehensive range of revision guides, workbooks and past paper resources: www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_science
The science department has purchased the CGP text books for use in lesson. Each pupil is there for entitled to an account which enables them to access a FREE online version of the full text book. Please ask your child to check with their science teacher how to access this brilliant FREE resource.
When should I revise and can I get any past papers online?
Revision of topics should be a consistent part of student life and students who do well in GCSE science will be the ones who work hard and regularly revise and review topics.
Specimen and past papers will become available on:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464/assessment-resources
Mini topic test and mark schemes are also available on KS4 Science site:
https://sites.google.com/arden.solihull.sch.uk/arden-science-gcse-resources
What can I do next with this course?
Science opens the doors to many, many careers.
Following the Combined route does not preclude students from studying A level Science subjects. We are able to provide pupils who opt for science A levels the opportunity to compete work to enable pupils to have the required level of background knowledge, the same as their peers who have studied the triple science route.
