Free interactive practice for working scientifically in GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined Science. Around 15% of the marks in every GCSE science paper test practical skills, and many more test the maths skills behind them. Each tool gives a new question every time, marks your answer instantly, explains common mistakes and shows a full worked solution. Choose your subject (or All for Combined Science) and your tier. Higher questions are harder and add the Higher-only skills, such as using tangents, which are labelled. Every tool has a quick guide with a plain-English explanation, the key facts and a step-by-step method. The questions are set in the AQA required practicals and suit Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas too.
✏️ Paper first! Work each question out on paper before you check it, and write down every step. Examiners give marks for clear working even when the final answer is wrong.
Planning and measuring
Variables and Fair Tests
Identify the independent, dependent and control variables in a required practical, and (Higher) categoric and continuous variables.
Required Practical Method Planner
Put the steps of a required practical in order, choose the right equipment and match each hazard to a safety precaution.
Accuracy, Precision and Errors
Accurate, precise, repeatable, reproducible and resolution, random and systematic errors, and correcting a zero error.
Units and Prefixes
Convert between kilo, centi, milli, micro and nano units, choose SI units, and (Higher) give answers in standard form.
Significant Figures and Rounding
Round to significant figures and decimal places, count significant figures, and (Higher) give a calculated answer to an appropriate precision.
Processing and presenting data
Means, Anomalies and Uncertainty
Spot anomalies in repeat readings, calculate a mean and range, and (Higher) estimate uncertainty from the range.
Tables and Choosing Graphs
Choose a bar chart or line graph, put variables on the right axes, write table headings and pick sensible scales.
Reading Graphs and Gradients
Read values from a graph, calculate a gradient with units, test for direct proportion, and (Higher) find a rate from a tangent.
Equations: Substitute and Rearrange
Substitute into equations from biology, chemistry and physics practicals, convert units first, and (Higher) rearrange them.
Percentages and Ratios in Science
Percentage change in mass, Rf values, efficiency and ratios, and (Higher) percentage yield and surface area to volume ratio.
Sampling and Estimating
Biology: use quadrat data to estimate a population, place quadrats at random, and (Higher) use small quadrats and transects.
Conclusions and evaluation
Conclusions and Evaluation
Describe trends, explain them, tell correlation from causation, and (Higher) judge validity and extrapolation.
The results in these questions are made up for practice. In an exam, always use the equations and data you are given. Your marks, tier and subject choice are saved only in your own browser.