Acing your exams
HI THERE, students! It is that time of year again. I can hardly believe that we have finished another year of lessons. I enjoyed the time that I spent with you and I hope you did, too!
Remember how your exam is set? There are three papers. Paper 03 represents the School Based Assessment, which is now history, and there is nothing you can now do to alter that mark, so we will not spend any time to even think about it. Paper 01 is the multiple-choice paper which consists of 60 multiple-choice items and, remember now, the items cover the entire syllabus. Despite what you may think, Paper 01 does not provide items for a guessing game; neither is it a contest, providing prizes for the candidate who finishes in the shortest possible time. Each question requires serious analysis and thought before you attempt to shade! Be reminded also that poor shading techniques can create problems for you. Avoid using your eraser, and invest in the correct pencil. Your pencil must be HB, not H, and definitely not 2H! The shading from the soft (HB) pencil is what the computer handles best; erasing what you consider an incorrect answer provides the computer with two options and it may not chose the one that you want it to choose, so do not erase. Use the time given wisely, read each question carefully before deciding on an answer. Take careful note of the words that are in capitals and in bold. These are the key words and they are important in helping you to understand the questions.
Paper 02 is the paper that deals with structured questions (Section A) and extended essays (Section B). This is the paper that most students tend to dread. It consists of three structured and three extended essay questions, each worth 15 marks. There is a difference, however; the 15 marks are much harder to earn from Section A than from Section B. Why is this so? This is so because Section A requires precise, well-reasoned answers and few students are very good at giving these! How, then, can you manipulate this, paper to get maximum marks? Do not spend time answering all of the questions in Section A before you attempt Section B. If you do this, you will find that you will spend too much time on Section A and not have enough time left for Section B, where you are likely to gain more marks. What do you do then? Do Question 1 in Section A and then go to Question 4 in Section B, and continue like this until you get to the end. This way, all the questions will be given equal attention.
ANSWERING SECTION A
Read the information at the start of the question carefully. Read it until you understand what it is about and what you have been asked to do. Annotate, deduce, distinguish, differentiate, discuss, explain, precaution, suggest are words that are almost always on the question paper. Do you know what these words mean? If you do not, how are you going to answer the questions correctly? Hint: If you have not yet discovered it, there is a glossary of terms at the back of your syllabus. How much detail do you need to give? The question will give you clues:
Give short answers to questions which begin: ‘State ...’, ‘List ...’, ‘Name ...’
Give longer answers if you are asked to ‘Explain..’, ‘Describe’, ‘Why does ...’
Section A’s questions are to be answered in the spaces or ruled lines that are provided with the question. The number of lines provided is a guide as to how much you are expected to write. DO NOT WRITE OVER THE QUESTION IN YOUR ANSWER! You are wasting time and space. E.g., Explain some long-term effects that deforestation is likely to have on climate and soil fertility.
It is not necessary for you to write: ‘The long-term effects of deforestation is likely to cause ...’ This will take up almost two lines of the space allotted as well as time that can be used to write the answer, and also serves to repeat the question which is already on the paper. Instead, go directly to the answer: ‘Deforestation can lead to an increase in the CO2 content of the air which will . ... ’
ANSWERING SECTION B
Again, read each question carefully. Each question is divided into several sections. Look at the marks allotted to each and use this as a guide to the length and depth of your answer. You cannot write the same number of points for a question which is worth six marks as you would do for one to which three marks are assigned.
Do not provide answers for questions that are not asked. E.g., you are asked: Why are you doing biology? You do not answer by writing: Biology is a wonderful subject that deals with the study of living organisms and I love animals. You answer: I am doing biology because I want to become a pharmacist and it is one of the requirements.
Use the information in the different sections of the questions to help you to focus your thoughts on the information that you need to recall. Believe me, it is quite possible for you to write one full page and get 0 marks.
Learn to spell biological terms and words. It is important and it is a habit that you must develop. Many of you aspire to become medical workers; think of what would happen if certain key words relating to the patient’s treatment were to be spelt incorrectly!
Learn to draw biological structures. Do not practise these drawings in your head; practise them on paper! This is the only way that you will be able to test your knowledge and your skill. Annotate your drawing. It saves time!
Do not rewrite the annotations in the body of your answer; you are wasting time!
Now go and get some past papers and practise. Good luck!