1. Exam Skills – Keyword Misconceptions
07 December 2018
Exam Skills – Keyword Misconceptions
Learning outcomes
I will be able to:
State definitions for each keyword
Correctly use the keywords in a context
Explain why the use of certain words is not scientifically correct
Numeracy Objective
Ensure graphs and tables have titles and units.
REMEMBER: units are put into brackets.
Literacy Objective
Correct tense and verb agreement. You must use the correct version of the verb to match the tense. E.g. I see / I saw I do / I did.
Main errors are:
We was Correct to: We were.....
Presentation reminders
Underline titles and dates.
Include full date annotation.
Use a pencil and ruler where appropriate for diagrams and tables.
BfL reminders
Reminder about phones/headphones given at start of lesson. If phones out after, the teacher will confiscate until the end of the lesson.
Maintain a calm, learning environment.
No eating, drinking or shouting out.

2. Words students always use wrong:
Keywords
Words students always use wrong:
Accurate
Precise
Fair test
Repeatable
Reproducible
Creates energy
Words students always use that are not enough to gain marks:
Pollution
Fair test
Electricity

3. Keywords
Words students always use wrong:
Accurate
Precise
Fair test
Repeatable
Reproducible
Creates energy
Very common mistake: The top ruler is more PRECISE than the bottom one. NOT more accurate.
Resolution = 1mm
Resolution = 1cm
Accuracy: A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.
The top ruler is more precise because it has a higher RESOLUTION.
Precision: Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value. Precision depends only on the extent of random errors – it gives no indication of how close results are to the true value

4. Keywords DO NOT say “To keep it fair I will do repeat readings”.
Words students always use wrong:
Accurate
Precise
Fair test
Repeatable
Reproducible
Creates energy
DO NOT say “To keep it fair I will do repeat readings”.
Repeating makes results more accurate, it DOES NOT make it fair.
If you repeat this, it’s still not fair.
If you’re asked how to make an experiment fair, you must state the CONTROL VARIABLES.
What needs to be kept the same?

5. Keywords REPEATABLE: YOU can do it again and get
Words students always use wrong:
Accurate
Precise
Fair test
Repeatable
Reproducible
Creates energy
REPEATABLE:
YOU can do it again and get
the same results/conclusion.
REPRODUCIBLE:
SOMEONE ELSE can do it again and get the same result/conclusion.

6. ENERGY CANNOT BE CREATED OR DESTROYED.
Keywords
Words students always use wrong:
Accurate
Precise
Fair test
Repeatable
Reproducible
Creates energy
ENERGY CANNOT BE CREATED OR DESTROYED.
Common mistakes:
Mitochondria in cells CREATE energy by respiration = WRONG
Mitochondria in cells RELEASE energy by respiration = CORRECT
The chemical reaction CREATES energy = WRONG
The chemical reaction RELEASES energy = CORRECT
The generator in the wind turbine CREATES energy = WRONG
The generator in the wind turbine GENERATES ELECTRICITY = CORRECT

7. “It gives out pollution”
Keywords
Words students always use that are not enough to gain marks:
Pollution
Fair test
Electricity
Common answer:
“It gives out pollution”
What is it? What gives out pollution?
NEVER say IT!
NOT ENOUGH to get the mark.
What pollution?
Carbon dioxide causing global warming
Sulphur dioxide causing acid rain

8. Why did the pupil keep something the same in the experiment?
Keywords
Words students always use that are not enough to gain marks:
Pollution
Fair test
Electricity
Common question:
Why did the pupil keep something the same in the experiment?
Common Answer:
To make it a fair test
NOT ENOUGH for the mark
Correct answer:
To make it a fair test because if they didn’t and he had to run less distance, his time would be less anyway

9. “Electricity flows through the wires” Common answer:
Keywords
Words students always use that are not enough to gain marks:
Pollution
Fair test
Electricity
Common answer:
“Electricity flows through the wires”
Common answer:
“Too much electricity makes the fuse blow”
Correct answer:
“Electric CURRENT flows through the wires”
Correct answer:
“If the CURRENT is too high the fuse MELTS”