Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus - Cambridge International Examinations

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Cambridge Pre-U Draft
Section A will consist of one or two questions totalling 45 marks. It should be completed in about 90
minutes. It will include an experiment or experiments requiring candidates to collect quantitative or qualitative
data, to draw up tables, charts, graphs and other appropriate means of presenting the data and to analyse it
to draw appropriate conclusions and evaluate procedures and data.
It will focus on the following experimental skills:
• manipulating apparatus;
• decision-making;
• recording observations and measurements;
• presenting data;
• calculating, e.g. rates of reaction;
• analysing data – describing experimental results, observations and secondary data;
• concluding.
• evaluating procedures and data;
• suggesting improvements;
Apparatus requirements for Section A
The apparatus requirements for Section A will vary from paper to paper. A complete list of apparatus and
materials required for each question will be issued in the Confidential Instructions. The Confidential
Instructions should be followed very carefully. If there is any doubt at all about how practical examinations
should be set up, it is vital that Centres contact CIE as soon as possible.
To give some variation in the questions set, some novel items or equipment or materials may be required.
The list of practical apparatus and materials later in the syllabus gives details of the requirements that are
frequently required. Candidates should be accustomed to using these.
Section B will consist of one or more short questions totalling 35 marks. It should be completed in
60 minutes. The questions will test the candidates’ abilities to make observations and present, analyse and
interpret their findings. Candidates will be expected to use a microscope to observe and draw from
histological specimens that they have made themselves as temporary mounts or which are provided as
prepared slides. Candidates will also be provided with secondary data to analyse and interpret. This
secondary data may be in the form of photographs, drawings, diagrams, tables and graphs. Section B will
concentrate on the following skills:
• decision making
• observing
• presenting information in the form of plan diagrams, drawings, tables, etc.
• calculating, e.g. magnifications and actual sizes
• analysing data – describing and interpreting experimental results, observations and secondary data
• evaluating.
Throughout their course, candidates should be given opportunities to make decisions about their practical
work. This might involve choosing the number of values of the independent variable and the number of
replicates. It might also involve deciding how to make up dilutions. They should also plan complete
experiments to include methods of data collection and analysis. Candidates taking the practical examination
will be expected to have the appropriate skills involved in decision-making and planning even though
candidates will not be expected to plan a complete experiment in this examination.