A-level Science subject update

Welcome to our autumn 2026 newsletter

In this edition you’ll find our assessment updates, online CPD resources and links to support your teaching. Remember, Team Science is here to help with assessment, resources and CPD. Book a Free at 3? Slot if you’d like to discuss anything related to our science offer.

• Join us for our Exploring Summer 2026 series
• Information about our practical endorsement (CPAC), from preparing for a monitoring visit to sample endorsement trackers can be found here.
• End of qualification reminder: Our Applied General Science qualification is coming to an end.
• Exampro Extended Explanations for Chemistry and Physics MCQs
• Community links

Stay up to date with assessment reform

This autumn, the Department for Education (DfE) is expected to launch its subject content consultation for GCSE, confirming which subjects will be included in phase 1, sharing draft proposals and inviting feedback from teachers, schools and exam boards.

There’s nothing you need to do right now. When the consultation launches, we’ll help you understand what it means for you, what’s changing in phase 1 subjects and how you can have your say.

Community links  

STEM Learning is continuing to run the subject knowledge for Physics teaching courses.

Plus, the Best Evidence in Science teaching resources that are great for identifying and addressing misconceptions in KS3 and 4 science.

For information to inspire students about potential career paths in plant science, SAPS recommend the Plant Science Futures website and the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme YouTube channel, particularly the Careers Insights playlist, which offers insights into careers available in plant science.

Exampro extended explanations for A-level Science

Exampro has launched extended explanations for multiple-choice questions in A-level Chemistry and Physics Onscreen, giving students a richer feedback loop that goes beyond the standard mark scheme.

Rather than simply marking answers right or wrong, extended explanations clarify why each option is correct or incorrect, helping students build genuine understanding and learn from every question.

Get more with myAQA

myAQA gives you access to everything you need to plan, teach and assess, including our secure extranet – Centre Services. Here you’ll find essential resources, such as the latest past papers, as well as Teacher Online Standardisation (T-OLS) and much more.

Don’t have a myAQA account yet? Complete a short form to get started. Once your Exams Officer has verified your registration, then you’re ready to go.

Upcoming CPD courses 

As we head into autumn, take a look at our upcoming CPD courses. We have an extensive list of course titles available to help prepare you for the teaching year ahead.

Mark scheme guidance and application courses

Join us for a session led by an experienced AQA examiner that will provide you with guidance on how to apply the mark scheme to key questions and question types taken from the 2025 series.

Exploring X series

A new CPD series launching in response to your feedback. Join us as we take a deep dive on a wide range of topics, using responses from the 2026 series to explore what examiners are looking for and why students may find this area challenging. Dates go live soon, so keep an eye on our Professional Development page to book your spot.

Topics include:

• Data analysis and Essay writing skills (Biology)
• Extended responses and Extended calculations (Chemistry)
• AO3 and Practical questions (Physics)
• Command words and levels-of-response questions (Environmental Science)

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within assessments

Read the latest JCQ guidance on the use of AI in assessments in the AI in assessments: protecting the integrity of qualifications document. The guidance explains how AI can be used appropriately in assessments and outlines the requirements for reporting suspected misuse.