Not sure about the papers, but your friend’s son is definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to practicals. The JC teachers are supposedly shown some kind of sample, I think, and give the students repeated practice papers that follow this sample practical. When the actual A level practical is tested, it is pretty similar to the sample practical, so many students score for it.


I don’t think private candidates have tougher papers - it’s just that JC teachers are better equipped to coach students because they are a lot more familiar with what the examiners are testing, what they want etc.