Practical work
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What is practical work?
Why do we do practical work?
How much practical work is in the course?
How much practical work is assessed for the
examination?
21 Century Science
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Core Science
Additional Science
Additional Applied Science
Separate Sciences
Core Science
• Practical work total
• Case Study
• Data analysis
33.3%
20%
13.3%
Case Study
• The subject matter is chosen by the pupil usually
linked to an aspect of the course.
• The report can take a variety of formats.
• Skills required are those taught in the course
• E.g.
Judging the reliability of data
Assessing the quality of the science
Ability to extract information
Ability to find arguments for and against
Ability to critically evaluate data
Ability to reach a conclusion
Ability to communicate information effectively
Data Analysis
• Pupils carry out practical work and collect
results.
• Results from more than one group can be
included in the analysis
• The assessment starts at the results table and
includes the analysis and evaluation of the
data
Additional Science
• Practical work total
33.3%
• One complete investigation
33.3%
• Pupils have to plan, carry out, analyse and
evaluate an experiment.
Separate Sciences
Choice
• Single Investigation
Or
• Case Study plus Data Analysis
Additional Applied Science
• Practical work Total
50 %
• Work related report
• Standard procedures (6)
• Suitability Test
16.7%
12%
21%
Work related report
• Pupils research and write a report on the role
of a person whose job is covered during the
course such as a doctor, nurse, trading
standards official, environmental officer, etc.
• The research includes an interview of
someone employed in that role.
• A written report is submitted for assessment.
Suitability Test
• Based on practical work in a “real life” context
to assess the suitability of a technique or
piece of equipment for a specified task.
Standard procedure
• Pupils carry out a series of six standard
procedures which are integral to the course.
Gateway Science
• Total practical work
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Either:
“Can do” tasks
Science in the News
Or:
Research task
Data analysis task
Practical skills
33%
13.2%
19.8%
13.3%
16.7%
3.3%
Can do tasks
• Eight tasks out of 43 submitted.
• These are graded tasks worth from one to
three marks.
• Assess practical skills through experiments
that are integral to the course.
• Can do any number of tasks and submit the
best marks.
Science in the News
• Stimulus material provided by OCR. Article to
research and evaluate (will include data).
• Students then complete a written report of
not more than 800 words, based on Qs given.
• Any number may be attempted but only 1
submitted.
• Teacher marked using detailed mark scheme
provided by OCR.
Research task
• OCR provide the task, research prompts and
assessment criteria.
• Students have 1 week to carry out their
research and submit a report on this.
• They then complete the Case Study report
(not more than800 words).
• Teacher marked using the assessment criteria
provided.
Data Analysis task
• Analysis and evaluation of data and
experimental task.
• Primary and secondary data.
• OCR-set task.
• Teacher marked using detailed mark scheme
provided by OCR.
Edexcel
• Total practical work
• Three practical tasks
• Teacher assessed practical skills
40%
30%
10%
Edexcel
• IAA tasks, practical tasks defined by Edexcel to
be carried out in class.
• Task assessed by a written paper undertaken
under controlled conditions
• 3 tasks one each for biology, Physics and
Chemistry
• Teacher assessment of general practical skills
Comments from teachers
• Assessed practical work must be integral to the course and use /
reinforce the learning objectives and skills which are developed
during the course.
• Teachers need the freedom to use the assessed practical at the
appropriate point in the course.
• Assessing practical skills by a written paper taken under exam
conditions seems incongruous
• Practical work should be tailored to the course, the requirements of
Applied Science are very different to Additional Science.
• However communality between Additional Science and the
separate Sciences is useful as it allows flexibility in teaching , is
easier to manage and reduces the training requirement for staff.
Moderation of practical work
• Marking is always subjective
• Training is essential, should it be mandatory?
• Depends upon the experience and consistency
of exam board moderators
Issues
• Concerns about plagiarism could ruin good
assessment of practical work.
• Pressure from school SMT due to the number
of modular GCSE courses all requiring
controlled assessment.
• Reduction in the % of marks allocated for
practical assessment