Information for Candidates
The end of KS3 exam assesses you in four areas. These four areas are called:
SC1: Experimental and investigative science
SC2: Life processes and living things (BIOLOGY)
SC3: Materials and their properties (CHEMISTRY)
SC4: Physical properties (PHYSICS)
SC1 is assesed by your Science teacher(s) from the coursework you may have produced in Year 9. If you're not sure what this coursework is, ask your Science teacher(s).
Level Thresholds
At the end of Key Stage 3 (after completing your coursework and exams) you will be given an end of Key Stage 3 level. This ranges from a level 1 to a Level 7 (some websites will allow you to try a past "extension paper at Level 8." However you will now not be able to take one of these in the real exam as the exam board don't make them anymore.)
The majority of students at the end of Key Stage 3, will achieve a level between 3 and 7. But a typical 14 year old will achieve a Level 5 (this is called the "National Average Level"). Achieving a Level 5 in the sATs predicts you getting a Grade C in your Science GCSE exams (taken in Year 11). Hopefully this site will help you to boost up your level, and give you a good start to your Science GCSE course in years 10 and 11.
