A level Required Practicals

I have just started my A-levels and in Biology and Physics there are these required assessed practicals we have to complete. My old high school gave us little preparation regarding practicals and I'm just a clumsy person in general. I'm struggling to get through one assessed practical without doing something wrong, I've already smashed beakers and test tubes as well as forgetting to put goggles on. I was just wondering does anyone know how much these practicals affect our grade (if they do at all) and how hard it is to pass the practical endorsement?

Reply 1

Vikingninja

Physics A for AQA practicals contribute to 20% of the overall grade. How many assessed practicals have you done so far?

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 2

HeadHoncho

For biology, it doesn’t actually affect your grade, that’s solely based on exams. However if you don’t pass (probably harder to fail than pass) then for the majority of Unis your exam grade won’t matter, you’ve basically failed in their eyes. So you can get an A* and fail but it would mean nothing

Reply 3

laclare

Original post by Vikingninja

Physics A for AQA practicals contribute to 20% of the overall grade. How many assessed practicals have you done so far?

Oh, I've done one so far.

Reply 4

laclare

Original post by HeadHoncho

So not many people fail then? I think that's a bit harsh of Unis though.

Reply 5

HeadHoncho

Original post by laclare

So not many people fail then? I think that's a bit harsh of Unis though.

In my year, even people who broke something every practical passed. Not really harsh, science isn’t solely theory, practicals and experiments are a massive part so if you can’t do practicals well you’re not really a competent scientist