Written Exams

It’s no secret that all A-Level qualifications are completed by students sitting written exams, but did you know that some courses also carry additional work requirements such as coursework or practicals? These additional components can carry a hefty percentage of your overall mark and so it’s important you complete them as best as possible.

With science practicals for A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics carrying 20% of your overall mark they really can make the difference between you gaining an A or A* grade if you don’t get them quite right. Although not compulsory to do, believe it or not as a distance learning student you can opt not to do the practicals, but they can help to boost your grade and so are worth doing.

The same applies to A-Level English and History, both of these require a coursework element. Although, unlike with the sciences, these are compulsory and there is no option as a distance learning student to opt out of completing it. The coursework element for these courses also carries a 20% weighting for your final grade and so should be taken seriously.

What about International A-Levels, do they have Practicals and Coursework?

Interestingly enough, when it comes to International A-Levels, these don’t have coursework or practical requirements. Instead students are asked to complete an additional written exam, so rather than the usual 3 papers, students will sit a total of 4 papers.

The ability to not have to do coursework or practicals is great, unless you are looking to go on and do a specialist degree such as medicine, as then you would be required to also complete the MCAT to show universities you have the practical abilities to do laboratory work.

So before you enrol onto your chosen A-level subjects, just make sure you do your research and check whether or not the subject has additional requirements such as coursework or practicals on top of your written exams.