Exam Technique Read the Question Always read the

Exam Technique

Read the Question • Always read the question carefully – don’t rush in and answer straight away. • Think about what the question is asking and what information it is looking for. • Use the marks as a hint of how detailed the answer needs to be. BUG Put a BOX around command words. UNDERLINE important or useful information. GO back and read the question again.

Read the Question Command words - What does they mean? n Explai and w o h s ver nisms hat co a t h r c e e t m answ with abou ailed k t l e a e s T d u f a ns. on Write happe n’t c o g d n i h : t int why a s. (H n o s a re and . ribe”) c s e d “ Describe Write a detailed answer that covers what happens, when it happens, and where it happens. Talk about facts and characteristics. (Hint: don’t confuse with “explain”). Calculate Work out a n umber. You can use your calculator to help you. You m ay need to use an equatio n. Evaluate You will be given some facts, data, or o ther kind of information. Write about the dat a or facts and provide your own conclusion or o pinion on them. Justify n rite dow w r o e c n r e evide examine e h Give som t ll e t nation to r. an expla n answe a e v a g u why yo Suggest Think about what you’ve learnt and apply it to a new situation or context. Use what you have learnt to suggest sensible answers to the question. Compare s difference d n a s e ti ri a t the simil Write abou o things. between tw Predict Look at some d ata and suggest a realistic valu or outcome. Yo e u may use a ca lc u la to r to help. Don’t guess – lo ok at trends in t h e d ata and use your knowledge of science. (Hin t: don’t confuse with “calculate ” or “estimate ”).

Read the Question Example • This information is given to HELP you answer the question. • ALWAYS read the information first. HINT!!!! More information – the question is 3 marks and there are 3 adaptions listed. Oily feathers are waterproof and prevent cold water reaching the skin. A streamlined body helps reduce water resistance so the penguin can swim faster. A layer of fat helps insulate the penguin. [3]

Read the Question Example HINT - this is what the question is about, convection. gain more thermal energy and begin to move about faster. Use this to your advantage – sentence starters direct your response. This makes the water particles take up more space and the warmer water at the bottom of the saucepan becomes less dense. This less dense water rises to the top of the saucepan and is replaced by cooler, more dense water at the bottom of the pan. 3 marks, so 3 points to make.

Be Flexible Read the whole question first. • Many students often find the first part of the question difficult and give up at this point. This may be because of an unfamiliar context or even chemical name. • Read the remaining parts of the question, because this should give students clues to the science the question relates to.

Be Flexible Change the order. • Answers the questions in any order you like – you don’t need to go from start to finish. • Answers easy questions first to secure marks and build your confidence. • Come back to harder questions at the end – you have plenty of time.

Be Flexible If you’re stuck…. Move on! • The worse thing you can do is stay on a question you are stuck on!! • Don’t get frustrated. • Don’t be afraid to leave a question to come back to. • MOVE ON and secure yourself marks on questions you feel more confident answering.

Use the Marks • Every question is worth a certain number of marks. • Use the number of marks to determine the amount of detail needed in your answer. • Think of it – for every 1 mark given, you need to make one clear and concise statement.

Use the Marks Basic example. electron nucleus • The answers you need to use are provided here! . neutron • 3 marks for 3 words in the correct place – simple!

Use the Marks More detailed example – 3/4 marks. • Explain = detailed answer that explain why. • Bullet point if you need to clearly see the points you make. • Reaching. for food led to more use of the neck. • More use led to an increased length of the neck (characteristic). • This characteristic was passed on to offspring. • 3 marks on a written question = 3 written statements / points.

Use the Marks Challenging example – 6 mark question. Quality of written communication is NO LONGER AWARDED A SPECIFIC MARK. However, good English and clear organisation of information is expected for the full 6 marks. . Describe = write a detailed answer of the steps in a vaccination.

Use the Marks Challenging example – 6 mark question. A small quantity of dead or inactive form of the pathogen is introduced into the body. . The body responds by producing white blood cells. The white blood cells produce specific antibodies. These antibodies destroy the pathogen. If the same pathogen re-enters the body, the white blood cells respond quickly to produce the correct antibodies, destroying the pathogen, thus preventing infection.

Show Calculations • ALWAYS start by writing out the equation you are using. • Next substitute the values into the equation. • If necessary, re-arrange the numbers. • Finally, calculate your answer. YOU NEED A SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR!

Show Calculations • Include the units where required. • Use BIDMAS. • Because you have shown your working, even if you get the answer wrong and your working correct, you will still get a mark!

Graphs • Sharp Pencil ONLY – you can rub out mistakes. • Choose a scale so that plotted points take up more than half the grid. • The first column in a data table is usually the independent variable and is plotted on the xaxis.

Graphs • Label axes using the information in the table headings and with units. • Use an even scale. • Plot points as crosses NOT DOTS with an accuracy of ± ½ a small square. • Draw a smooth line or curve of best fit.

• Describe the trend or pattern in terms of the variables on the axis labels. E. g. , “As time increases the distance moved increases. ” • Use terms like, “directly proportional” if the dependent variable doubles as the independent variable doubles. Distance (metres) Graphs Time (seconds)

Question Wording • Exams can word questions in complicated ways – it is testing your ability to understand what they are asking. • Complicated questions often have simple answers – go with your first answer, if you keep going back and forth, you will start doubting yourself.

General Tips • Always use key words where appropriate. • Short and simple answers are much better than long waffling answers. • Avoid re-stating the question in your answer.

General Tips • Remember to PEE – POINT, EVIDENCE, EXPLAIN. Use this to show your understanding when stating an advantage. • If you use bullet points for your answers – still use good English (capital letters and full stops). • DO NOT use the words IT or THEY - always name exactly what you mean.

General Tips • Spelling – As long as it can be recognised, the scientific word that you mean will count. • Capital letters and lower case letters - Make them clear and obvious – especially for chemical formulae (check them against the Periodic Table) and with units such as ‘m’ for metres and ‘J’ for joules.

Check Your Work • Re - read your answers when you have finished. • Never leave a question blank – it is always worth taking an educated guess. • A final look through your exam is the perfect time to check for any errors or add any extra information you may have remembered.

Before the exam • Go to bed early without distractions and have a good night’s sleep. • Have breakfast. • Be on time. • Ensure you have all your writing equipment including spares in a clear pencil case. • BRING A SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR TO ALL SCIENCE EXAMS.