AS and A Level Biology A: Which of your suggested practical activities are essential for the exams?

Our suggested activities are entirely optional. It is essential for the A Level Practical Endorsement that students undertake a suitable range of practical work. Our suggested practical activities provide many routes to achieving that aim.

Schools and colleges can use some, all or none of our suggestions to augment their own programmes of practical work. You may use the activities 'as is', adapt them to suit your situation, or use them as exemplars in your planning. Alternatively, you may select other activities provided by third parties or that you have developed yourself, as long as these cover the requirements of the Practical Endorsement.

Exam questions are not necessarily based on our suggested practical activities. Our assessors will, however, assume that students are familiar with the specific practical skills mentioned in the specification, with which they should have gained familiarity through the Practical Endorsement.

The practical skills and techniques candidates are assessed on in the written examinations and in the Practical Endorsement are detailed in the specification and in the Practical Skills Handbook.

There is an FAQs page dedicated to the Practical Endorsement.