25/05/2013
EXAM TIPS for AS/A2 Biology.
You can improve your marks in Biology exams by correctly interpreting the questions. Here’s what to do if the question asks you to:
• Describe - state the obvious. Just say what you see and don't explain why it happens.
• Explain - tell the examiner WHY the observed trend/pattern/data is the way it is.
• Describe and explain - do both of the above, but it probably helps to follow up each describing points with its appropriate explanation. E.g: "The graph does A because B. It then does C because D etc." NOT "The graph does A and C and E. This is because B and D and F." It shouldn't happen but it seems more logical to me and plus it's normally the way AQA have written it previously in their mark schemes.
• Explain why ___ was done in the experiment - Make whatever points you feel relevant, but ALWAYS LINK IT TO THE OUTCOME OF THE EXPERIMENT. Often it helps to think 'OK, what would have happened in the experiment had ____ not been done?' then answer from there.
• Evaluate - Write a balanced argument using your own biological knowledge applied to the information in the question. If it helps, write bullet points. Describe and explain the pros followed by the cons (or for/against etc. dependent on question context) then follow up with a sound conclusion.
• Using data from the table to support your answer, do you think that ____? - Read the first nine words of the bold text. You MUST quote some actual figures and then describe the trend and explain it or do whatever you must to get your point across, but figures MUST be quoted.
• Calculate the percentage increase in ___ from X to Y - Apply the following formula: ( (|Y - X|)/X ) * 100, where X is the old/original time and Y is the new time, and |Y - X| is the positive difference between them.
Things you should watch out for:
• Precision, accuracy, reliability, validity - it is all too easy to muddle these up. A way to remember them is: Precision - smallest scale division, Accuracy - true value, reliable - repeats, and validity is the odd one out; data are valid when only the independent (explanatory) variable is allowed to affect the dependent (response) variable. That is, all confounding variables have been controlled.
• Give X reasons why Y happened - NEVER give more than you are asked for. The AQA mark schemes apply what they call 'list principle' which basically states that any wrong answer negates any right answer. This means if you thought of three correct reasons for a two reason question, you'd get two marks. However, if one was wrong but the other two were right you'd only get one mark, and if two were wrong you'd get nothing. So pick your most biologically sound arguments/reasons and leave the others out. Note: don't panic, AQA only apply this principle to questions where they specify how many points you need to make.
• Keep an eye on the marks available - obey the following rule wherever possible:1 mark = 1 minute = 1 point/reason So you should spend five minutes making five points on a five mark question.
• Check your work - sounds obvious, but you'll kick yourself for making a stupid mistake that you could have avoided and thus kept a mark or two.
