How to get an A* in your EPQ

Summary

This video offers essential tips to achieve an A* in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The speaker emphasizes the importance of source variety, critical analysis, and effective project planning over merely focusing on essay quality. Key advice includes utilizing both primary and secondary research, documenting every step in a project planning book, and using tools like Gantt charts to showcase time management skills. The speaker also encourages choosing a topic of personal interest for sustained engagement and advises dentistry applicants on reputable sources and ideas for EPQ topics.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ensure a variety of sources in your EPQ, including books, journals, websites, blogs, and more, to demonstrate critical analysis and source selection.
• 🔍 Use the citations and references in your sources to find additional material and expand your research base.
• 📝 Include both primary and secondary data in your research, such as interviews, questionnaires, books, and articles.
• ✍️ Focus less on perfecting the essay initially and more on planning, analyzing data, gathering sources, and evaluation.
• 📊 Project planning and time management are key: track your progress and use tools like Gantt charts to provide evidence of your organizational skills.
• 🗂 Write everything in your project planning book to ensure you document problem-solving, skill development, and project adjustments.
• ⏳ Keep a record of your time management, showcasing how you completed different stages of the project.
• 📈 A strong EPQ is not just about the final essay, but the entire process, including planning, evaluation, and how you manage the project.
• 🎯 Pick a topic you are genuinely interested in to stay motivated and engaged throughout the lengthy EPQ process.
• 🔄 Be open to refining your title as you progress through your research, as this development will earn you marks and help fine-tune your focus.

Q & A

What is the first tip the speaker gives for achieving a high grade in the EPQ?

The speaker advises having a variety of sources, such as books, journals, websites, and blogs, to demonstrate critical analysis and good source selection. A wider range of sources improves the quality of your analysis and shows that you've put effort into finding good materials.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of source variety in an EPQ?

Source variety is important because examiners want to see that you have explored different types of information and critically analyzed them. Relying too much on one type of source, like only websites or only books, may result in lower marks.

What does the speaker suggest doing with citations in sources?

The speaker suggests following the citations in your sources to find additional materials. This can help you expand your range of sources and discover valuable information to enhance your project.

How does the speaker differentiate between primary and secondary research?

Primary research involves collecting your own data through methods like interviews or questionnaires, while secondary research relies on pre-existing materials, such as books, articles, or videos.

What is the speaker’s advice regarding the essay portion of the EPQ?

The speaker advises not to stress too much about perfecting the essay at the start. Instead, focus on aspects like data analysis, source gathering, evaluation, and project planning, as these areas contribute significantly to the overall mark.

According to the speaker, what is more important than the essay itself in the EPQ?

The project planning, data analysis, and source evaluation are more important than the essay. The EPQ is about the entire project process, not just the final essay.

Why is the project planning book crucial in the EPQ?

The project planning book is essential because it allows you to document every step of your EPQ journey. This helps to demonstrate a range of skills like problem-solving, time management, and organization, all of which are important for a high grade.

What is the significance of keeping track of progress in the EPQ?

Tracking your progress helps demonstrate good time management and organizational skills. This can be shown through tools like a Gantt chart, which gives examiners evidence of how you planned and managed your project over time.

Why does the speaker recommend using a Gantt chart for the EPQ?

A Gantt chart helps you manage your time effectively and provides tangible evidence to examiners of your project management skills, such as time management and planning, which are important for achieving top marks.

What is the final piece of advice the speaker gives about choosing a topic for the EPQ?

The speaker advises choosing a topic that genuinely interests you, rather than one that you think will impress a university. If you're not passionate about the topic, the lengthy and tedious process of completing the EPQ will become difficult.