WJECAS/A Level8 resources
WJEC AS/A Level D&T Food Science and Nutrition Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Free WJEC A Level D&T Food Science and Nutrition written papers & mark schemes. Unit 1 covering food science principles. 8 resources.
📅Summer series📄8 resources available✅Free to download
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8 of 8 resources
Summer 2023
2 filesSummer 2022
2 filesSummer 2019
2 filesScientific Foundations of Food: WJEC’s Written Assessment in Food Science
WJEC AS/A Level Design and Technology: Food Science and Nutrition applies scientific principles to the study of food — its composition, nutritional value, preparation, and the technology behind food production. The written paper assesses theoretical understanding while practical components demonstrate applied food preparation skills.
The AS examination (Unit 1, lasting ninety minutes and contributing a quarter of the A Level weighting) covers the science of food: macro and micronutrients, the functions of ingredients in food preparation, food safety and hygiene, sensory analysis, and the nutritional needs of different population groups. Questions range from short-answer factual items to extended responses requiring scientific explanation.
Practical components (NEA) assess the ability to plan, prepare, and evaluate food products, demonstrating understanding of nutrition, food science, and food provenance. Eight resources are available, providing past papers and mark schemes for the examined unit.
Exam Paper Structure
Unit 1Calculator ✓
Written Paper 1
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 Varies marks📊 25% of grade
Macro and micronutrientsFunctions of ingredients in food preparationFood safety and hygieneSensory analysisNutritional needs of different groups
Key Information
| Exam Board | WJEC |
| Specification Code | Eduqas (WJEC) D&T: Food Science |
| Qualification | AS/A Level |
| Grading Scale | A*–E (A Level), A–E (AS) |
| Assessment Type | Written exam + NEA practical components |
| Tiers | No tiers |
| Number Of Papers | Unit 1 written + NEA units |
| Exam Duration | Unit 1: 1 hr 30 min |
| Total Marks | Varies |
| Calculator Status | Calculator allowed |
| Available Sessions | Summer series |
| Total Resources | 8 |
Key Topics in D&T: Food Science and Nutrition
Topics you need to know
Macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteinsMicronutrients: vitamins and mineralsDigestion and metabolismFunctions of ingredients in cooking and bakingFood safety: bacteria, temperature control, and HACCPSensory analysis and evaluationNutritional requirements across the lifespanFood provenance and sustainability
Exam Command Words
| Command word | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| Explain | Give scientific reasons for a nutritional or food science concept |
| Describe | Outline a process, function, or nutritional requirement |
| Evaluate | Assess the nutritional value or suitability of a food product |
| Analyse | Examine the composition or properties of a food ingredient |
Typical Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Approximate mark needed |
|---|---|
| A* | 78–88% |
| A | 68–77% |
| B | 57–67% |
| C | 46–56% |
| D | 35–45% |
| E | 24–34% |
⚠️ Typical A Level boundaries. Boundaries vary by session.
Nutritional Science and Food Safety Essentials for WJEC Food Science
Understand the chemical structures and functions of macronutrients in detail. Know the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, saturated and unsaturated fats, and the role of amino acids in protein synthesis. For each macronutrient, be able to explain its digestion pathway, metabolic function, and the consequences of deficiency or excess.
Food safety questions test knowledge of bacterial contamination, temperature control, and HACCP principles. Prepare to explain specific hazards (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) alongside the control measures that prevent them: correct storage temperatures, cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, and the role of use-by dates.
Sensory analysis questions may ask you to design or evaluate a tasting panel. Know the difference between ranking, rating, triangle, and duo-trio tests, and explain when each is appropriate. Understand the variables that affect sensory perception — lighting, temperature, order of tasting — and how to control them for reliable results.
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