Top tips for common questions on the paper

Diagrams

Draw large, clear and fully labelled diagrams. Draw the diagram in pencil and label in biro. Diagrams do not need to be coloured in or shaded – this will waste time.

Practise drawing and labelling all diagrams.

Graphs

Expect questions based on graphs; students can be asked to construct or interpret a graph.

Graph paper will be included in the booklet, always use this to construct graphs.

Students should draw graphs in pencil and use a ruler. Marks will be allocated to:

Labelling each axis and including units.

Scaling the graphs correctly.

Plotting all points and remembering to connect all points.

Remember: SALT – Scale, Axis, Label, Title.

Calculations

Always use your calculator.

Show all workings in calculations; if a small mistake is made in the calculation students will not lose all marks, only a small fraction of total marks, for that question.

Lots of practice of old exam questions using formulae will help students gain confidence with all calculations.

Experiments

Mandatory experiments feature strongly on the written paper; therefore students are advised to use their practical copies as a revision aid.

Use bullet points to answer the questions, be aware of the space provided.

Use a diagram where possible.

In the exam

Use bullet point answers.

Stick to the question that has been asked and answer it, don’t go off point.

Don’t stay on a question if you get stuck, move on and remember if you time the paper correctly you will have 10 minutes at the end to return to any unfinished questions. Aim to use all the space provided.

Attempt all questions; there is no choice on this paper. If you leave a question blank you will get no marks however if you attempt a question some marks may be awarded.

Start the exam with your strongest section.