GCSE science required practicals
7 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
Required practicals are experiments every GCSE science student must carry out. They aren't marked as coursework; instead, exam questions about them make up at least 15% of the marks. AQA Combined Science (Trilogy) has 21.
Biology (7)
- โ Microscopy: using a light microscope
- โ Osmosis in plant tissue
- โ Food tests
- โ The effect of pH on enzyme activity
- โ The effect of light intensity on photosynthesis
- โ Reaction time
- โ Field investigations: measuring population size
Chemistry (6)
- โ Making a pure, dry soluble salt
- โ Electrolysis of aqueous solutions
- โ Temperature changes in reactions
- โ Rates of reaction
- โ Chromatography
- โ Purifying and testing water
Physics (8)
- โ Specific heat capacity
- โ Resistance
- โ I-V characteristics of components
- โ Density of solids and liquids
- โ Force and extension of a spring
- โ Acceleration: the effect of force and mass
- โ Waves in a ripple tank and on a string
- โ Infrared radiation: absorption and emission by different surfaces
What exam questions ask
- โ The method, in clear numbered steps
- โ Independent, dependent and control variables
- โ Hazards and how to reduce risk
- โ Processing results: means, graphs and gradients
- โ Sources of error and how to improve accuracy or reliability
FAQs
How many required practicals are there in GCSE Combined Science?๏ผ
21 in AQA Combined Science Trilogy: 7 in biology, 6 in chemistry and 8 in physics.
How much are required practicals worth?๏ผ
Questions based on them are worth at least 15% of the overall marks.
Are required practicals coursework?๏ผ
No. You carry them out in class and are tested on them in the written exams.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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