Subject: physics

topic: labs
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SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

• School-Based Assessment will evaluate the
achievement of the candidate in the
Experimental Skills and Analysis and
Interpretation involved in the laboratory and
fieldwork. Candidates will be required to keep
a separate practical workbook which must be
made available for moderation.
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The practical approach

• The syllabus is designed to foster the use of inquiry-
based learning through the application of the practical
approach. Students will be guided to answer scientific
questions by a process of making observations, asking
questions, doing experiments, and analysing and
interpreting data. The CXC CSEC Physics syllabus
focuses on the following skills.
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SKILLS TO BE
ASSESSED
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Planning and designing

This will assess your ability

to:
• Ask questions: who,
what, when, where and
when.
• Construct a hypothesis
• Design an experiment to
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Experimental report must include the following:
• problem statement;
• aim;
• list of materials and apparatus to be used;
• identification of variables;
• clear and concise step by step procedure;
• display of expected results;
• use of results;
• possible sources of error/precaution;
• possible limitations.
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Measurement and
manipulation

This will assess your ability

to:
• Handle scientific
equipment competently.
• Take accurate
measurements.
• Use appropriate units.
This will assess your ability to ability 8

to record observations and to collect

and organise data
Observation reporting
and recording

This will assess your ability to prepare a

comprehensive written report on their
 Analysis and 9
interpretation
This will assess your ability to:
• make accurate calculations;
• Identify patterns and trends, cause and
effect, and stability and change ;
• compare actual results with expected
results if they are different;
• identify limitations and sources of error
and error ranges if appropriate;
 Analysis and 10
interpretation
This will assess your ability to:
• suggest alternative methods or
modification to existing methods;
• draw a conclusion justified by data.
• Handle scientific equipment
competently.
• Take accurate measurements.
• Use appropriate units.
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Note:
Planning and Designing
labs are written in the
present tense. All other labs
are written in the past tense.
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• Physics Lab Sample