Effective for examination from
Effective for examination from 2020
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 1
, Changes to Syllabus effective from 2020
The changes in this Assessment Syllabus are;
Syllabus Content
The syllabus content has not changed but the core and extended objectives have been combined
to make the specific objectives.
Structure of Assessment
The assessment structure has not changed, however, the Theory paper and the Alternative to
Practical paper have been renumbered. The papers are now:
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
Paper 2: Theory
Paper 3: Practical Test
Paper 4: Alternative to Practical Test
Reporting
The Grade descriptors have been revised to make them communicate better.
The grade descriptors for F have been replaced by grade descriptors for E.
Assessment Grid
The relationship between the assessment objectives and components is more detailed showing the
number of marks for each assessment objective per component.
The Periodic Table
The Periodic Table has been revised to improve its relevance.
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 2
,CONTENTS PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 4
2. SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT 5
2.1 THE COMPONENTS 5
2.2 AVAILABILITY 6
2.3 COMBINING THIS SYLLABUS WITH OTHER SYLLABUSES 6
3 SYLLABUS AIMS AND ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES 7
3.1 AIMS 7
3.2 ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES 8
3.3 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS 10
4 CONTENT 11
5 OTHER INFORMATION 27
5.1 GRADING AND REPORTING 27
5.2 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR PRACTICAL SKILLS 27
5.3 GRADE DESCRIPTORS 30
6 APPENDICES 33
A: MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 33
B: PHYSICAL QUANTITIES SYMBOLS AND UNITS 34
C: GLOSSARY OF TERMS 34
D: PRESENATTION OF DATA 36
E: NOTES FOR USE IN QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 37
F: PERIODIC TABLE 38
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 3
, 1. Introduction
As part of the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education, this Chemistry Assessment
Syllabus is designed to assess the outcome of instruction for candidates who have completed a
course based on the Senior Secondary Chemistry Teaching Syllabus.
This syllabus aims to assess positive achievement at all levels of ability. Candidates will be
assessed in ways that encourage them to show what they know, understand and can do, and
which provide opportunities to articulate their insights, perceptions and responses.
This Chemistry Assessment Syllabus should be read in conjunction with the Senior Secondary
Chemistry Teaching Syllabus
Progression
The BGCSE is a general qualification that enables candidates to progress either directly to
employment or to proceed to further qualifications.
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 4
Effective for examination from 2020
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 1
, Changes to Syllabus effective from 2020
The changes in this Assessment Syllabus are;
Syllabus Content
The syllabus content has not changed but the core and extended objectives have been combined
to make the specific objectives.
Structure of Assessment
The assessment structure has not changed, however, the Theory paper and the Alternative to
Practical paper have been renumbered. The papers are now:
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
Paper 2: Theory
Paper 3: Practical Test
Paper 4: Alternative to Practical Test
Reporting
The Grade descriptors have been revised to make them communicate better.
The grade descriptors for F have been replaced by grade descriptors for E.
Assessment Grid
The relationship between the assessment objectives and components is more detailed showing the
number of marks for each assessment objective per component.
The Periodic Table
The Periodic Table has been revised to improve its relevance.
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 2
,CONTENTS PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 4
2. SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT 5
2.1 THE COMPONENTS 5
2.2 AVAILABILITY 6
2.3 COMBINING THIS SYLLABUS WITH OTHER SYLLABUSES 6
3 SYLLABUS AIMS AND ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES 7
3.1 AIMS 7
3.2 ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES 8
3.3 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS 10
4 CONTENT 11
5 OTHER INFORMATION 27
5.1 GRADING AND REPORTING 27
5.2 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR PRACTICAL SKILLS 27
5.3 GRADE DESCRIPTORS 30
6 APPENDICES 33
A: MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 33
B: PHYSICAL QUANTITIES SYMBOLS AND UNITS 34
C: GLOSSARY OF TERMS 34
D: PRESENATTION OF DATA 36
E: NOTES FOR USE IN QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 37
F: PERIODIC TABLE 38
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 3
, 1. Introduction
As part of the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education, this Chemistry Assessment
Syllabus is designed to assess the outcome of instruction for candidates who have completed a
course based on the Senior Secondary Chemistry Teaching Syllabus.
This syllabus aims to assess positive achievement at all levels of ability. Candidates will be
assessed in ways that encourage them to show what they know, understand and can do, and
which provide opportunities to articulate their insights, perceptions and responses.
This Chemistry Assessment Syllabus should be read in conjunction with the Senior Secondary
Chemistry Teaching Syllabus
Progression
The BGCSE is a general qualification that enables candidates to progress either directly to
employment or to proceed to further qualifications.
BGCSE Chemistry Assessment Syllabus Page 4
