SQA Study Skills Biology National 5 Biology SQA

SQA Study Skills Biology

National 5 Biology SQA Course Specification Higher Biology Higher Human Biology Advanced Higher Biology

The structure of revision sessions • Have an aim for each session, e. g. 'By the end of today be able to answer questions on photosynthesis’. • While it can be comforting to continue revising what you know, focus on the ‘next steps’ you’ve identified, in conjunction with your teacher, in your evaluation feedback • Break down each topic into 'do-able' chunks. Revise each section – don't just read the information. Do something active with it (next slide). • Produce notes (shorter each time you revise a particular area) - noting key points, phrases or words. • Test yourself to see what you have learnt. • Tick off the subject on your 'overall list’ so that you can see regular progress. • Revisit your notes briefly after one day, one week and one month, as well as just before the exam.

Drawing 'spider diagrams' on large pieces of paper to show different parts of a subject fit together. Use Highlight key diagrams/pictures and colour to make areas of posters with key notes, picking points and display these on the walls or out the key somewhere you will points or see them regularly. summaries. Put revision aids up Active revision strategies Watch revision videos/ around the house This is ESSENTIAL to allow narrated Power. Points, especially for any but don't just sit back rote learning - read your brain to learn, make passively - pause them when brushing and make notes of key connections and remember. your teeth or eating or difficult areas, test your breakfast. yourself or get someone Different people find to watch with you and different activities useful, test each other. and you need to find out which revision strategy Record yourself making 10 key points works best for you. Some about a particular Read a page ideas are: topic and then play it and shut the back when you are travelling or book - what exercising. can you Have people Tell someone about around you to remember? what you have learned – explain how the heart works over a meal (or perhaps stick to something less gory). test you on your knowledge, that is what family and friends are for!

“practice exam type questions to refine your skills” “think of memory aids for different topics” “do lots of small tasks rather than a big one” “listen to your brain when it tells you it needs a break/snack” “do past paper questions under exam conditions (no notes, with a clock) and bring them in to be marked by the teacher” “make a study timetable and allow break times” “time yourself doing a full past paper to learn how to manage time” “if losing focus, take a short break” “doing past paper questions on areas you struggle with instead of the entire paper at once” “write flashcards, leave them for a couple of hours then ask a parent/friend to test you on them” “choose one key word to help you memorise statements” Advice from current students “using Quizlet to revise with flash cards/ quizzes etc. made by other people to see if you’ve missed anything out” “flash cards or neat, colourful posters. When things are appealing to the eye you are more likely to enjoy studying and learn the knowledge. Trust me” “make flashcards to consolidate knowledge then do past papers. I write out the answers to flashcards that I’m not sure of a couple of times and just say the easier ones” “put posters on wall/ place you look at often”

Exam techniques - Paper 1 ALWAYS attempt multiple choice questions (you have a 25% chance of getting it right) Only choose ONE answer for multiple choice questions

Read ALL of the question. Every word is there for a reason Exam techniques - Paper 2 Take a deep breath Read the question again, highlighting/underlining the key words Look at the number of marks the question is worth (this will guide you as to how many points to make) Look at the command word used (coming up). This will tell you the level of detail to include

When drawing graphs, you must use a ruler to join points/draw bars Exam techniques - Paper 2 Graphs must be plotted neatly and accurately When drawing graphs, check the type of graph you’ve been asked to draw (line/bar). You must use at least 50% of the axes. When labelling graphs, labels must be given in full i. e. copy the headings from the tables/information in passage WORD FOR WORD. Include units (where appropriate) When plotting points in a graph, 0, 0 is only plotted when data is given (i. e. only join your line back to zero if you are given data for it). In a pie chart lines must originate from the central point and extend to tick marks.

When a numerical answer is required, you must supply the units Exam techniques - Paper 2 If asked to choose the correct option to make the sentence correct, only change the word/phrase underlined Look at the number of marks for essays. This will indicate the number of points to make (always try to include extra just in case) For any essay define the key concepts first

“write out processes regularly to reinforce” “Take a note of common/repeated answers as they might come up again” “after YOU feel you have learnt a good amount of knowledge, QUESTIONS!, QUESTIONS! Is the way to do it. Exams try to make the questions seem harder than it is but by practicing past paper questions and questions as MUCH AS YOU CAN you will be guaranteed amazing marks!” “answer past paper questions, especially essay questions” ”look at marking schemes to learn exam techniques (lots of same questions asked different ways)” Biology study tips from current students “make flash cards on the course specification” “reading through the course specification and note down word for word anything you don’t know. Word for word is very important in Biology “write out common questions you think you could be asked on flashcards and test yourself” “read through course specification and highlight areas of confusion – ask your teacher for help” “practice numeracy skills by completing problem solving questions”

Command Words – National 5/Higher Human Identify, name, give or state Describe Explain You need only answer or present in brief form You must provide a statement as opposed to simply one word You must provide a reason for the information given Compare You must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the similarities and/or differences between topics being examined Calculate You must determine a number from given facts, figures or information Predict You must indicate what may happen based on available information Suggest You must apply your knowledge and understanding to a new situation

Command Words – Advanced Higher (National 5/Higher Human plus the following) Evaluate You must make a judgement based on criteria You must give a reason or reasons for a particular Account for action, event, observation, change or state

SQA past papers (just amend level and subject where necessary) Useful websites – all levels BBC Bitesize • National 5 • Higher • Human Biology Scholar (Login required – access via Glow) Amoeba sisters - videos Biology Crash Course - videos

National 5 Biology • Mrs Stobo You Tube Channel - N 5 presentations and talk throughs of PS Questions • Biology online – course information Useful websites Higher Biology • The Higher Biology Podcast • Mrs Stobo You Tube Channel - Higher Bio presentations and talk throughs of PS Questions • Jennifer Kennedy resource website - Higher Biology • Biology online – course information Higher Human Biology • The Biology Coach (Annie Mc. Robbie) • Biology online – course information Advanced Higher Biology • Jennifer Kennedy resource website – (coming soon) • The Biology Coach (Annie Mc. Robbie)

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