I, as a Year 12 student, have been studying SA science for nearly two years now and stand to complete the GCSE in June. For my two years, I have heard many misconceptions about the subject, many minor and forgotten, but there have been some that have really wound me up. So I'm here to set you straight.
Ever since I started into Year 11, this question has always bothered me: "Which science option did you take? Triple award?" When my reply of "Single," came back, I was ALWAYS greeted with a look of utter surprise, and then confusion, as if to say, "But you're so much smarter than all that simple stuff." People have this idea that SA is for 'dossers' who just want to lie back and do nothing all day, no hopers who don't really care about work, and who aren't smart enough to do anything else.
I took SA however, because I didn't want to use up three subject choices on something which wasn't my main priority. I loved languages, art and history, and so SA allowed me to do them. Although it only counts as one choice, it is really the three courses rolled into one, meaning that yes, there is three times the work to be done, in the same time a triple or double award class would do one course. So it isn't all swinging on the chairs.
The courses are basically the same as the double and triple award courses, except that because time is so limited in SA, it goes into slightly less detail. You get 6 handouts, 2 for each science, an 'easy' one which covers the basics and a 'hard' one which goes into more difficult detail, and every three or four weeks you switch from one science to the other, gradually working through the courses. A supplementary textbook is given and throughout the two years you work from it and the handouts, plus various other books and sources. Two investigations must be completed as GCSE regulations, making up for 25% of your grade, to be done in Year 12. You have four periods of it one week, and five the next, just like your other subjects, and your Christmas/ Summer exams see you getting one large paper, usually an hour and a half in length, with the three sciences in separate sections. These tests are NOT easy! However the GCSE gives you a longer time for each, and then they are tested as three different subjects. It isn't an easy one to pass, but with steady work and commitment, you will.
So, should you take it? Well, if you know you want to keep your options open, it's a wise choice. Again, if you know you won't be pursuing a career within science and wish not to concentrate on it, I think it's the best option. Although there's a lot of work to be done (but no more than any other subject), it's enjoyable with good opportunities for practical work and won't take up your whole time table, which is definitely a plus.
It's up to you however, all this has just been a bit of insight and friendly help from your average nice Year 12. What I can say though is that choosing SA was the best decision I've made yet, and I'm DEFINITELY glad I took it. You will be too. Trust me!
REBECCA LOWE, Y12E.
Science Department, Loreto College, Coleraine.