GCSE Science₈₄₆₅

The specification is presented in a three-column format.

The left-hand column includes all the Department for Education (DfE) combined science content statements. These statements specify the science that students are expected to recall, describe, define, explain or evaluate. Some statements have been edited slightly, where one part of a statement appears in one topic and the rest in another topic.

The middle column indicates the breadth and depth of treatment of the specified science. This column includes the terminology and conventions that students are required to be familiar with. It is the left-hand and middle columns taken together that specify the required science content. 

The right-hand column exemplifies opportunities for skills to be developed throughout the course:

• WS refers to skills of Working scientifically
• MS refers to the DfE 'Use of Mathematics' statements and the mathematical skills listed in Mathematical requirements

Some of the 'discuss' and 'evaluate' statements from the DfE combined science content are included in the right-hand column because they describe skills more than content. All of the DfE 'Use of Mathematics' statements are referenced in the right-hand column against the relevant subject content.

Content that is only applicable to Higher Tier is indicated by (HT only), either next to the topic heading where it applies to the whole topic or immediately preceding each paragraph or bullet point as applicable.

Content of all three columns is assessable. Content of topics 4.1–4.4 will be assessed in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Content of topics 4.5–4.8 will be assessed in Paper 3 and Paper 4.

There are 21 required practicals in this specification. These are listed at appropriate points in the subject content. Within these practicals, AT refers to the list of apparatus and techniques given in Use of apparatus and techniques .

• •4.1 Building blocks
• •4.2 Transport over larger distances
• •4.3 Interactions with the environment
• •4.4 Explaining change
• •4.5 Building blocks for understanding
• •4.6 Interactions over small and large distances
• •4.7 Movement and interactions
• •4.8 Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future
• •4.9 Key ideas