How do I revise Individual research project for AQA A-Level?

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you to make the 9-10 minute discussion more engaging

What exam tips are there for Individual research project? (2)

Ensure your research title and approach are distinct if other students choose the same general subject area

What exam tips are there for Individual research project? (3)

Focus on the quality of findings rather than the quantity

What mistakes should I avoid in Individual research project?

Basing research on the same literary text or film used in the written assessment

What are common errors in Individual research project exams? (2)

Failing to use at least two sources or failing to include an online source

Individual research project

AQA

A-Level

The Individual Research Project (IRP) is a component of the A-level Speaking assessment where students identify a subject or key question of personal interest related to a German-speaking country. Students conduct independent research using at least two sources (one of which must be online) to develop research skills, then present and discuss their findings in the oral exam.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The Individual Research Project (IRP) is a core component of the AQA A-Level German specification, designed to assess your ability to conduct independent research and present your findings in German. You will choose a topic of personal interest related to the culture, history, or society of a German-speaking country, then research it using authentic sources such as articles, films, or interviews. The project culminates in a 2-minute presentation and a subsequent discussion with your teacher-examiner, forming part of the speaking exam (Paper 3). This task tests your research skills, critical thinking, and ability to express complex ideas spontaneously in German.

The IRP is worth 30% of the total A-Level marks (21–23 marks for the presentation and discussion combined), making it a significant opportunity to boost your grade. Unlike other exam components, the IRP allows you to showcase your passion and depth of knowledge on a subject you genuinely care about, whether that's the fall of the Berlin Wall, German environmental policy, or the works of a contemporary filmmaker. Success requires careful planning: you must select a focused research question, gather evidence from diverse sources, and prepare to defend your arguments under questioning. Mastering the IRP not only improves your German fluency but also develops transferable skills for university and beyond.

The IRP fits into the broader A-Level German curriculum by complementing the study of key themes such as social issues, political culture, and artistic heritage. It encourages you to move beyond textbook knowledge and engage with real-world German-language materials, deepening your cultural awareness and linguistic precision. The project also prepares you for the discussion element of the speaking exam, where you must respond to unexpected questions and justify your viewpoints. By the end of the IRP, you should be able to speak confidently and coherently about your chosen topic for up to 10 minutes, demonstrating both fluency and analytical depth.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Presentation of key research findings (up to 2 minutes)
Discussion of research findings (9-10 minutes)
Ability to initiate and conduct individual research
Ability to analyse and summarise research findings
Ability to explain, develop, justify, and defend opinions and views
Ability to evaluate critically aspects of the researched topic
Use of relevant factual knowledge to support arguments
Effective use of evidence to justify conclusions

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Presentation of key research findings (up to 2 minutes)
Discussion of research findings (9-10 minutes)
Ability to initiate and conduct individual research
Ability to analyse and summarise research findings
Ability to explain, develop, justify, and defend opinions and views
Ability to evaluate critically aspects of the researched topic
Use of relevant factual knowledge to support arguments
Effective use of evidence to justify conclusions
Engagement with the examiner's questions and challenges

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Choose a topic that genuinely interests you to make the 9-10 minute discussion more engaging
💡Ensure your research title and approach are distinct if other students choose the same general subject area
💡Focus on the quality of findings rather than the quantity
💡Prepare to defend your findings and conclusions against examiner challenges
💡Use the Candidate Record form to clearly indicate the scope of research and sources used
💡Practice explaining, developing, justifying, and defending your opinions during preparation

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Basing research on the same literary text or film used in the written assessment
Failing to use at least two sources or failing to include an online source
Exceeding the 2-minute limit for the presentation
Providing information that is not directly relevant to the discussion
Failing to ask questions or seek information/opinions during the sub-theme discussion (though this applies to Part 1, it is a common pitfall in the speaking exam generally)
Relying on notes other than the Candidate Record form during the presentation and discussion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Critical analysis of authentic source material - credit use of 'laut der Quelle' and 'in Bezug auf' to attribute findings

Justification of personal research findings - award marks for 'dies beweist, dass' and 'daraus lässt sich schließen' to signal logical deduction

Synthesis of conflicting socio-cultural perspectives - focus on 'während' and 'obwohl' to contrast divergent viewpoints within the target culture

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Present

Discuss

Analyse

Summarise

Evaluate

Justify

Defend

Explain

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Individual research project

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level German

A-level grammar (additional)

Adjectives

Adjectives (A-level)

Adverbs and adverbials

Individual research project

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a good research question for my German IRP?

How long should my IRP presentation be, and can I use notes?

What kind of sources should I use for my IRP, and how many?

How can I prepare for the discussion part of the IRP?

Can I change my IRP topic after I've started researching?

How is the IRP marked, and what are examiners looking for?

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level German

A-level grammar (additional)

Adjectives

Adjectives (A-level)

Adverbs and adverbials