Why top universities accept written practical science exams

In fact, universities worldwide - including top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL - do not distinguish between written and live practical examinations nor the examination board the exam is taken with.

Here are some of the reasons why written practical examinations are favoured by schools, students and universities.

1. Rigorous and reliable assessment

Written practical examinations are designed to thoroughly evaluate learners' scientific skills to high standards. Unlike live practical exams, which can be affected by the availability and quality of laboratory technicians and equipment as well as invigilation inconsistencies, written assessments provide a consistent and fair evaluation for all students, regardless of an individual school’s circumstances. This was a key reason for England switching to written papers: live exams often led to unfair practices and inconsistent conditions¹.

2. Deep learning and comprehensive skill assessment

Written practical examinations go beyond testing procedural skills, promoting deeper understanding of scientific principles. Students are assessed on planning and designing experiments, analysing and interpreting data, critically evaluating methods and results, and applying scientific principles to new scenarios - all of which are core competencies for future scientists.

3. Standardisation and cognitive challenge

Written practical examinations ensure every student is assessed under identical conditions, reducing variability and bias. The tasks require higher-order thinking, such as evaluating sources of error and designing experimental controls, skills that are difficult to assess in a single live experiment.

4. Breadth of coverage

Written papers can encompass a wide range of scenarios, far beyond the limits of a single live experiment. This means your students are tested on their ability to respond to varied scientific challenges, better preparing them for university and research.

5. Real-world relevance

Scientists often plan, interpret, and evaluate experiments without direct hands-on execution. Written practical assessments reflect this real-world practice.

6. Practicality

Written practical assessments are less resource-intensive for schools in terms of apparatus, chemicals, biological samples, having adequate numbers or sizes of laboratories and technical support to cater for many students sitting a live practical examination simultaneously.

7. Research-backed approach

Studies from Oxford university², Cambridge Assessments³ and Ofqual⁴ show that written assessments promote authentic scientific inquiry and deep learning, with improved student confidence and no decline in practical skills.

8. Recognition by universities worldwide

All UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Kings College London, accept science qualifications that do not have a live practical examination, such as Pearson Edexcel International A levels, Welsh A Levels, Scottish Highers, and the International Baccalaureate. A pass in Practical Endorsement only applies to A Levels taken by students in England^5,6.

As the following statements show, your students will not be disadvantaged in university applications:

“The requirement for a pass in the practical endorsement applies only to UK A levels. Since International A Levels (IALs) offered by Edexcel and CAIE do not include a separate practical endorsement, this requirement does not apply. Oxford does not differentiate between the mode of assessment for practical skills in IALs (e.g. whether this is assessed through a live practical examination, as in CAIE, or through written examination papers, as in Edexcel). Both are accepted as valid qualifications. Oxford does not have a preference for one exam board over another, as International A Levels offered by Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge International (CAIE), or Oxford AQA are all considered equally when assessing applicants’ academic qualifications.”

Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, University of Oxford

"In general terms we would expect applicants to pass the practical element where it is an integral part of an A Level course, but there are instances where applicants can’t take it because they have a disability, are home schooled, etc. We very rarely see it stipulated in A Levels offer conditions, but Christ’s occasionally do. We don’t differentiate between types of practical element. We don’t have a preference among the international A Levels providers whose qualifications we accept (Cambridge International, Oxford AQA and Pearson Edexcel)."

Undergraduate Admissions, University of Cambridge

“As it is not part of the qualification, practical endorsements are not required for students taking international ALevels, and they are considered equally alongside all others, we do not have a preference.”

Admissions, Medicine, Imperial College London

“The Science Practical Endorsement does not apply to international A levels. Also, the type of practical exam does not matter nor does the examination board that is taken.”

Engineering Faculty Admissions, Imperial College London

 

References

1 Consultation on new A level regulatory requirements (2013) Digital Education Resource Archive (DERA). Available at: https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18717/ (Accessed: 21 September 2025).

2 Yasmine H. El Masri, Sibel Erduran & Olga Ioannidou (2023) Designing practical science assessments in England: students’ engagement and perceptions, Research in Science & Technological Education, 41:1, 190-210, DOI: 10.1080/02635143.2021.1872519

3 Cambridge Assessment (2019) Indirect assessment of practical science skills: development and application of a taxonomy of written questions about practical work. Available at: https://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/Images/542746-indirect-assessment-of-practical-science-skills-development-and-application-of-a-taxonomy-of-written-questions-about-practical-work.pdf (Accessed: 21 September 2025).

4 Ofqual (2016) A level science: The impact of qualification reform on the practical skills of A Level Science students. Paper 5: Final report on the pre-and post-reform evaluation of science practical skills. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca747e8ed915d0ae9053e10/A_level_science_Paper_5FINAL.pdf (Accessed: 21 September 2025).

5 King’s College London. Undergraduate Entry Requirements, King’s College London. Available at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements (Accessed: 21 September 2025).

6 UCL Entry requirements (2025) Prospective Students Undergraduate. Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/how-apply/entry-requirements (Accessed: 22 September 2025).