What is the practical endorsement in WJEC A-Level Geology?

The practical endorsement is a separately reported judgement of a student's practical competence across the A-level, reported as a pass or fail alongside the grade. It does not contribute marks to the grade, but practical knowledge is assessed within the written components. To pass, a student must complete the specified practical activities (around twenty) and demonstrate the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) over the two years of the course.

What core practical techniques does A-level Geology require?

The endorsement develops identification and description of minerals, rocks and fossils in hand specimen, full rock description, measuring dip and strike with a compass-clinometer, locating geological features, accurate field sketches and annotated scientific drawings, constructing graphic logs of sequences, physical and chemical testing (such as the acid test), the use of photomicrographs, methods to increase accuracy, and the use of ICT to handle and present data.

How much fieldwork is required for A-level Geology?

Fieldwork is compulsory: students must complete a minimum number of days in the field, a minimum of four days for the full A-level, where they apply techniques such as logging sequences, drawing field sketches and measuring dip and strike, and meet several of the Common Practical Assessment Criteria in an authentic setting. Each centre records the fieldwork undertaken on a fieldwork statement for each assessment cycle.

The Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) are the standard criteria, numbered CPAC 1 to 5, against which practical competence is judged for the endorsement across science A-levels. They cover skills such as following written procedures and working safely, applying investigative approaches, using apparatus and techniques correctly, making and recording observations, and researching, referencing and reporting. Students must meet all of them over the course.

How are practical skills assessed in A-level Geology?

In two complementary ways. The practical endorsement is a separate pass or fail, reported alongside the grade and based on completing the specified practicals and meeting the CPAC over the course. Separately, knowledge and understanding of practical work is assessed within the written components, where questions draw on the specified practicals and require the interpretation of hand specimens, photographs, geological maps and data, most directly in Component 1.

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WJEC A-Level Geology practical endorsement and fieldwork: the specified practicals, core techniques, CPAC and fieldwork requirement

A WJEC and Eduqas A-Level Geology guide to the practical endorsement and fieldwork: the specified practical activities, the core laboratory and field techniques, the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC), the minimum fieldwork requirement, and how practical skills are both reported separately and assessed within the written components.

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What the practical endorsement demands
The endorsement and the specified practicals
Core techniques
Fieldwork and CPAC
Assessment
Check your knowledge

What the practical endorsement demands

Practical work is an intrinsic part of A-level Geology, and the endorsement makes sure every student has developed the skills that the subject and further study depend on. It is not a single exam but a record built over the course, supported by a defined list of specified practicals and a minimum amount of fieldwork. The same skills are then tested directly in the written components.

The single dot-point page for this module sets out the detail; this guide summarises it.

The endorsement and the specified practicals

The endorsement is reported separately as a pass or fail and does not add marks to the grade. To pass, a student completes the specified practical activities (around twenty), which span laboratory and field techniques, and demonstrates the Common Practical Assessment Criteria.

Core techniques

The required skills include hand-specimen identification and full rock description, measuring dip and strike, accurate field sketches and annotated drawings, constructing graphic logs, physical and chemical testing, the use of photomicrographs, and the use of ICT to handle data.

Fieldwork and CPAC

A minimum number of field days (at least four for the A-level) is required, where students apply the techniques and meet several of the CPAC (numbered 1 to 5) in an authentic setting, recorded on a fieldwork statement.

Assessment

Practical skills are assessed both by the separately reported endorsement and within the written components, where questions draw on the specified practicals and on interpreting specimens, maps and data.

Check your knowledge

Attempt these under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

State how the practical endorsement is reported. (1 mark)
Does the endorsement contribute marks to the grade? (1 mark)
Name three core practical techniques. (3 marks)
State the minimum fieldwork requirement for the A-level. (1 mark)
What do the CPAC assess, in general terms? (2 marks)
State the two ways practical skills are assessed. (2 marks)

Solutions

Q1: As a separate pass or fail, reported alongside the grade.
Q2: No; it does not contribute marks, though practical knowledge is examined in the written papers.
Q3: Any three of: hand-specimen identification and full rock description, dip and strike measurement, field sketching, graphic logging, physical and chemical testing, use of photomicrographs, use of ICT.
Q4: A minimum of four days in the field.
Q5: The CPAC are the standard criteria (CPAC 1 to 5) for practical competence, covering safe working, investigative approach, use of apparatus and techniques, recording observations, and researching and referencing.
Q6: By the separately reported endorsement (specified practicals plus CPAC), and within the written components through questions on the practicals and the interpretation of specimens, maps and data.

Sources & how we know this

WJEC Eduqas A-level Geology specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)
The Geology Practical Endorsement and Specified Practicals — WJEC Eduqas (2025)