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So folks, as the Easter Break looms large, and GCSEs are fast approaching, if your school is offering Easter exam intervention, definitely do attend. If nothing else you'll benefit from a much better teacher to student ratio. Remember, the only 'daft' question in learning is the unasked question, so if you're 'not getting it', ask the question.

Exam top tip of the day. Graphs continued. How do I can self- assess whether I've drawn a good graph (and therefore max marks)? Remember SPLAT.
S- Scale. When working your scale out, your graph must cover more than two thirds of the total graph area (no tiny graph in one corner, that is an instant 0 marks). Your scale must be evenly spaced and go up in regular intervals (2s,5s, whatever is reasonable). What ever scale you do decide on, you must be able to work out the value of one square, so make the maths easy for you. Work out your scale first, and then draw the axes lines. Do not draw the axes line first and then try and make the scale fit. Use a sharp pencil and rule for all of this.

P- Plot. Either make a nice neat, small dot or cross. Check it. if it's wrong, rub it out and redo it.

L- Line of best fit (if appropriate) This will either be a straight line, or a curve. How do I know which one to use? If if plots look like they form a nice curve, then it will be a curve. As neatly as you can, and free-hand, join the points together. You may need the rotate the exam paper to make it easier for you. If it doesn't look like a curve, draw a straight line, with a ruler. You can draw through some points but must try and ensure there id equal number of points either side of where you draw the line.

A- Axis- covered above, but remember to use as much of the graph are as you can. Both axes MUST be correctly labelled (WITH UNITS) with the variable given in the question. If time is a var. this ALWAYS goes on the x- axis.

T- Title. All good graphs have a title. For example 'Graph to show time vs speed'.

The most unlikely type of graph you'll be expected to draw (generally) is a bar chart.

There's a lot there, but you can read this as many times as you like. More exam top tips to follow!

Todays exam top tip. Graphs! "We hate graphs, Sir". Yes I know, but they're really not complicated and worth typically 3-4 marks (points win prizes people). You can expect a graph question, and they're usually styled in a couple of ways. If the question asks you to draw a graph from a table of data (the question paper will already have the graph squared paper section printed on it), these are worth the most marks. The mark scheme will be broken to- 1-2. marks for drawing the axis, 1. mark for labelling the axis correctly (WITH UNTIS), 1. mark for plotting the points correctly to within 1mm (yes, they really do measure them), and if appropriate 1. mark for drawing a line of best fit (which can either be a straight line or a curve). The other presentation of this question is where the graph is already drawn for you and you need to label it as per the instructions given in the question. These are worth less marks usually. More top tips on the way!

How to be confident you're gaining full marks for the 3-4 marker calculation qs on GCSE science papers? Remember the FIFA system. F-Formula. Identify it from the supplementary sheet or from the question, and write it in the answer space. I- Insert the values provided by the question. F- Fine tune (rearrange formual as required, remember and use V.R.I./ S.D.T. triangles etc). A- Answer the question (REMEMBER UNITS!!). If you do noting more than write the unrearranged formulae on the facts provided by the question. Instant 1 mark. Enjoy the sun peeps. Mr M.

Revision workbooks available soon.