What is an ISA?

• An ISA is a controlled assessment. • It tests your science skills. • You need to complete one for each GCSE

in science that you do.

The ISA counts 25% towards that GCSE.

Levels of Control• Limited Control:

Candidates can work unsupervised and outside of the classroom. Candidates will carry out practical work under supervision.

• High Control:

Candidates work individually to complete their reports under conditions of high control at the centre and under direct, formal supervision.

What is in an isa?

• Each ISA takes approximately 7 lessons to complete.

• It includes practical and written assessments in the form of two exam papers.

Key Terms

PrecisionPrecise Measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value.

PredictionA prediction is a statement suggesting what will happen in the future, based on observation, experience or a hypothesis.

RangeThe minimum and maximum values of the IV and/or DV.

RepeatableA measurement is repeatable if the experimenter can use the same method and equipment and obtain the same result

ReproducibleA measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by a different person and the same results are obtained.

ResolutionThe smallest change in the quantity being measured of a measuring instrument.

Sketch GraphA line graph, not necessarily on a grid, showing the relationship between two variables. No plots or scales used, but line of best fit drawn and axes labelled.

UncertaintyResults not quite where they are expected to be, which can be attributed to a problem with the method.

Control Variable (CV)A variable which is kept constant so that it does not affect the outcome of the investigation.

Independent Variable (IV)The variable that has values changed or selected by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable (DV)The variable that is measured for each and every change of the IV.

AccuracyAn accurate measurement is considered to be close to the true value

VariablesThese are physical, chemical or biological quantities or characteristics

Categoric VariableCategoric variables are labels. For instance, type of material, brand of shoe or name of plant.

Continuous VariableA variable that can have a quantity (a number).

Calibration

Setting the scales to zero.

Measurement Error

The difference between a measured value and the true value

Systematic ErrorMeasurements that differ from the true value by a consistent amount.Caused by the method used, equipment or the environment.

Random ErrorCause readings to unpredictably spread about the true value.Reduced by repeat measurements and the calculation of the mean.

Zero Error

Any indication that a measuring instrument gives a false reading when the true value of a quantity is zero.

AnomaliesThese are values in a set of results that are not judged to be part of the overall pattern.

IntervalThe quantity between readings.

(e.g. Six readings equally spaced between 0 and 50cm would give an interval of 10cm)