GCSE The Sciences
The Sciences (Double Award) asks learners to research and evaluate scientific information, including how the media shapes public views, to write balanced answers on ethical and environmental issues, and to write up two scientific enquiries alone under high control using precise terminology. Its numeracy demand is high across six examinations and Unit 7: equations with SI units, chemical calculations, percentages, significant figures, graphs and gradients, sampling, probability in genetics and decay, and payback costs, with standard form, rearranging equations and y = mx + c at higher tier. The single biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is fluent, well set out calculation from practical data: correct units, substitution into equations, means and graphs, explained in precise scientific language.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2026
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Biology, Basis of Life: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 56 marks, 14.3%
- Unit 2: Chemistry, Chemical Substances and How They Behave: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 56 marks, 14.3%
- Unit 3: Physics, Forces, Motion and the Universe: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 56 marks, 14.3%
- Unit 4: Biology, Continuity of Life: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 64 marks, 15.7%
- Unit 5: Chemistry, Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Resources: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 64 marks, 15.7%
- Unit 6: Physics, Waves, Electricity and Energy: Written examination (tiered), 1 hour 15 minutes, 64 marks, 15.7%
- Unit 7: Scientific Enquiry: Two enquiries from a choice of three, each a practical task (1 hour) and a written task (1 hour), 28 marks each (56 marks), externally marked by WJEC, 10%
Skills that use Representing data
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Plotting graphs, gradients and decay curves
Learners plot two variables from data, use motion graphs, and find half-life from decay curves. Calculating acceleration from the gradient of a speed-time graph (page 30), rate from a straight line (page 25), and gradient, slope and intercept (Appendix D) are higher tier only.
Numeracy: Representing data, Interpreting data, Conceptual understanding
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils plot a cooling curve for stearic acid and read the melting point from the flat part of the graph.
- Year 8
- Pupils plot a distance-time graph for a trolley and decide which section was fastest from the steepness of the line.
- Year 9
- Pupils model decay by rolling 100 dice and removing every six after each throw, plot the number left against throw number, and read the half-life from their curve.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 6, Section 6.1.3, page 57
“determine the half-life of a radioisotope from a decay curve or data”
Progression step 3
I can select and construct appropriate charts, diagrams and graphs with suitable scales.
I can represent data using:
- lists, tally charts, tables, diagrams and frequency tables
- bar charts, grouped data charts, line graphs and conversion graphs
- pictograms where one symbol represents more than one unit using a key
- Venn and Carroll diagrams.
I can extract and interpret information from an increasing range of diagrams, timetables and graphs (including pie charts).
Progression step 4
I can construct and interpret graphs and diagrams (including pie charts) to represent discrete or continuous data, choosing an appropriate scale.
I can construct graphs to represent data including scatter diagrams to investigate correlation.
I can interpret mathematical information; drawing inferences from graphs, diagrams and data, including discussion on limitations of data.
Progression step 5
I can select and construct appropriate charts, diagrams and graphs with suitable scales.
I can interpret mathematical information; drawing inferences from graphs, diagrams and data, including discussion on limitations of data.
I can represent a concept in different ways, flowing between different representations including verbal, concrete, visual, digital and abstract.
Good to know
- Unit 7 has two enquiries. In each, Task 2 (22 marks) is written alone: 'Learners must work independently in high controlled conditions'. In Task 1 (6 marks) 'Learners may work in groups of no more than three' (page 64).
- Exam aids are provided: 'Unit 3 and Unit 6 will include equations on page 2 of the examination question paper', and Units 2 and 5 include a periodic table on the final page (page 66).
- Higher tier only mathematics is shown in bold in Appendix D (page 78): standard form, changing the subject of an equation, y = mx + c, and the gradient, slope and intercept of a linear graph. Converting grams to moles (page 22), calculating rate from a straight line (page 25), acceleration from the gradient of a speed-time graph (page 30) and reacting masses (page 52) are also higher tier content.
- The uncertainty formula is provided: 'There is a formula to calculate this which you will be given in an exam' (Appendix C, page 76).
- AO3, 'Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, processes, techniques and procedures', carries 25% of the marks in each unit (page 66).
- The specification awards no separate marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar and makes no statement about calculator use.
Links with other qualifications
The Appendix D mathematics overlaps closely with GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy, the scientific enquiry demands match GCSE Integrated Science, and the climate and sampling work overlaps with Geography.
Source: WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) specification, teaching from 2026, for award from 2028, © WJEC CBAC Ltd 2025.