Assessment
 Objectives
Skills Assessed
Requirements
Description of Skills
Skill A - Planning
Skill B - Implementation
Skill C - Analysing
Skill D - Evaluating
Relevant Subjects
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Subjects Offered
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Rationale
Practical work is an integral part of science education and is important in developing the inquiry skills that are essential in scientific exploration and investigation.
School-based Science Practical Assessment (SPA) is a way to assess practical skills over a period of time instead of assessing them at a one-off practical examination.
SPA provides scope for developing scientific inquiry skills in a greater variety of contexts than is possible in a one-off practical examination. It enhances appreciation of the science process skills necessary for scientific inquiry and problem solving. SPA requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of equipment, methods and procedures and to apply this knowledge in designing a variety of scientific investigations.
SPA allows the teacher to respond almost immediately to developments in scientific knowledge and to align the type of practical investigations carried out in the classroom to new developments in science.
 
Assessment Objectives
To determine the extent to which candidates are able to:
- devise and plan investigations; select techniques, apparatus and materials
- use techniques, apparatus and materials safely and effectively
- make and record observations, measurements and estimates
- interpret and evaluate observations and experimental data
- evaluate methods and techniques, and suggest possible improvements
Skills Assessed
Candidates will be assessed in the following skills:
Please click on a skill from the list above for details.
Assessment Requirements
Each assessment carries a maximum of 8 marks.
Each candidate should be assessed twice on each skill. The assessments within each skill must not cover the same topic.
The two scores for each skill will be used to calculate the total mark.
| Skill | Number of assessments | Sub-total (marks) |
| A | 2 | 2 x 8 = 16 |
| B | 2 | 2 x 8 = 16 |
| C | 2 | 2 x 8 = 16 |
| D | 2 | 2 x 8 = 16 |
| Grand Total for SPA | 64 |
Skill A - PLANNING
Candidates should:
- identify and define the question or problem using available information and knowledge
- choose effective and safe procedures, select appropriate apparatus and materials and decide the measurements and observations likely to generate useful and reliable results
- consider the environmental and safety aspects of the proposed procedures
The final mark awarded for planning is based on the initial plan submitted by the candidates. Any modification and improvements to the plan are not part of the assessment in this skill.
Skill B - IMPLEMENTATION
Candidates should:
- use apparatus and materials in an appropriate and safe way
- carry out work in a methodical and organised way with due regard for safety and with appropriate consideration for the well-being of the environment
- make and record detailed observations accurately in a suitable manner, and make measurements to an appropriate degree of precision based on instruments used, and reproducibility of results
- deal appropriately with anomalous results
Skill C - ANALYSING
Candidates should:
- communicate information and ideas using correct nomenclature and terminology, including, where appropriate, tabulation, line graphs, histograms, continuous prose, annotated drawings and diagrams
- recognize and comment on trends and patterns in data
- present quantitative data to an appropriate number of significant figures
- draw valid conclusions by applying knowledge and understanding
Skill D - EVALUATING
Candidates should:
- assess the reliability and accuracy of experimental data and draw conclusions from it
- identify the main sources of error and limitations of any measurements
- suggest how these errors, limitations and experimental procedures used could be improved where appropriate
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