Difference between IGCSE Combined Science and IGCSE Coordinated Science
giasuib.com – In the process of choosing IGCSE subjects, students have to choose between Combined Science and Coordinated Science. This article will help you know the difference between IGCSE Combined Science and IGCSE Coordinated Science
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Difference between IGCSE Combined Science and IGCSE Coordinated Science
About Award and Certification:
Although Coordinated science is treated as a single Science subject, students still study all three types of science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and will receive up to 2 certifications (2 IGCSE certificates with the same score).
For Combined Science, students can only receive 1 certificate and must study the same program with Coordinated Science but with less contents.
For more: IGCSE Biology tutoring center
About curriculum content:
IGCSE Coordinated Science will go through the entire content of the Combined Science course plus some more topics in all 3 modules of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
| Theme | Combined | Additional Subjects in Co-ordinated |
| Biology | ● Characteristics of Organisms
● Cells ● Biological Molecules ● Enzymes ● Plant Nutrition ● Animal Nutrition ● Transport ● Gas Exchange ● Coordination and Response ● Reproduction ● Organisms and their Environment ● Human Influences on Ecosystems |
● Inheritance |
| Chemistry | ● The Particulate Nature of Matter
● Experimental Techniques ● Atoms, Elements and Compounds ● Stoichiometry ● Electricity and Chemistry ● Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions ● Chemical Reactions ● ● Acids, Bases and Salts ● The Periodic Table ● Metals ● Air and Water ● Organic Chemistry |
● Sulfur
● Carbonates |
| Physics | ● Physics
● Motion ● Work, Energy and Power ● Thermal Physics ● Properties of Waves ● Electrical Quantities ● Electric Circuits |
● Electricity & magnetism
● Electromagnetic effects ● Atomic physics |
The Coordinated Science course offers a more comprehensive overview of the three sciences and is generally recommended for all students, especially individuals who wish to study science further.
The Combined Science course has less content and is designed for students who feel that science and Mathematics are not their strong points, so taking this course reduces the weight of the overall IGCSE program.
About assessment
One difference between IGCSE Combined Science and IGCSE Coordinated Science is in the assessment and examination process. In both courses, students can choose the Core or Extended level, but if you want to get above C or better then you should take the Extended course.
If students choose to study Core level, they will have to complete Paper 1 and Paper 3, but the assessment in Paper 3 of Coordinated Science will be longer and more difficult than in Combined Science.
As for the Extended level, students must complete Papers 2 and Paper 4, similar to Core, Paper 4 at Extended level of Coordinated Science will also be longer and more difficult than Combined Science.
For more: IGCSE exam preparation tips to achieve high performance
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice Paper (CORE) | |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Number of marks | 40 |
| Percentage of total grade | 30% |
| Paper 2: Multiple Choice Paper (EXTENDED) | |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Number of marks | 40 |
| Percentage of total grade | 30% |
| Paper 3: Short Answer and Structured Questions (CORE) | |
| Time | 2 hours (co-ordinated) / 1 hour 15 minutes (combined) |
| Number of marks | 120 |
| Percentage of total grade | 50 |
| Paper 4: Short Answer and Structured Questions (EXTENDED) | |
| Time | 2 hours (co-ordinated) / 1 hour 15 minutes (combined) |
| Number of marks | 120 |
| Percentage of total grade | 50% |
In addition to this, if you do either extended or core you will either have to take paper 5 or 6, as below.
| Paper 5: Practical Test | |
| Time | 2 hours (co-ordinated) / 1 hour 15 minutes (combined) |
| Number of marks | 60 |
| Percentage of total grade | 20% |
| Type of questions | Questions on experimental skills |
| Paper 6: Alternative to Practical | |
| Time | 1 hour 30 minutes (co-ordinated) / 1 hour (combined) |
| Number of marks | 60 |
| Percentage of total grade | 20% |
| Type of questions | Questions on experimental skills |
For more: How to choose IGCSE program materials?