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Secondary education

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Original poster

GCSE computer science v physics

28 replies

jadedagain · 24/02/2022 10:14

Any advice for my ds2 who is about to take options-he can choose between these two (has to take one). Doesn't find either of them easy (he's dyslexic, maths ok-target 6). He got significantly higher in CS exam than physics but mainly because he receives a lot of help from his teacher. He is leaning to CS but older child says it gets much harder in year 10/11 and the grade boundaries are much lower for physics so easier to pass. Is this true?

OP posts:
Diditreallylookawful · 24/02/2022 11:18

I agree with your older child. DD is doing both and the step up to GCSE for CS is big. She much prefers Physics and finds it much easier (although is aiming for A level). TBH I'd go for whichever subject is easier, or causes the least agony. And your DS will do physics as part of the dual GCSE anyway.

Diditreallylookawful · 24/02/2022 11:20

.. and I have heard that grade boundaries are lower for physics, but that might be anecdotal.

RedskyThisNight · 24/02/2022 12:36

That's an odd choice to have to make - normally DC take combined or triple science - it's not a choice between not taking a science and taking something else as well. Are you sure?

Physics has a foundation and a higher paper so easy to pass from that point of view.

Original poster
jadedagain · 24/02/2022 13:29

it is odd yes but yes Im sure-they can swap in CS for one science

OP posts:
maddy68 · 24/02/2022 13:33

CS is hard to pass I would go with physics but ultimately it's his decision

ErrolTheDragon · 24/02/2022 13:44

Check the gcse syllabus for each - I don't know what CS is like following the reforms a few years ago, but I'd assume it involves a project element which might mean it entails more writing than physics.

stubiff · 24/02/2022 17:47

Is he likely to take either further - A-levels or equiv, or does he want to do Engineering in the future?

Original poster
jadedagain · 25/02/2022 10:05

Ah no-he won't be doing either past GCSE. Its just trying to work out which one is more likely to lead to a 5 for a not particularly academic child

OP posts:
tadger98 · 25/02/2022 12:10

Just want to debunk a myth about grade boundaries. Just because a subject has a lower minimum mark for a particular grade doesn't mean the subject is 'easier to pass'.

Grade boundaries are set so a representative student who performed at the same level should get the same grade whether they sat
an exam this year or last year. So differences in grade boundaries between subjects should mostly reflect the ability of students taking the exam relative to how hard they found the exam, and not the relative 'easiness' of the subject per se.

What I think this means is that you should pick the subject that your DC enjoys the most / maybe has a more natural aptitude, and not look at grade boundaries.

ukborn · 25/02/2022 13:03

I think this must mean that your child will be taking double science rather than triple. As he's not taking it further maybe computer science would be more useful in this tech age? He will get a physics element in the double science.
And agree with pp about grade boundaries - it's more indicative of how hard the test is that boundaries may be lower, not that it's easier!

stubiff · 25/02/2022 13:43

@ukborn The OP talks about swapping in CS for one science, so don't think it can be taking double sci + CS instead of triple science, but OP would need to confirm, as that is a diff question altogether.

Agree with PPs on grade boundaries.

What may be considered, and not thought about so far (assuming it is def Physics v CS), is that a (lot) higher % get 4-9 in Physics than CS. This is because most schools do double/triple not individual sciences. A lot of high performing schools and Independents will offer individual sciences hence the higher grades for the cohort as a whole.
Physics 90-odd% get 4-9 vs 60-odd% for CS.
So you can't compare them for 'easiness'.
Also, DC may be taking foundation or higher paper and the content and boundaries will be totally different on each.

lljkk · 25/02/2022 17:46

Both can be about problem solving, but comp sci you can succeed from sheer slog even if not quick to find algorithms. What suits him?

TattiePants · 25/02/2022 22:05

@jadedagain this is purely anecdotal but I have what sounds like a very similar child that will be sitting his GCSEs this summer although in his case he has dyspraxia. He is finding half of the computer science syllabus (computational thinking and programming) very hard although the other half is quite straight forward. He has his mock paper 2 next week so it'll be interesting to see how he does. Ideally we would get a tutor to support him but I can't find any in our area and it's outside both DH's and my expertise.

DS is doing higher level Science Trilogy and definitely finds physics easier then CS.

@lljkk I don't suppose you are a GCSE Computer Science teacher by any chance? It would save me starting another thread!

GrammarTeacher · 27/02/2022 05:31

I have never heard of being able to switch a science for CS at GCSE. I would triple check that is correct.
And lower grade boundaries aren't away to choose subjects. The papers will be different levels of difficulty. Grades move all the time as they are not criteria based.

Original poster
jadedagain · 27/02/2022 12:39

Totally understand the comments saying choose what he has an aptitude for-he doesn't have one for either to be honest! I just wondered if one was possibly easier to pass. I thought maybe physics because you can do the foundation paper. I was worried that CS may only be chosen by a brighter cohort as its usually an optional subject making it harder to achieve a pass (hence percentage of those passing is lower) but sounds like I've got that wrong.

OP posts:
stubiff · 27/02/2022 14:10

Then the one he loves the most, likes the most, can grin and bear it, or detests the least (delete as appropriate!)

CornishGem1975 · 27/02/2022 14:17

I'm surprised that it's actually a choice? Isn't physics compulsory?

My DS is doing Combined Science + Computer Science. He loves CS.

CraftyGin · 27/02/2022 14:24

He'll do physics come what may.

CornishGem1975 · 27/02/2022 14:28

Computer Science is my DS's favourite subject out of everything he's doing. He absolutely loves it.

stubiff · 27/02/2022 15:39

@CornishGem1975
Not compulsory at Independent schools only offering single sciences.

Comefromaway · 27/02/2022 15:43

Ds’s school allowed him to take CS instead of Biology so some schools do this (they changed back to combined science the next year though)

CornishGem1975 · 27/02/2022 17:12

Ah I see! I thought there was only Combined or Triple pathways. Explains that!

WhereAreWeNow · 27/02/2022 17:16

Following with interest as DD is struggling to choose between computer science and triple science. I think she enjoys CS more but I think that's partly about the teacher. She likes coding, Python, Scratch etc. I'd assumed that CS would be the easier option but from comments on here it sounds like actually it's a tough exam.

Beccatheboo · 27/02/2022 17:39

My DS built his own gaming computer and is generally very tech savvy but really regrets taking CS - it's tough! The teacher is poor, though. He's doing triple science, excelling in physics.

CraftyGin · 27/02/2022 19:06

I hate to say that building a computer is not the same as programming. CS is all about problem solving, not following instructions.