Science Options

The linear route is when the examination takes place at the end of the whole qualification or course. Some people consider this to be the more ‘traditional’ approach. With a linear route many areas will not be tested but you still have to revise all material so that you are prepared. Specifications download the specifications and tick off as you revise the work. Past papers – these can be found on the student drive in science. Read some examiners reports to see where other students went wrong. Be aware of how the papers are laied out. For example the B2 and B4 papers are longer as they have a section D Students can find the past paper on the OCR webpage.

Physics Course Overview

Biology Triple Biology

Revision techniques

Approach to exam questions The number of marks that are awarded for the question are the number of points that that the student should make. Where tables and graphs are provided, students should look to use numerical data to back up their answer. Comparisons should be made between sets of data.

Exam technique Some command words are asking for more complex responses than others and this will be reflected in the marks awarded. For example, if the question asks you to ‘list’ things, you are only being asked to recall knowledge and so there will be relatively few marks awarded for this answer. Don’t waste too much time on details in your response. Conserve your time for more complex tasks such as analysing, comparing and contrasting and justifying. Some exam questions will require you to show your maths skills, graph skills or your ability to illustrate your understanding using diagrams. Some key rules of thumb will ensure your knowledge and understanding is communicated effectively to the examiner. Your graphs, diagrams and drawings in the exam need to be as sharp as possible. You are not being judged on your art skills but on how technically accurate you can be. When drawing straight lines ALWAYS use a ruler. Similarly, circles and arcs need to be made with a pair of compasses. However good your freehand drawing is, if you want to be technically accurate you need to use technical drawing equipment Ensure your measurements are spot on. Slight inaccuracy in setting compass measurements, for example, can throw off the rest of your measurements.

Certain websites will have apps that you can download onto your mobile phone, and you can set them to send you questions that you have to answer in a short amount of time. These are normally in a multiple choice style, just like playing ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ based on the subject of your exam. This will really help you focus and help you revise. Example apps are: revision/id ?mt=8

Most Likely Exam Questions P1 Heat Transfer, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Wave (P&S, Transverse Waves) P2 Global Warming, Radiation, Uses of Nuclear, Mains Electricity, P3 Speed Calculations, motion calculations, braking distance and car safety, gravitationally based calculations. P4 Electrostatics and mains electricity, Longitudinal waves & Ultrasound. Nuclear Radiation – Uses, types, decay, chain reactions, Fission and fusion. P5 Satellite uses & Orbits, Equations of motion & Momentum, Atmospheric Waves & Interference, Light theory and applications P6 Resistance & Potential Division, Electrical Components, Logic gates. Electric & Magnetic Fields, Motors & Dynamos, Transformers, Diodes & Capacitors.

Approach to Exam Questions The most important thing to do (and obvious) is to read the question. Understand what the question is asking you NOT what you think it is asking. Underline command words (Describe, Explain, Evaluate) and any scientific terms. Write a brief plan for the 6 marks questions. When you are reading the question, brain vomit any terms or topics that come to mind in the margin. You can use these ideas to construct a response. Make sure you address all parts of the question, as commonly pupils only cover the first part, forgetting about the second part. Don’t forget that you have about a mark per minute during the exam. Don’t spend excessive time on the 6 marks questions which mean you will not cover other questions later in the paper (which might be easier marks!) Practice using the equations, people neglect to do this as the equations of provided, but you must be able to use them. Marks are lost through poorly selected and used equations. Make sure you know the UNITS for each equation, as they give the equation at the front of the paper, but not the UNITS.