Having proficiency in IGCSE Practical Exam work for scientific education is very important. It becomes particular about the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). IGCSE offers opportunities for students to teach deep knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts along with practical knowledge.
IGCSE includes a variety of science subjects like physics, chemistry, Biology, and combined Sciences. IGCSE has designed its exam pattern for all these subjects. There is an assessment of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Here, we want to inform you all about practical in IGCSE sciences. Here are some tips and suggestions by the expert teacher at My Tuition Hub Academy.
IGCSE Practical Exam Pattern of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
IGCSE offers two courses under the category of core and extended curriculum options. Students can choose any of the courses as per their abilities. There are separate exam patterns for individual sciences. Here, we are giving you an overview of the exam pattern.
IGCSE Practical Exam Overview
- Paper one (multiple-choice questions): This paper contains only multiple-choice questions. The question paper of the core curriculum contains only understanding-based questions, while the question paper of the extended curriculum contains challenging questions that cover additional competency-based questions. The duration of this exam is 45 minutes.
- Paper 2 (theory): This paper contains short answers and structured questions. The question paper of the core curriculum has only topics related to fundamental concepts. Extended curriculum includes complicated questions and requires more profound knowledge and understanding. The duration of this paper is one hour and 15 minutes for each.
- Paper 3 practical tests: IGCSE includes paper 3 to test students’ practical skills in practical tests and a written paper. Students have to perform experiments in front of their examiners. This paper is similar for both extended and core curricula. The difference is only in the level of difficulty.
- Paper 4 (extended theory)
Paper 4 is only for the students who have opted extended curriculum. This paper contains extended theory questions. The time duration of this paper is one hour and 15 minutes. We not only teach students about the theory but we also offer guidance for IGCSE Practical Exam during our IGCSE Online Tuition classes.
Importance of IGCSE Practical Exam
- Bridging theory and practical: Practical exams are essential because they work as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and valuable knowledge. Whatever student learns in their textbooks, they get direct observation during practical experiments. It helps students to solidify their conceptual understanding.
- Skill development: Students develop scientific skills like observation, measurement, and analytical thinking when they engage in practical work. They learn about the procedures of experimenting. They also gain the knowledge of handling scientific equipment safely under the supervision of their teachers.
- Scientific method: Students also apply scientific methods, and they learn about hypotheses, design, and experiments. They also learn to collect data and analyze it, and then they know how to conclude after analysing the data. This enhances their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Engagement and motivation: When students conduct any activity in the laboratory, they enjoy it and feel motivated. After conducting a successful experiment under the guidance of their teacher, students feel highly motivated. They can connect their knowledge with the experiment that they conducted.
- Assessment and evaluation: Practical work checks students’ practical and conceptual knowledge. Teachers evaluate their students’ abilities to conduct experiments and analyse data. A written exam also provides a holistic evaluation of students’ scientific knowledge and competencies.
Tips for successful IGCSE Practical Exam Experimentation
- Preparation and planning: Students should know the aim of doing experiments. They should have an outline of the steps that they will follow. There should be a proper list of required materials. Make a detailed plan so that you can execute your experiment smoothly.
- Experimenting: Always follow the safety protocols while conducting experiments in the school lab. There are experimental protocols, and students should follow them strictly.
- Data collection: You should have a proper record of the experiment that you are conducting. Record all the observations and results in a detailed way in your lab notebook.
- Data analysis: It’s essential to analyze the data systematically to conclude. You can use tables, charts, or graphs to prepare a visual presentation.
- Concluding: Since you have already prepared the original hypothesis, you should compare your experimental results with it. Note what improvements are needed for future experiments, and you can also note the problems that you faced during the experiment.
- Presentation of findings: Your presentation of your experiment process should be clear, logical, and concise. Use all the scientific terminologies to prepare a well-structured report. You can also enhance your presentation with charts, graphs, and diagrams, which will effectively reflect key points.
A few final words
Practical work is an essential element of IGCSE science education. It reflects students’ understanding of scientific principles and also enriches students’ scientific mindsets.
