NEA: food investigation and food preparation assessment

The NEA at a glance (AQA)

• The written exam (1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks) is worth 50% of the GCSE. The two NEA tasks are worth the other 50%.
• NEA 1, the food investigation (15%): a scientific investigation into the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients. It takes about 10 hours and is written up in about 1,500 to 2,000 words.
• NEA 2, the food preparation assessment (35%): you research and plan, then prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than 3 hours. It takes about 20 hours in total.
• AQA releases the task titles each year, and you choose one for each task.

Doing well in NEA 1

• Research the science behind the task, such as how different flours affect bread.
• Write a hypothesis or prediction, then plan fair tests, changing only one variable.
• Record results with photos, sensory testing and measurements; analyse them and link them to the science.
• Evaluate the investigation and explain how the findings could be used.

Doing well in NEA 2

• Research the task and trial a range of dishes that show complex skills.
• Choose a final menu of three dishes that shows a range of technical skills (such as filleting, making pastry or sauces).
• Write a detailed time plan with food safety points and contingencies.
• Present the dishes attractively, then evaluate them, including cost, sensory qualities and nutritional analysis.

Key terms

NEA

Non-exam assessment: the food investigation and food preparation tasks.

Food investigation

NEA 1: a scientific investigation into ingredients.

Food preparation assessment

NEA 2: planning, cooking and presenting three dishes.

Hypothesis

A prediction that can be tested.

Time plan

A plan of when each step will be done, including safety points.

Variable

A factor that can change in an investigation.

Contingency

A backup plan if something goes wrong.