GCSE – Physics

Curriculum

Unit 1: ELECTRICITY, ENERGY AND Waves

Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 45% of qualification

This unit includes the following topics:

• 1.1 Electric circuits
• 1.2 Generating electricity
• 1.3 Making use of energy
• 1.4 Domestic electricity
• 1.5 Features of waves
• 1.6 The total internal reflection of waves
• 1.7 Seismic waves
• 1.8 Kinetic theory
• 1.9 Electromagnetism

Unit 2: FORCES, SPACE and RADIOACTIVITY

Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 45% of qualification

This unit includes the following topics:

• 2.1 Distance, speed and acceleration
• 2.2 Newton’s laws
• 2.3 Work and energy
• 2.4 Further motion concepts
• 2.5 Stars and planets
• 2.6 The Universe
• 2.7 Types of radiation
• 2.8 Half-life
• 2.9 Nuclear decay and nuclear energy

Unit 3: PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

The practical assessment counts 10% of the qualification.

WJEC will provide two tasks based on the content of GCSE Physics

Each task comprises two sections:

Section A – Obtaining results (6 marks)

Learners will be permitted to work in groups of no more than three, to obtain results from a given experimental method. This will be carried out under a limited level of control i.e. learners may work with others to obtain results but they must provide their own responses to the questions set. Teacher assistance should not normally be required, but may be given if equipment failure occurs.

Section A will be completed in one session of 60 minutes duration.

Section B – Analysing and evaluating results (24 marks)

Learners will be assessed on their ability to analyse and evaluate the data obtained in section A. They will require access to their section A assessment in order to complete this. Section B will be carried out under a high level of control i.e. learners must work individually. This section is to be completed with no teacher feedback or assistance allowed and under formal supervision.

Section B will be completed in one session of 60 minutes duration

Assessment

This is a unitised qualification which allows for an element of staged assessment.

There are two tiers of entry available for this qualification:

Higher Tier – (Grades A* – D)

Foundation Tier – (Grades C – G).

Unit 1: Electricity, Energy and Waves (Higher Tier)- 3420UA

Unit 2: Forces, Space and Radioactivity (Higher Tier) – 3420UB

Unit 3: Practical assessment – 3420U3

Access Arrangements

Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment.
For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way, Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.

We can arrange access arrangements and assess you with our special assessor.  The deadline for application to the exam board is the February of the year the learner sits the exams.

To find out more about exam access arrangements  click here

Study Options

You can choose from the following study options:

• Online classes
• Blended learning (in-person and online)
• Self-study

FAQs