How will the coursework assessment from 2008 be different in SNAB from other A-level Biology courses?

Practical related How Science Works (HSW) content is assessed both through the written exams and teacher assessment. The idea is that all HSW content is developed over the AS course, and assessed formatively by the teacher or by peer assessment.

The formal coursework assessment for AS HSW takes place through a visit or issue report and teacher assessment of using apparatus, recording results and presenting and analysing data. The visit or issue report concentrates on the application of the relevant biological principles. The report should be between 1500 and 2000 words and is marked internally.

In A2 coursework, the practical and investigative skills and HSW are assessed through an individual investigation drawing on the practical and investigative skills developed at AS. The investigation report is between 2700 and 3000 words, and is marked internally.

SNAB has removed the formulaic assessed 'written-up practical', so the emphasis is on formative development of skills and knowledge, and understanding of the techniques and processes.

Here are details from Edexcel of the specification and assessment for the new course which started September 2008. Specification for 2008