Practical science support for private candidates
Taking a Science qualification as a private candidate can involve more than sitting the written examinations.
We support private candidates taking GCSE, AS Level and A Level Science qualifications, helping you understand and meet the practical requirements of your chosen qualification.
Examination Centre | NCN 32269
1. SCIENCE PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS
What practical work will I need to complete?
Practical requirements depend on the qualification, subject and awarding organisation you are taking.
GCSE, AS Level and A Level Science all involve practical skills, but the requirements and how they are assessed are different.
GCSE SCIENCE
Practical requirements apply
Practical knowledge and skills are assessed within the written examinations.
No separate Practical Endorsement
AS LEVEL SCIENCE
Practical skills
required
required
Practical skills and understanding are assessed within the written examinations.
No separate Practical Endorsement
A LEVEL SCIENCE
Biology | Chemistry | Physics
Candidates undertake practical activities and demonstrate the required practical competencies.
Separate Practical Endorsement
2. GCSE SCIENCE PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS
Practical work forms part of your GCSE Science qualification
GCSE Science does not have a separately reported Practical Endorsement. However, practical skills and knowledge form part of the qualification and are assessed within the written examinations.
Qualification
Required practical activities
GCSE Biology
10
GCSE Chemistry
8
GCSE Physics
10
GCSE Cobined Sciences
21
3. A LEVEL SCIENCE PRACTICAL ENDORSEMENT
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics include a Practical Endorsement in addition to the written examinations.
Candidates must complete appropriate practical activities and demonstrate the required competencies against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC).
The Practical Endorsement is reported separately from the A Level grade as Pass or Not Classified.
AQA candidates undertake 12 required practical activities per subject and must demonstrate the required practical competencies.
Candidates must also maintain an appropriate record of their practical work.
Completing the practical activities alone does not guarantee a Pass.
OCR uses Practical Activity Groups (PAGs), with candidates completing a minimum of 12 practical activities covering the required practical skills and competencies.
Candidates must maintain an appropriate record of their practical work.
Completing the practical activities alone does not guarantee a Pass.
AQA and OCR at a glance
| Requirement | AQA | OCR |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Activities | 12 required practical activities per subject | Minimum 12 practical activities |
| Assessment Criteria | CPAC | CPAC |
| Candidate Record | Required | Required |
| Endorsement Result | Pass / Not Classified | Pass / Not Classified |
| Approach | AQA-defined required practicals | Flexible activities covering OCR PAGs and requirements |
4. ALREADY COMPLETED YOUR PRACTICAL ENDORSEMENT?
You may not need to complete the practicals again
If you have previously achieved a Practical Endorsement in A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics, your previous result may be eligible to be carried forward when you resit the qualification.
This may also apply where your previous Practical Endorsement was completed through a different awarding organisation.
Tell us when you apply. Our Exams Team will check whether your previous result can be carried forward before arranging any new practical provision.
Information we may need
5. HOW PRACTICAL PROVISION WORKS
What if I need a new Practical Endorsement?
If you require a new Practical Endorsement, suitable practical provision will need to be arranged with an appropriate laboratory and qualified staff.
Where practical provision is required, we will confirm the arrangements, location, dates and applicable fees before you proceed.
Written examinations
Your written examinations will be taken through North West Education Hub.
If practical activities are delivered at an approved partner location, full details will be provided as part of your arrangements.
6. SCIENCE PRACTICAL FEES
How much does the Practical Endorsement cost?
The cost of completing a new A Level Science Practical Endorsement is not included within the standard examination entry fee.
Practical fees will depend on the subject and the practical provision required.
If you require a new Practical Endorsement, we will confirm the applicable cost as part of your final quotation before you proceed.
Where additional administration or verification is required to check whether a previous Practical Endorsement can be carried forward, we will advise you of any applicable charge in advance.
7. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No. The separately reported Practical Endorsement applies to A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
GCSE Science candidates are still expected to develop practical knowledge and skills relevant to their specification, and these are assessed within the written examinations.
No. AS Level Science does not have the separately reported Practical Endorsement used for A Level Science.
Practical knowledge and skills remain an important part of the qualification and are assessed through the written examinations.
The Practical Endorsement forms part of A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics provision.
Candidates should also check the requirements of any university, course or other progression route they are considering, as these may include requirements relating to the Practical Endorsement.
No.
Candidates must demonstrate the required practical competencies. Attendance or simply completing the practical activities does not automatically guarantee a Pass.
Your progress will be assessed during the practical programme.
If you have not demonstrated all of the required competencies, you will be advised about your position and any available next steps.
Additional practical sessions or assessment, where available and required, may involve an additional fee.
Not necessarily.
It may be possible to carry forward a previous Practical Endorsement result, depending on your circumstances and the relevant awarding organisation requirements.
Tell us about your previous endorsement when you apply and our Exams Team will check this before arranging any new practical provision.
Please contact our Exams Team before making any arrangements.
Whether this can be accommodated will depend on the qualification, awarding organisation, practical arrangements and the requirements of the examination centre making your written examination entry.
We will advise you whether we can support the proposed arrangement.
Please contact us before booking practical provision with another provider.
We will need to establish whether the proposed arrangement can be accepted for the qualification and awarding organisation concerned and whether the required information and evidence can be provided.
Need tuition alongside your examinations?
North West Education Hub is also home to Bury Tuition Centre, offering specialist Science tuition to support your exam preparation.
Whether you need occasional support or regular tuition, our experienced teachers can help.
You do not need to study with us to sit your examinations with us.