A Level Science Practical Skills Endorsement
What do you need to know?
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All examination centres accepting entries for A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics
have to give candidates the opportunity to do the practical skills endorsement.
It will not contribute to the A Level grade. The endorsement is reported separately.
Candidates need to achieve an E grade, or better, or the subject will not be awardeda pass for the endorsement i.e. Grade U + Pass (practical skills endorsement) cannot
be awarded. But you can still pass the A-Level even if you don’t pass theendorsement.
A minimum of 12 practicals are required.
No marks will be assigned - it will be assessed holistically and reported as Pass orNot Classified.
It will be assessed on a ‘competency’ basis using agreed Common Practical
Assessment Criteria (CPAC). Candidates must consistently and routinely meet all of
the criteria to be awarded a Pass at the end of the course.
Candidates who do not pass the practical assessment will have a ‘Not Classified’outcome included on their certificate unless they were exempt from the assessment
because of a disability.
Candidates that pass the endorsement but do not achieve the grade they desire for
the A level can carry the endorsement over when resitting the written exams in thefollowing exam session - even if it was awarded by a different awarding organisation.
This means they won’t have to complete the endorsement a second time after having
already passed.
If a candidate has two or more previous non-examination assessment marks, themost recent non-absent mark will be used, even if this is a lower mark. If a candidate
re-takes, rather than carries forward, a non-examination assessment the new markwill be used even if this is a lower mark.

Do I need to do it?
Although NEC would always advise you to complete the endorsement, it isn’t essential tocomplete it in order to get your A Level, but will help you with your written exams. However,failing to pass the endorsement could affect your entry to university (if applicable). It isessential that you speak with them in good time to find out what they require.

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Aside from the endorsement, the exams have no practical element. However, throughout theexam you will be expected to use your understanding of practical theory to answer
questions. You will have gained this knowledge through the core practicals within your NEC
course and the practical endorsement if you choose to do this.
If you decide not to do the endorsement and enter through one of our partnership centres
you will need to sign a statement to say that you have been given the opportunity tocomplete the endorsement but have decided against it.
Can I do the endorsement through one of the NEC partnership exam centres?
Yes! Our centres in Birmingham, Brighouse (West Yorkshire), London and Oxford canaccept entries for all three sciences.
Our centres in Birmingham and London also include a ​lab familiarisation day ​in their offer​.
These sessions have been invaluable for many and give students a good head start for theofficial endorsement sessions. The emphasis will be on safety, equipment, mocks andexpectations. The tutors will be able to advise on the best approach to collecting, analysing
and presenting the data. A fantastic opportunity for those that have little or no prior lab
experience and a good warm up for those that do.
What do I need to do to enter at Birmingham, Brighouse, London or Oxford?
The application form and guidance is available to download on learn@nec. All you need to
do is complete this application form before the advertised deadline and we will arrange therest.
Please note that our Birmingham centre is only available for the endorsement and you
will have to pick another one of our centres for your written exams.
How much will it cost?
This depends on where you want to go. Further information can be found within theadditional guidance provided online.
When are the sessions?
Birmingham
Each science subject will require 4 sessions which cover the lab familiarisation and 12practicals. These can be completed in October/November, or March/April. The 4 sessions
will be held in the same week and outside of school holidays. Alternatively, bespoke
packages are available upon request for an additional fee.
Brighouse
Each science subject will require 3 sessions of 4 practicals (12 in total) which are usually
held in March and April. The days will be set and further information will be given tocandidates in good time.
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The practicals will be held in Mitcham​ (​CR4 1BP)​ ​and the written exams in Wimbledon. Eachscience subject will require 4 sessions which cover the lab familiarisation and 12 practicals.
These will be held in February half term and both weeks of the Easter holidays. The days will
be set and further information will be given to candidates in good time.
OxfordSessions will be held from January - April each year. ​The days will be set and further
information will be given to candidates in good time. Each practical will be held on different
dates (12 in total).
If I go to one of these centres for the endorsement, do I have to sit my written exams
there too?
Although it is cheaper to complete everything at the same partnership centre, we are able tooffer candidates the option of completing their endorsement at one of the named centres
above and then sitting their written exams at another one of our partnership centres that may
be closer to home. Just make this clear on your application form and we will arrange therest.
Can I enter at a private centre?
Yes, although centres that offer A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics exams to private
candidates are also required to make the practical skills endorsement available and the headof centre will need to sign a statement to say that they have done this. This will limit theamount of centres willing to accept private candidates as they may not have the resources.
Remember to get confirmation that you can do the endorsement along with the exams andalso ask for the ​full ​fees.
Private centres may also be holding endorsement sessions that cover a different awarding
body specification. This isn’t a huge issue as all specs have to cover the same criteria, but
you will be completing practicals that may not be covered within the NEC Edexcel Spec Amaterials. Find out what practicals they do and make sure you are prepared.
Where can I sit my written exams if I don’t want to do the endorsement?
You can sit your written exams at ​any​ of our partnership exam centres. Alternatively you cango through a private centre as long as they have given you the opportunity to complete theendorsement.

© 2019 The Open School Trust – National Extension College - v63