pearson epq word count?

8

hi! ive just finished writing my discussion for my epq, and the total word count is around 6.5k words (~800 in my introduction / ~500 in my conclusion), im yet to write my literarure review, my evaluation (though i believe this doesnt have a cap) and my abstract. but ive been speaking to my friend who is on another exam board for epq and she says the entire thing has to be 5-6k words, clearly im over that limit and i don't know what to do. i can't find anything concrete on what the pearson word count is but i don't know if im looking in the wrong places, any help would be great as i am freaking OUT!

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

22

Original post

by guessimlink

hi! ive just finished writing my discussion for my epq, and the total word count is around 6.5k words (~800 in my introduction / ~500 in my conclusion), im yet to write my literarure review, my evaluation (though i believe this doesnt have a cap) and my abstract. but ive been speaking to my friend who is on another exam board for epq and she says the entire thing has to be 5-6k words, clearly im over that limit and i don't know what to do. i can't find anything concrete on what the pearson word count is but i don't know if im looking in the wrong places, any help would be great as i am freaking OUT!

As a rough aim, it should be between 5-6k words yes. You won't be penalised if you genuinely need more/less words, but of course a skill of the EPQ is to get information delivered in a concise and effective way. If you're just waffling, start looking at cutting the waffle out.

Reply 2

ann!na

11

Original post

by guessimlink

hi! ive just finished writing my discussion for my epq, and the total word count is around 6.5k words (~800 in my introduction / ~500 in my conclusion), im yet to write my literarure review, my evaluation (though i believe this doesnt have a cap) and my abstract. but ive been speaking to my friend who is on another exam board for epq and she says the entire thing has to be 5-6k words, clearly im over that limit and i don't know what to do. i can't find anything concrete on what the pearson word count is but i don't know if im looking in the wrong places, any help would be great as i am freaking OUT!

I’d recommend confirming details with your teacher assessor. I’ve recently completed my Pearson EPQ, and here’s all the information & guidance my teacher assessor provided.

We were told to complete our EPQ in this order: Literature Review -> Introduction -> Discussion-> Conclusion -> Abstract. You’re supposed to do literature review at the beginning so you can gather sources and decide which ones to cite in your EPQ (& therefore main discussion), and which ones to just put in your bibliography. Cited goes in the referencing section, not cited goes in the bibliography.

I’m going to assume you did Unit 1: Dissertation, as the word count is drastically different for each unit (dissertation, investigation, performance, or artefact).
Total word count for dissertation is 6000 words, split into:
Abstract - 200 words (Past tense)
Introduction - 800 words (Future Tense)
Literature/ Research Review - 1800 words
Discussion - 2700 words
Conclusion - 500 words
The bibliography, references, activity log etc. do not have a word count limit.

I was told that if you go over this word count, the examiner is not required to read it, and likely wouldn’t. If you were up to 50 words over (or under) I wouldn’t worry, but going drastically over wouldn’t be advisable. Summarisation is a key skill you develop during EPQ. Other exam boards (e.g. AQA) have different word count limits, so I’d double check your exam board with your teacher assessor.

If you have any questions let me know. I can email you all the resources I was given too if you’d like them.

Reply 3

Muttley79

20

Original post

by guessimlink

hi! ive just finished writing my discussion for my epq, and the total word count is around 6.5k words (~800 in my introduction / ~500 in my conclusion), im yet to write my literarure review, my evaluation (though i believe this doesnt have a cap) and my abstract. but ive been speaking to my friend who is on another exam board for epq and she says the entire thing has to be 5-6k words, clearly im over that limit and i don't know what to do. i can't find anything concrete on what the pearson word count is but i don't know if im looking in the wrong places, any help would be great as i am freaking OUT!

All the exam information is here: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-project-qualification/level-3.html

Reply 4

Muttley79

20

"Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Extended Project
Unit 1 Guidance – Dissertation – Issue 4 – November 2023 © Pearson Education Limited 2023 1

It is estimated that the dissertation produced will be 5000–6000 words in length. Learners will not be penalised for producing work outside the suggested word count, but they should ensure their word count allows them to meet the assessment
objectives."

Reply 5

jessatkinson

10

I handed mine in a few months ago (same exam board) and I was wayyyy over the character limit. I haven’t got my results back yet (in 2 weeks) however my teacher never mentioned it and told me I should receive a good grade so I wouldn’t stress. I think it is just guidance.

pearson epq word count?

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