Public examinations in Northern Ireland

GCSE (16 years old)

Schools are inspected by the DE's Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). An inspection may last anything between 3 days and 2 weeks with both an oral and written report are given to the Principal at the end.There are a total of around 196,000 students who take GCSE's each year (separate entries). Students begin their GCSE's in year 11 (age 14) and finish in year 12 (age 16).

Around 41,000 students take Science GCSE each year: approximately 31,500 take GSCE double award Science (worth 2 GCSEs) or triple award, i.e. Chemistry, Biology and Physics (3 separate GSCEs); the remaining 9,500 students take single award Science (reduced content). 

57% of students achieve grades A - C at GCSE and are eligible to take AS and A level in Chemistry, Biology or Physics. Of those eligible, only 5% go on to take A level Chemistry.

GCE (16+)

Table 3 shows data relating to the number of A Level students in England and Wales and NI.

GCE is divided into 2 levels:

1. AS level  
2. A2 level 

AS level is normally taken in Year 13 (old lower sixth) and students typically choose 4 AS subjects. This is followed by the A2 in Year 14 (old upper sixth), when students typically take 3 subjects.

The GCE specification adopts a modular structure and candidates are required to study 3 teaching and learning modules for the AS course and 6 modules for the full A Level course. The modules are listed below:

AS Module 1:     General Chemistry
AS Module 2:     Organic, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
AS Module 3:     Practical Examination
A2 Module 4:     Further Organic, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
A2 Module 5:     Analytical, Transition Metals and Further Organic Chemistry
A2 Module 6A:   Synoptic Paper
A2 Module 6B:   Teacher Assessed Coursework

The specification provides opportunity for assessing the following key skills at the level indicated:

• Communication - Level 3 
• Application of Number - Level 3 
• Information Technology - Level 3 
• Working with Others - Level 3 
• Improving Your Own Learning and Performance - Level 3 
• Problem Solving - Level 3    

Schools can choose their own examinations board. In 2003, the breakdown for A Level Chemistry was:

CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment)......58%

AQA (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)............................17%

ED EXCEL (Educational Excellence).................................................17%

OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations).............................8%