What are GCSE required practicals?

They are hands-on investigations your specification expects you to understand in principle: method, variables, equipment, how to present results, and typical examiner pitfalls. Written exams often use them as 6-mark context.

Do AQA, Edexcel and OCR use the same wording?

Core ideas overlap, but command words and exact apparatus lists can differ. Use these guides for the science, then follow your GCSE Physics specification and your teacher’s practical notes.

How should I revise a practical the night before an exam?

Memorise variables (independent, dependent, controls), one fair improvement, and two common mistakes. Then practise explaining the graph or trend without inventing data.

Where can I practise exam questions?

Use StudyVector’s exam question bank and topic practice for GCSE Physics.

Required practicals hub

GCSE Physics: required practicals

Required practicals are the experiments exam boards expect you to know in principle—even though your school may run slightly different versions. Each guide below includes aim, method, variables, equipment, results, graphs, common mistakes (high yield), exam questions and tips, plus links into your full topic revision on StudyVector.

Practise GCSE Physics Exam questions Battle mode Full curriculum

Why this hub exists

Teachers can point students at one consistent structure: variables and controls first, then method, then mistakes.
Students get scannable steps and “exam traps” without wading through generic lab notes.
Search: every page has a clear H1, meta description, and FAQ schema where it helps.

Electricity

Required practical
Resistance & I–V graphs
Ammeter in series, voltmeter parallel — plot I–V for a resistor and a lamp and interpret the shapes.
Open guide

Particle model

Required practical
Density of solids
ρ = m/V: ruler or displacement can, consistent units, and comparing to accepted values.
Open guide

Waves

Required practical
Water waves / wave properties
Measure wavelength and frequency, then use v = fλ — ripple tank or Slinky with clear SI units.
Open guide

FAQs

Specifications change — always check your exam board’s latest GCSE Physics specification alongside these guides.