Science
BTEC assessment for academic year 2022-2023
This update is for BTEC Science qualifications and summaries the assessment arranagements in place for this academic year.
BTEC Assessment 2022-2023
Ofqual confirmed the subject content and assessment arrangements for qualifications in the following academic year (2022/23). They confirmed that:
“For other qualifications, including vocational and technical qualifications taught alongside or instead of GCSEs, AS and A levels, a range of adaptations were permitted in academic year 2021 to 2022. […] Given that public health restrictions are no longer in place, these adaptations are no longer necessary for the academic year 2022 to 2023 onwards.”
This means internal assessment adaptations and streamlined assessment will not be available in 2022/23 so centres should teach and assess the BTEC qualifications as normal in full, for all students being assessed this year.
BTEC Nationals in Applied Science and Forensic and Criminal Investigation Unit 3 (31619H) assessment
The changes implemented to BTEC Nationals in Applied Science and Forensic and Criminal Investigation Unit 3 (31619H) assessment that is described in the guidance below will stay in place this academic year and future years.
As you will read in the guidance, learners no longer have a practical task to complete for Part A going forward. Instead they are given a 45-minute reading period to understand and review a scientific method and experimental data that was generated from the method. Learners will then complete Part B straight after on the same day which will remain unchanged in structure and format.
You can view the latest exam materials for Unit 3 on the link below to help you understand the present assessment structure.
We have also produced Additional Sample Assessment Material that were released when the changes were first implemented. This consisted of an updated version of the January 2020 Unit 3 exam paper to show how the Part A and B assessments would have looked if we had implemented the changes in January 2020.
Timetables
Timetables for 2023 external assessments are available on our timetables page below.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin
Science
Subject updates
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May 2026 Teaching Science update
Welcome to the May Teaching Science update
As we move through the exam season, the May Teaching Science update brings together key dates, training opportunities, new resources and guidance to support your planning and teaching.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor
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International Science Qualification News May 2026
Hello colleagues,
Welcome to your May update for teachers of International Science qualifications! This update has news of a new free lab setup materials resource for International GCSE sciences, a reminder of support for centres affected by the conflict in the Middle East, and guidance on using examiner reports for final exam preparation. It also repeats information on the scientific article for IAL Biology.
As ever, don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help in any way - why not book a Teams call with me (follow the link below) if it would be helpful to talk something over?
Best wishes,
Tim Lawrence
Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for International Science Qualifications