What It Is

Combined Science includes required practicals (sometimes called core practicals) that can be examined in any paper. You must know the method, the variables (independent, dependent, control), how to analyse results, and how to evaluate the method. Practical-based questions typically appear as 2–6 mark questions.

How to Revise Practicals

1. 1
   List all required practicals — Check the specification for the full list. There are typically 8–10 across biology, chemistry, and physics.
2. 2
   For each practical, learn — (a) the aim, (b) the method (step by step), (c) the independent, dependent, and control variables, (d) how to record and analyse results, (e) potential sources of error.
3. 3
   Draw the apparatus — Sketch labelled diagrams of the equipment setup from memory.
4. 4
   Practise evaluation questions — “How could you improve the reliability?”, “Suggest a source of error”, “Why is a control used?”

Key Vocabulary