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Original poster

Science GCSE - Help!

14 replies

TwoToTango · 12/09/2016 18:25

Hi

Can anyone explainin leyman's terms the difference between double and triple science.

DS has just been told he's doing double but is studying all 3 sciences. How does this work - does it mean he will take 2 exams on the 2 sciences he is strongest in?
Or is it more a mix of all 3 - he needs to get 5 GCSEs including a science for the course he wants to do - how is taking double science likely the affect this?

Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

OP posts:
Soozikinzi · 12/09/2016 18:29

It's a mix of all 3 .there's basically no need to do triple science i.e. All 3 separately unless he wants to be a medical professional or scientist I may have forgotten a career there but I'm sure someone will correct me .I teach science to SEN students by the way.

redskytonight · 12/09/2016 18:32

At DS's school children choose either

  • Combined Science which leads to 2 GCSEs Both include elements of Chemistry, Biology and Physics. Students have 6 papers.
  • triple science which consists of separate exams in Biology, Physics, Chemistry to gain GCSEs of those names. Students still have 6 papers (but with more on them).

So the double science option is kind of like doing 2/3 of the triple option.

The option to (say) just study Physics and Chemistry and no Biology doesn't exist any more.

InTheDessert · 12/09/2016 18:33

He will get 2 GCSEs, which will be a mixture of all 3 sciences.

Tripple science gets you a GCSE in each of physics, chemistry and biology.

Double science will be fine for his future course, if one svience us all that is asked for - he will have 2.

Joinourclub · 12/09/2016 18:38

Double science includes all 3 sciences for 2 GCSEs - core and additional science. Triple science is 3 separate GCSEs for the three separate sciences. most students will sit double science. it isn

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 18:40

Is he in year 11 now or will he be doing the new GCSE?

Depending on the exam board, the double award students sit P1, C1 and B1 (the first three modules of physics, chemistry and biology) to get a "core science" GCSE.
They also sit P2,C2 and B2 which combine to give an "additional science GCSE.

If students are doing triple science they also sit P3, C3 and B3. There are various different options for how all the modules are put together but the most common is for their P1, P2 and P3 to give them their physics GCSE result, and so on. There's also a contribution from practical work to the double and triple GCSEs.

redsky it is still possible to do stand alone GCSEs in one science subject but not many schools let their students do biology and physics with no chemistry (for example).

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 18:44

he needs to get 5 GCSEs including a science for the course he wants to do - how is taking double science likely the affect this?

It most likely won't-I've got three science A levels and two science degrees with double award GCSE science. What's he looking to do?

Original poster
TwoToTango · 12/09/2016 18:58

Thank you all - I think I understand it more now. PurpleDaises - you have put my mind at rest! he's not 100% sure what he wants to do but something along the engineering route.

So am I right in saying he will get 2 GCSE's from doing double science and if he got say a B in both of them - that is counted as passing 2 separate GCSEs?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 19:00

Yes-you're right. Two Bs count as two different GCSEs. Some students get different grades for their core and additional GCSEs.

GottaCatchEmAll137 · 12/09/2016 19:03

I'm a Science teacher. Triple is useful to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level Science. However, in reality, 80% of those who go on to study A Level Science only have double award. I really don't think it will be a problem for you, OP.

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 19:03

People get really hung up on doing triple over double. Because not all schools offer triple, it makes absolutely no difference at all to anything apart from how many GCSEs you get at the end.

Original poster
TwoToTango · 12/09/2016 19:04

PurpleDaisies - thank you so much. He's in Y11 - at a lot of schools round here they do some GCSE in Y10.

We've had no information from the school about what exams they do and when - they took mock exams in June and neither he not I know what grade he got!

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 19:08

Some schools put their students in for the first of the two GCSEs (core science) at the end of year 10 to get it out of the way.

It sounds like an email to his science teacher might be in order to find out where he's at.

janinlondon · 13/09/2016 15:05

Double science students take the main exam in each of the three sciences. The second exam in each subject is a higher level of science. Quite apart from the step up from double science to A level science, in some schools students are discouraged from taking an A level science unless their GCSE result was an A or above. You should check this with your school. If you compare your school's GCSE results for the individual triple sciences with those for the double sciences you will have a clearer idea of where they are pitching the students, and of the likelihood that your child will achieve an A in the science they are taking. (NB I am saying SOME schools....not all....but it is important to know this before committing)

bojorojo · 13/09/2016 15:22

One assumes the course he wants to do is not A levels if it requires 5 GCSEs including a science. Sounds more like a BTec - Engineering?

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