Helping your child prepare for practical science exams

Practical exams in physics, chemistry and biology test skills that come from practice. Here is how you can help your child prepare.

Start early

Practical skills cannot be crammed. Encourage regular practice from the start of the exam year.

Use past papers

Ask your child's teacher for past practical papers. Your child can read the task, plan what they would do, and practise it in a virtual lab.

Practise in virtual labs

Virtual labs let your child rehearse common practical tasks many times at home: titrations, circuits, lenses, pendulums and more.

Check the basics

Even without science knowledge, you can check that your child:

• writes units with every measurement;
• draws tables with clear headings;
• labels graph axes;
• writes a conclusion that uses the results.

Manage stress

• Keep a regular sleep routine.
• Plan revision in short sessions with breaks.
• Remind your child that practice builds confidence.

On exam day

A good breakfast, the right equipment and arriving early help your child stay calm.

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