Introducing a new alternative practical examination in Chemistry and Physics

This will be available as an alternative to the Unit 6 written examination, and is the result of consulting with teachers and other key stakeholders during 2015.

Choice between Unit 6 and Unit 7

International schools delivering Edexcel IAL Chemistry and Physics qualifications will now have the choice of:

• continuing with the Unit 6 written examination, or
• opting for the new Unit 7 alternative practical examination.

The content of Unit 6 and Unit 7 is exactly the same; it is only the assessment method that is different. To ensure comparability of standards, the Unit 7 alternative practical examination option has the same assessment objectives or weightings as the Unit 6 written examination in the current specification.

Practical examination requirements

If you choose to offer the Unit 7 alternative practical examination option, your school must meet all requirements as detailed in the following online documents, including the ability to provide students with access to a suitably equipped laboratory and basic apparatus.

Updated specifications availability

We are in the process of updating the Edexcel IAL Chemistry and Physics specifications to include the new Unit 7 alternative practical examination option. Updated specifications will be available on our website from December 2015.

Certification

There will be no change to the information on certificates. Details of the contributing Units for each qualification, including the new Unit 7 alternative practical examination option, will be printed on the Candidates Statements of Provisional Results in the normal way.

New qualification structures

More information about the new Edexcel IAL Chemistry and Physics qualification structures is available in the following document.

IAL Biology

Please note that we are not offering an alternative practical examination in Biology, because the subject does not lend itself easily to this assessment method.