Practical assessment skills
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Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills
P3.1Successful collection of data
Set up apparatus without assistance, follow written instructions and diagrams including circuit diagrams, collect an appropriate quantity of data, repeat readings where appropriate and use common laboratory apparatus correctly.
P3.2Quality of data
Make and record accurate measurements, choose a range that spans the largest possible values within the equipment or instructions, and recognise when data quality is judged by scatter, supervisor data or known values.
P3.3Tables, recording and significant figures
Present numerical data in a single table with raw and calculated values, use quantity/unit headings, record precision consistently, show calculation working and justify significant figures in calculated quantities.
P3.4Graph layout, plotting and trend lines
Label graph axes with quantity and unit, choose readable scales and false origins where appropriate, plot points accurately, draw best-fit lines or curves, and draw tangents to curves.
P3.5Graph interpretation and uncertainties
Relate straight-line graphs to y = mx + c, determine gradients and intercepts, read coordinates from trend lines, estimate absolute and percentage uncertainties, and use half-range for repeated readings where appropriate.
P3.6Conclusions, limitations and improvements
Draw conclusions including constants, judge whether data support a hypothesis, make predictions, identify procedural limitations and significant uncertainty sources, and suggest realistic improvements or extensions.
P3.7Apparatus familiarity and safe practice
Use typical Paper 3 apparatus such as meters, calipers, micrometers, thermometers, stopwatches, balances, springs, magnets, circuits, heating equipment and measuring tools with appropriate laboratory safety awareness.