The CCEA GCSE Double Award Science specification is a broad and coherent course that develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the material, physical and living worlds.

Students develop their observational and problem-solving skills in the laboratory and during fieldwork. They also enhance their ability to evaluate scientific claims through qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Students gain two GCSEs for completing Double Award Science. Practical science is a key part of this specification; students carry out 18 prescribed practicals during the course.

Our GCSE science specifications are the only ones to directly examine practical work, a core element of the subject, as part of a unit titled Practical Skills.

All parts of the assessment are externally marked.

This qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the Science and Technology Area of Learning.

This specification is unitised, with some units available in November, February and Summer, so it’s possible to take part of the assessment before the end of the course.

The specification has seven units:

• Biology Unit B1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
• Chemistry Unit C1: Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis
• Physics Unit P1: Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion
• Biology Unit B2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
• Chemistry Unit C2: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry
• Physics Unit P2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics
• Unit 7: Practical Skills.