AS AND
A-LEVEL
CHEMISTRY
AS (7404)
A-level (7405)
Required practical handbook
Version 2.0
,This is the Chemistry version of this practical handbook.
The sections on tabulating data, significant figures, uncertainties, graphing, and subject
specific vocabulary are particularly useful for students and could be printed as a student
booklet by schools.
The information in this document is correct, to the best of our knowledge as of October 2017.
Key
There have been a number of changes to how practical work will be assessed in the new A-levels.
Some of these have been AQA-specific, but many are by common agreement between all the
exam boards and Ofqual.
The symbol signifies that all boards have agreed to this.
The symbol is used where the information relates to AQA only.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 2 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
,Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4
Practical work in reformed A-level Biology, Chemistry and Physics ............................................. 7
Practical skills assessment in question papers .......................................................................... 12
Guidelines for supporting students in practical work .................................................................. 18
Use of lab books........................................................................................................................ 20
Cross-board statement on CPAC .............................................................................................. 22
Criteria for the assessment of practical competency .................................................................. 23
Extra information on the endorsement ....................................................................................... 25
Monitoring visits......................................................................................................................... 28
Evidence for the endorsement ................................................................................................... 32
Cross-board apparatus and techniques and AQA required activities ......................................... 34
Tabulating data.......................................................................................................................... 37
Significant figures ...................................................................................................................... 38
Uncertainties ............................................................................................................................. 39
Graphing ................................................................................................................................... 48
Subject specific vocabulary ....................................................................................................... 57
Practical ladders and example experiments .............................................................................. 60
Appendix: questions from teachers.......................................................................................... 162
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 3 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, Introduction
Practical work brings science to life, helping students make sense of the universe around them.
That’s why we’ve put practical work at the heart of our Biology, Chemistry and Physics A-levels.
Practical science allows scientific theory to transform into deep knowledge and understanding –
scientific thinking. Through investigation, students uncover the important links between their
personal observations and scientific ideas.
“In the best schools visited, teachers ensured that pupils understood the ‘big ideas’ of
science. They made sure that pupils mastered the investigative and practical skills that
underpin the development of scientific knowledge and could discover for themselves the
relevance and usefulness of those ideas.”
Ofsted report
Maintaining Curiosity. A survey into science education in schools.
November 2013, No. 130135
The purpose of this practical handbook
This handbook has been developed to support you in advancing your students to fluency in
science.
Over the years, there have been many rules developed for practical work in Biology, Chemistry
and Physics. Some have been prescriptive; some have been intended as guidance. Although we
have always attempted to be consistent within subjects, differences have emerged over time. For
example, students taking Physics may also be taking Biology and find themselves confronted with
contradictory rules and guidance.
This practical handbook is an attempt to harmonise the rules and guidance for Biology, Chemistry
and Physics. There are occasions where these will necessarily be different, but we will try to
explain why on the occasions where that happens.
The A-level specifications accredited for first teaching in September 2015 bring with them a
complete change in the way practical work is assessed.
We have worked with teachers, technicians and examiners to produce this handbook. Unless
specified, all guidance is common to Biology, Chemistry and Physics at both AS and A-level and
subject-specific examples are for illustration only. However, the extent to which a particular aspect
is assessed will differ. Teachers should refer to the specifications and specimen materials on
aqa.org.uk/science for more information.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 4 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
A-LEVEL
CHEMISTRY
AS (7404)
A-level (7405)
Required practical handbook
Version 2.0
,This is the Chemistry version of this practical handbook.
The sections on tabulating data, significant figures, uncertainties, graphing, and subject
specific vocabulary are particularly useful for students and could be printed as a student
booklet by schools.
The information in this document is correct, to the best of our knowledge as of October 2017.
Key
There have been a number of changes to how practical work will be assessed in the new A-levels.
Some of these have been AQA-specific, but many are by common agreement between all the
exam boards and Ofqual.
The symbol signifies that all boards have agreed to this.
The symbol is used where the information relates to AQA only.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 2 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
,Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4
Practical work in reformed A-level Biology, Chemistry and Physics ............................................. 7
Practical skills assessment in question papers .......................................................................... 12
Guidelines for supporting students in practical work .................................................................. 18
Use of lab books........................................................................................................................ 20
Cross-board statement on CPAC .............................................................................................. 22
Criteria for the assessment of practical competency .................................................................. 23
Extra information on the endorsement ....................................................................................... 25
Monitoring visits......................................................................................................................... 28
Evidence for the endorsement ................................................................................................... 32
Cross-board apparatus and techniques and AQA required activities ......................................... 34
Tabulating data.......................................................................................................................... 37
Significant figures ...................................................................................................................... 38
Uncertainties ............................................................................................................................. 39
Graphing ................................................................................................................................... 48
Subject specific vocabulary ....................................................................................................... 57
Practical ladders and example experiments .............................................................................. 60
Appendix: questions from teachers.......................................................................................... 162
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 3 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, Introduction
Practical work brings science to life, helping students make sense of the universe around them.
That’s why we’ve put practical work at the heart of our Biology, Chemistry and Physics A-levels.
Practical science allows scientific theory to transform into deep knowledge and understanding –
scientific thinking. Through investigation, students uncover the important links between their
personal observations and scientific ideas.
“In the best schools visited, teachers ensured that pupils understood the ‘big ideas’ of
science. They made sure that pupils mastered the investigative and practical skills that
underpin the development of scientific knowledge and could discover for themselves the
relevance and usefulness of those ideas.”
Ofsted report
Maintaining Curiosity. A survey into science education in schools.
November 2013, No. 130135
The purpose of this practical handbook
This handbook has been developed to support you in advancing your students to fluency in
science.
Over the years, there have been many rules developed for practical work in Biology, Chemistry
and Physics. Some have been prescriptive; some have been intended as guidance. Although we
have always attempted to be consistent within subjects, differences have emerged over time. For
example, students taking Physics may also be taking Biology and find themselves confronted with
contradictory rules and guidance.
This practical handbook is an attempt to harmonise the rules and guidance for Biology, Chemistry
and Physics. There are occasions where these will necessarily be different, but we will try to
explain why on the occasions where that happens.
The A-level specifications accredited for first teaching in September 2015 bring with them a
complete change in the way practical work is assessed.
We have worked with teachers, technicians and examiners to produce this handbook. Unless
specified, all guidance is common to Biology, Chemistry and Physics at both AS and A-level and
subject-specific examples are for illustration only. However, the extent to which a particular aspect
is assessed will differ. Teachers should refer to the specifications and specimen materials on
aqa.org.uk/science for more information.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in 4 of 175
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
