Popular Subjects
Below are examples of some of the popular subjects that we offering tutoring classes. We have broken down the specification at a glance and what will be assessed in the exam papers for AQA GCSE and A-Levels as this is the most preferred exam board that most of our students follow.
Maths GCSE & A-Levels
GCSE Mathematics has a Foundation tier (grades 1 – 5) and a Higher tier (grades 4 – 9). Students must take three question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series. Core curriculum include:
1. Number
2. Algebra
3. Ratio, proportion and rates of change
4. Geometry and measures
5. Probability
6. Statistics
A-Level Mathematics is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Paper 1
What’s assessed:
Any content from:
A: Proof
B: Algebra and functions
C: Coordinate geometry
D: Sequences and series
E: Trigonometry
F: Exponentials and logarithms
G: Differentiation
H: Integration
I: Numerical methods
Paper 2
What’s assessed:
Any content from Paper 1 and content from:
J: Vectors
P: Quantities and units in mechanics
Q: Kinematics
R: Forces and Newton’s laws
S: Moments
Paper 3
What’s assessed:
Any content from Paper 1 and content from:
K: Statistical sampling
L: Data presentation and Interpretation
M: Probability
N: Statistical distributions
O: Statistical hypothesis testing
Edexcel and AQA both have their non-calculator as paper 1, whereas OCR differs by placing the non-calculator paper in the middle of the series. Additionally, each paper for OCR is out of 100 marks rather than 80.
English Literature GCSE & A-Levels
For GCSE English Literature all students will be assessed on a Shakespeare play.
Schools and colleges can then choose two of the following three areas:
– Anthology of poetry
– Modern text
– 19th-century novel.
GCSE exams in English literature include questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:
– draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
– provide extended responses.
All materials are available in English only.
A-level English Language and Literature Subject content:
– Remembered places
– Imagined worlds
– Poetic voices
– Writing about society
– Critical commentary
– Dramatic encounters
– Making connections
Paper 1: Telling stories
What’s assessed:
– Remembered places – the representation of place
– Imagined worlds – point of view and genre in prose
– Poetic voices – the forms and functions of poetic voice
– Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Paper 2: Exploring conflict
What’s assessed:
– Writing about society – the role of the individual in society, and re-creative writing based on set texts
– Critical commentary – evaluating own writing
– Dramatic encounters – conflict in drama
– Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Non-exam assessment: Making connections
What’s assessed
– Making connections – investigation on a chosen theme and texts
– Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activity
AQA assesses one reading Assessment Objective per question. OCR assesses two reading Assessment Objectives on the comparison questions. The AQA creative writing tasks have a choice of a visual or written prompt. OCR only use written prompts.
History GCSE & A-Levels
For GCSE English History the subject content states that the scope of study should include history:
from three eras:
– Medieval (500–1500)
– Early Modern (1450–1750)
– Modern (1700–present day)
on three timescales:
– short (depth study)
– medium (period study)
– long (thematic study)
on three geographical contexts:
– a locality (the historic environment)
– British
– European and/or wider world settings.
British history must form a minimum of 40% of the assessed content over the full course.
Students are required to study:
– One thematic study
– One period study
– Two depth studies
– A study of the historic environment
The subject content for GCSE History requires that students follow a ‘coherent and substantial study of history in which the elements are reasonably balanced’.
A-level History content:
Component 1: Breadth study
– 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
– 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
– 1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
– 1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
– 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
– 1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885
– 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
– 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
– 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
– 1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
– 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991
Component 2: Depth study
– 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
– 2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
– 2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
– 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
– 2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
– 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715
– 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
– 2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
– 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
– 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941
– 2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
– 2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
– 2N Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
– 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
– 2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
– 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
– 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
– 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
– 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
Component 3: Historical Investigation
AQA, Edexcel and OCR have all interpreted the content and assessment very differently for History. At least one of your papers will have a primary source question that requires you to evaluate the provenance of the sources alongside the content.
Physics GCSE & A-Levels
For GCSE Physics the qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
1. Energy
2. Electricity
3. Particle model of matter
4. Atomic structure
5. Forces
6. Waves
7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
8. Space physics (physics only)
Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics.
Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from Energy and Electricity.
A-level Physics Subject content:
These qualifications are linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.
Subject Content:
Core content:
1. Measurements and their errors
2. Particles and radiation
3. Waves
4. Mechanics and materials
5. Electricity
6. Further mechanics and thermal physics
7. Fields and their consequences
8. Nuclear physics
Options
9. Astrophysics
10. Medical physics
11. Engineering physics
12. Turning points in physics
13. Electronics
Paper 1
What’s assessed
Sections 1 to 5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)
Paper 2
What’s assessed
Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8
Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1
Paper 3
What’s assessed
Section A Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis
Section B: Students enter for one of sections 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13
Chemistry GCSE & A-Levels
For GCSE Chemistry this qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject Content:
1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
3. Quantitative chemistry
4. Chemical changes
5. Energy changes
6. The rate and extent of chemical change
7. Organic chemistry
8. Chemical analysis
9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
10. Using resources
Assessments
Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
For AS and A-Level Chemistry this qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.
Subject Content:
3.1 Physical chemistry
3.1.1 Atomic structure
3.1.2 Amount of substance
3.1.3 Bonding
3.1.4 Energetics
3.1.5 Kinetics
3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
3.1.8 Thermodynamics (A-level only)
3.1.9 Rate equations (A-level only)
3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A-level only)
3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)
3.1.12 Acids and bases (A-level only)
3.2 Inorganic chemistry
3.2.1 Periodicity
3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens
3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only)
3.2.5 Transition metals (A-level only)
3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only)
3.3 Organic chemistry
3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry
3.3.2 Alkanes
3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes
3.3.4 Alkenes
3.3.5 Alcohols
3.3.6 Organic analysis
3.3.7 Optical isomerism (A-level only)
3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones (A-level only)
3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only)
3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry (A-level only)
3.3.11 Amines (A-level only)
3.3.12 Polymers (A-level only)
3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A-level only)
3.3.14 Organic synthesis (A-level only)
3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A-level only)
3.3.16 Chromatography (A-level only)
Paper 1 AS:
What’s assessed
Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 and 3.1.7)
Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2.1 to 3.2.3)
Relevant practical skills
Paper 2 AS:
What’s assessed
Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6)
Organic chemistry (section 3.3.1 to 3.3.6)
Relevant practical skills
Paper 1 A-Level:
What’s assessed
Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12)
Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2)
Paper 2 A-Level:
What’s assessed
Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9)
Organic chemistry (section 3.3)
Relevant practical skills
Paper 3 A-Level:
What’s assessed
Any content
Any practical skills
Biology GCSE & A-Levels
For GCSE Biology this qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content:
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
8. Key ideas
Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
For AS and A-Level Chemistry this qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.
Subject Content:
Core content
1 Biological molecules
2 Cells
3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
5 Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only)
6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only)
7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only)
8 The control of gene expression (A-level only)
Paper 1 AS:
What’s assessed
Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills
Paper 2 AS:
What’s assessed
Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills
Paper 1 A-level:
What’s assessed
Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills
Paper 2 A-Level:
What’s assessed
Any content from topics 5–8, including relevant practical skills
Paper 3 A-Level:
What’s assessed
Any content from topics 1–8, including relevant practical skills
AQA is considered to comprise the easiest and most straightforward exam board for Biology. OCR is not as favourable for most of the students because of the additional study material. Edexcel has been identified as the trickiest one among all the exam boards.
Science GCSE Synergy & Trilogy
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content:
1. Building blocks
2. Transport over larger distances
3. Interactions with the environment
4. Explaining change
5. Building blocks for understanding
6. Interactions over small and large distances
7. Movement and interactions
8. Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future
9. Key ideas
Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Life and environmental sciences
Topics 4.1–4.4: Building blocks; Transport over larger distances; Interactions with the environment and Explaining change.
Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Life and environmental sciences
Topics 4.1–4.4: Building blocks; Transport over larger distances; Interactions with the environment and Explaining change.
Paper 3:
What’s assessed
Physical sciences
Topics 4.5–4.8: Building blocks for understanding; Interactions over small and large distances; Movement and interactions and Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future.
Paper 4:
What’s assessed
Physical sciences
Topics 4.5–4.8: Building blocks for understanding; Interactions over small and large distances; Movement and interactions and Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future.
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content:
Biology
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
Chemistry
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10. Quantitative chemistry
11. Chemical changes
12. Energy changes
13. The rate and extent of chemical change
14. Organic chemistry
15. Chemical analysis
16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
17. Using resources
Physics
18. Energy
19. Electricity
20. Particle model of matter
21. Atomic structure
22. Forces
23. Waves
24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
Biology Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Biology Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Chemistry Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Chemistry Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Physics Paper 1:
What’s assessed
Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Physics Paper 2:
What’s assessed
Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
The AQA papers are equally weighted, putting less pressure on students to do better in one than the other. Edexcel’s two papers are split 40%/60% and have a greater emphasis on persuasive and instructional writing. Edexcel offer students a choice of writing questions on both papers.
Geography GCSE & A-Levels
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content:
Living with the physical environment
3.1.1 Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
3.1.2 Section B: The living world
3.1.3 Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK
Challenges in the human environment
3.2.1 Section A: Urban issues and challenges
3.2.2 Section B: The changing economic world
3.2.3 Section C: The challenge of resource management
Geographical applications
3.3.1 Section A: Issue evaluation
3.3.2 Section B: Fieldwork
Geographical skills
3.4 Geographical skills
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment
What’s assessed
3.1.1 The challenge of natural hazards, 3.1.2 The living world, 3.1.3 Physical landscapes in the UK, 3.4 Geographical skills
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment
What’s assessed
3.2.1 Urban issues and challenges, 3.2.2 The changing economic world, 3.2.3 The challenge of resource management, 3.4 Geographical skills
Paper 3: Geographical applications
What’s assessed
3.3.1 Issue evaluation, 3.3.2 Fieldwork, 3.4 Geographical skills
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.
Subject content:
Physical geography
1. Water and carbon cycles
2. Hot desert systems and landscapes
3. Coastal systems and landscapes
4. Glacial systems and landscapes
5. Hazards
6. Ecosystems under stress
Human geography
7. Global systems and global governance
8. Changing places
9. Contemporary urban environments
10. Population and the environment
11. Resource security
Geography fieldwork investigation
12. Fieldwork requirements
13. Investigation requirements
Geographical skills
14. Geographical skills checklist
Component 1: Physical geography
What’s assessed
Section A: Water and carbon cycles
Section B: either Hot desert systems and landscapes or Coastal systems and landscapes or Glacial systems and landscapes
Section C: either Hazards or Ecosystems under stress
Component 2: Human geography
What’s assessed
Section A: Global systems and global governance
Section B: Changing places
Section C: either Contemporary urban environments or Population and the environment or Resource security
Component 3: Geography fieldwork investigation
What’s assessed
Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content.
For Geography, the most popular exam board for GCSE students is AQA. Although Edexcel and OCR both provide suitable exams, schools simply prefer the style of questions in the AQA exam and find the content both interesting enough to keep students engaged and easy to use in detailed written answers.
The AQA exam itself is quite difficult, as there is barely enough time allocated to write solid answers to questions. However, the grade boundaries in Geography, are incredibly low compared to the two other exam boards, making the OCR and Edexcel courses less desirable to follow.