Changes to IAS - 2018-2019 Biology, Chemistry & Physics - Biology, Chemistry and Physics 2018-2019
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Changes to IAS
Biology, Chemistry &
Physics
2018-2019
Welcome to
Our Parent Information Session
IAS Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Choice of Specification
Key Changes to IAS
Biology Chemistry Physics
Content more or less Movement of some topics More focus on mathematical
unchanged. within units (from unit 1 to skills at Level 2 or above
unit 2). Overall, a minimum of 40%
More focus on of marks across the papers
mathematical skills at Removal of some concepts
will be awarded for
Level 2 or above, a back into A2 (thiosulfate
mathematics at Level 2 or
minimum of 8 marks in titrations and born Haber).
unit 1 and 2. above.
Reduction in core practical's
Extended writing questions Extended writing questions
(6 marks) in Unit 2 that, Support given during (6 marks) in unit 2 that,
assesses a student’s ability calculations will be remove assesses a student’s ability
to show coherent and with students applying own to show coherent and
logically structured answer understanding and ability to logically structured answer
with linkages and fully- make linkages to answer with linkages and fully-
sustained reasoning. unstructured questions sustained reasoning. Marks
Marks are awarded for (previously structured). are awarded for indicative
indicative content and for content and for how the
how the answer is Extended writing questions
answer is structured and
structured and shows lines (6 marks) - as per Physics
shows lines of reasoning.
of reasoning. and Biology2013 vs 2018 specification
Current specification (2013) New specification (2018)
Our Year 12 students have been taught
the existing IAL specification for a
The new academic year 2018, will be the
number of years. Year 12 students
first time our students will be exposed to
across the three academies have been
the new specification and its content.
primarily exposed to the existing
specification.
Content is currently being covered by
Teachers will have to plan and teach the
well- qualified staff, who have taught the
content as they progress through the
content over many years and
course.
understand the demands of the course.
Updated content meeting took place in
No staff training needed. Staff have February 2018 for Physics and Chemistry
lesson plans, teaching resources, with exemplar materials provided. No
practical equipment and schedules training given for Biology to date. Staff
required to deliver the course content have no personal experience of the
effectively and efficiently. changes to the new content for all three
disciplines.2013 vs 2018 specification
Current specification (2013) New specification (2018)
No past paper question to allow students
Internal tests and end of semester
to practice and understand how
exams, are created from a generous
questions will be asked and assessed in
bank of actual past paper questions,
exams. Sample exam papers given but
mark schemes and examiners reports to
lacking in in rigour as mark schemes take
help support delivery of the course.
into account actual student responses.
More robust, especially challenging to
Comparatively easy curriculum
our second language students.
Plenty of resources are easily available
and students will have access to more Only one exemplar exam paper available
than 5 years worth of past papers and per unit, with proposed mark schemes
will be issued past papers booklets to and guidance.
develop practice.
Grade boundaries available for Biology No grade boundaries available until the
Chemistry and Physics for a range of first exams have been sat in 2019.
assessment cycles. Potentially next year 12 cohort.2013 vs 2018 specification
Current specification (2013) New specification (2018)
Better grades – the current curriculum is Introduction of new command words and
challenging, but the structure allows most those that will now feature more in exam
students to access the language and questions such as ‘derive’ ‘devise’
content of the specification. Issues with ‘determine’ ‘criticise’ ‘show that’, these are
the command words and questions still all terms that will feature in future exam
exists but working through past papers questions that students will have to learn
assists with students accessing the and apply with no real exam materials
content. (only exemplar available).
A focus on literacy throughout the
Quality of written communication will be specification, assessing the student’s
assessed in all units. Students are ability to show coherent and logically
required to write legibly, with accurate structured answer with linkages and fully-
use of spelling, grammar and punctuation sustained reasoning. Accurate use of
in order to make the meaning clear include the use of grammar, punctuation
and spelling.
First exams unit 1 available January
Option to sit in exams are limited. Last
2019, unit 2 and 3 available in June 2019
option available is June 2019.
for AS and onwardsAssessment overview – Unit 1
Current specification New specification
Chemistry (2013) Chemistry (2018)
Contains two sections Contains two sections
Unit 1 (Two sections)
Section A: objective test questions
Section A: multiple choice questions
Section B: mixture of short-answer
Section B: mixture of short-open,
and extended answer questions
open-response and calculation
questions.
Level 2 is IGCSE Maths at Include a minimum of 18 marks that
grades A*, A, B, C target mathematics at Level 2 or
above
Students will be expected to apply
their knowledge and understanding of
experimental methods in familiar
and unfamiliar contexts.Assessment overview – Unit 2
Current specification New specification
Chemistry (2013) Chemistry (2018)
Contains three sections Contains three sections
Section A: objective test questions Section A: multiple choice questions
Section B: mixture of short-open, open-
Section B: mixture of short-answer and response, calculations and extended-
extended answer questions writing questions
Section C: contemporary context
Section C: contemporary context question
questions.
Contain questions that require information
from the Data Booklet.
Level 2 is IGCSE Maths at Include a minimum of 18 marks that
grades A*, A, B, C target mathematics at Level 2 or above.
Expected to apply their knowledge and
understanding of experimental methods
in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.Assessment overview – Unit 3
Current specification New specification
Chemistry (2013) Chemistry (2018)
Contains one section Contains one section
This paper will have short-open, open- This paper may include short-open, open-
response and calculation questions. response and calculation questions.
Include a minimum of 6 marks that
target mathematics at Level 2 or above.
Expected to apply their knowledge and
understanding of experimental methods
in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.We highly encourage you to peruse the links below for further information. • Biology 2018 specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualific ations/edexcel-international-advanced- levels/biology-2018.html • Chemistry 2018 specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualific ations/edexcel-international-advanced- levels/chemistry-2018.html • Physics 2018 specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualific ations/edexcel-international-advanced- levels/physics-2018.html
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