How do I revise AQA Level 3 Extended Project for AQA Project?

Start your production log on day one and update it weekly; capture not just what you did but why, and reflect on what you learned, including setbacks.

What exam tips are there for AQA Level 3 Extended Project? (2)

Choose a topic you are genuinely curious about—sustained motivation is critical, but ensure it is suitably narrow and researchable within the timeframe.

What exam tips are there for AQA Level 3 Extended Project? (3)

Treat the taught skills sessions (research methods, critical thinking, referencing) as directly applicable to your project; integrate them deliberately.

What mistakes should I avoid in AQA Level 3 Extended Project?

Poor time management: students often underestimate the demands of research phases, leading to rushed analysis and superficial evaluation.

What are common errors in AQA Level 3 Extended Project exams? (2)

Neglecting the production log: many treat it as an afterthought rather than a contemporaneous record of decision-making and reflection, losing easy marks.

AQA Level 3 Extended Project

AQA

vocational

The AQA Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) core content equips learners with advanced independent research and project management skills essential for higher education and employment. Candidates must identify a topic of personal interest, formulate a clear hypothesis or brief, and manage the end-to-end project lifecycle from initial planning through research, analysis, and evaluation. The final outcome—commonly a 5000-word dissertation or an artefact with a 1500-word report—is assessed alongside a production log and a live presentation that evidences reflective learning and communication of complex findings.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The AQA Level 3 Extended Project (EPQ) is a standalone qualification that allows students to undertake a self-directed project on a topic of their choice. It is designed to develop critical thinking, research skills, and independent learning, which are essential for university and career success. The EPQ can take the form of a dissertation, an investigation, a performance, or an artefact, and is assessed through a written report and a production log. This qualification is highly valued by universities as it demonstrates a student's ability to manage a long-term project and engage in deep, sustained inquiry.

Foundations for Learning (AQA Project) provides the framework for the EPQ, focusing on the process of project management, research methodology, and reflective practice. Students learn to formulate a project proposal, plan and execute research, analyse findings, and evaluate their own learning. The EPQ is worth up to 28 UCAS tariff points (equivalent to half an A-level) and is often used to support personal statements and university applications. It also helps students develop transferable skills such as time management, problem-solving, and communication.

The EPQ fits into the wider subject of independent study and is often taken alongside A-levels or other Level 3 qualifications. It complements subjects by allowing students to explore a topic in greater depth, often linking to their intended university course or career. The qualification is graded A* to E and requires approximately 120 hours of work, including taught skills sessions and independent study. Successful completion of the EPQ can give students a competitive edge in university admissions and prepare them for the demands of higher education.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for presenting a clear, well-justified rationale for the chosen project topic, including its relevance, feasibility, and potential for extended inquiry.
Credit the thorough use of a range of appropriate sources and resources, with clear evidence of critical selection, evaluation, and accurate referencing.
Reward a logical project plan that demonstrates realistic timings, identification of milestones, and adaptability in response to obstacles.
Mark highly for sustained analytical engagement: the ability to interpret data or sources, draw nuanced conclusions, and discuss implications.
Acknowledge detailed and honest reflection in the production log, showing how challenges were addressed and how the project developed skills beyond subject content.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for presenting a clear, well-justified rationale for the chosen project topic, including its relevance, feasibility, and potential for extended inquiry.
Credit the thorough use of a range of appropriate sources and resources, with clear evidence of critical selection, evaluation, and accurate referencing.
Reward a logical project plan that demonstrates realistic timings, identification of milestones, and adaptability in response to obstacles.
Mark highly for sustained analytical engagement: the ability to interpret data or sources, draw nuanced conclusions, and discuss implications.
Acknowledge detailed and honest reflection in the production log, showing how challenges were addressed and how the project developed skills beyond subject content.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Start your production log on day one and update it weekly; capture not just what you did but why, and reflect on what you learned, including setbacks.
💡Choose a topic you are genuinely curious about—sustained motivation is critical, but ensure it is suitably narrow and researchable within the timeframe.
💡Treat the taught skills sessions (research methods, critical thinking, referencing) as directly applicable to your project; integrate them deliberately.
💡In your final presentation, structure it to demonstrate the full journey: initial aims, research process, key findings, and honest reflection on the project’s value.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Poor time management: students often underestimate the demands of research phases, leading to rushed analysis and superficial evaluation.
Neglecting the production log: many treat it as an afterthought rather than a contemporaneous record of decision-making and reflection, losing easy marks.
Over-reliance on description: candidates frequently summarize sources without evaluating them critically or linking them back to the project’s central question.
Unfocused topics: selecting a question that is too broad or too vague makes it difficult to generate a coherent argument or meaningful artefact.
Weakness in referencing: inconsistent citation styles and incomplete bibliographies undermine academic integrity and cap achievement in managing sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Core knowledge

Practical application

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Practice questions tailored to this topic