REVISION TIPS and EXAM TECHNIQUE

Mrs Richmond

How to be a successful reviser!Step 1: Know what you need to revise

Go through the exam specification and highlight / mark it according to your current knowledge of each statement.

Step 2: Start with your weakest areas

Identify your weakest areas of knowledge. Find a section of the revision guide / textbook about that topic. Make notes on it. Seek help if you need to.

How to be a successful reviser!Step 3: Move onto areas you are more confident with Don’t be complacent with these. Use

consolidation techniques to review the key points.

make summaries of what you need to know:* key words* key ideas* key processes

transfer linear notes into visual notes:* annotated diagrams* mind maps* tables* story board* posters

How do you consolidate your work?

transfer visual notes into linear notes:* table* flow chart

practise new skills

NOTES (from pg 46 of Biology textbook):The lungs are a large pair of inflatable structures lying in the chest cavity. Air can pass into the lungs through the nose and along the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Each part of this airway is adapted to its function of allowing the passage of air. Finally the air reaches tiny, air-filled sacs called alveoli. The walls of the alveoli are the surface where the exchange of gases takes place.

EXAMPLE:

These notes could be converted into a flow chart OR a labelled diagram. Have a go!

CONSOLIDATING

How to be a successful reviser!Step 3: Move onto areas you are more confident with Don’t be complacent with these. Use

consolidation techniques to review the key points.Step 4: Practice your knowledge and

understanding by testing yourself Try the practice questions in the textbook. Exam

questions there too. Practice papers via the links on frog. Write a quiz and swap it with a friend. Record yourself talking through key ideas. Listen to it to check it.

Other revision ideas Make a revision time table – some people NEED the

STRUCTURE!! Posters Mind maps Different coloured paper/ink Using mnemonics Revision Cards Make a revision booklet / revision guide / website /

PowerPoint Recording your notes on an audio device. Listen to

them. Revising with your friends (only if you’re confident

they won’t distract you!) Multimedia revising e.g. online quizzes,

BiologyMad.com, Biology A level Apps(again only if you can trust yourself not to become distracted!)

Exam techniqueUnderline key parts of the question.Look at the number of marks available.

a)Describe the changes in blood pressure from the arteries to the capillaries. [3]

Exam techniquea) Describe the changes in blood pressure

from the arteries to the capillaries. [3]MARK SCHEME• Fluctuates/AW,

in arteries• Amplitude

declines• Declines from

arteries to capillaries

• No fluctuations in capillaries

Exam techniqueUnderline key parts of the question.Look at the number of marks available.

b) Using information from the graph, describe the changes in blood pressure from the arteries to the capillaries. [4]

Exam techniqueb) Using information from the graph, describe the changes in blood pressure from the arteries to the capillaries. [4] MARK SCHEME

At least one mark must come from quoted figures.• Fluctuates/AW, in

arteries• Figures quoted of

peak and trough of fluctuation, with units

• Amplitude declines• Declines from arteries

to capillaries• Figures quoted of

arterial BP and capillary BP, with units

• No fluctuations in capillaries

Exam techniqueUnderline key parts of the question.Look at the number of marks available.

c) Explain the changes in blood pressure from the arteries to the capillaries. [4]

Exam techniquec) Explain the changes in blood pressure from the arteries to the capillaries. [4]

MARK SCHEME• Peak of fluctuations

refer to contractions of heart muscle / systole

• Troughs of fluctuations refer to relaxation of heart muscle / diastole

• Ref to elastic recoil effect

• Decrease reflects distance from the heart

• Decrease in capillaries due to increased surface area of capillaries

Exam techniqueUnderline key parts of the question.Look at the number of marks available.

d) Explain why it is important that the blood pressure changes from the arteries to the capillaries. [3]

Exam techniqued) Explain why it is important that the blood pressure changes from the arteries to the capillaries. [3]

MARK SCHEME• Slows flow rate• To allow exchange

(in capillaries)• Reduce likelihood

of damage (to arterioles and capillaries)

• Not as elastic as arteries

• ACCEPT to prevent capillary bursting

Exam techniqueSucceeding with long answer questions (5 or 6 marks)

I would love to independently

develop my writing skills

to improve my QWC in Science.

SIXcess

You need …

SOURCE: http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/SIXCESS-Gaining-TOP-marks-for-QWC-in-Science-6212652/

Read the question

and identify

Keywords

Link keywords in

order to construct a simple plan.

Construct your

sentences using the keywords.

Underline your

keywords to communicate

your Scientific

knowledge.

Proof read Your Work

SIX cess

SOURCE: http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/SIXCESS-Gaining-TOP-marks-for-QWC-in-Science-6212652/

EXAM TECHNIQUE

Describe how the structure of an artery is related to its function. [6]

In your answer, you should use appropriate technical terms, spelt correctly.

Identify at least 6 scientific key wordsFor example. Tunica intima Tunica media Tunica externa Elastic fibres Smooth muscle Collagen Endothelium

Perhaps the structure part

of the question first?

Can you order the key words to allow you to make a mini plan1. Tunica intima2. Endothelium3. Tunica media4. Elastic fibres5. Smooth muscle6. Tunica externa7. Collagen

Model answer Tunica intima is made of endothelium (single

cell layer) Endothelium is smooth to reduce friction Tunica media is made of smooth muscle and

elastic fibres Elastic tissue stretches and recoils To even out surges of pressure (from heart) Smooth muscle can contract to maintain

(high) pressure Tunica externa is mainly collagen. Collagen provides strength. Underline key words

as you use them to highlight your good use of scientific vocabulary

Always remember to Proof read your work

[5 max]

[1]

Actual mark

scheme

EXAM TECHNIQUEWhen passing from the alveolus to red blood cells, oxygen diffuses through cell membranes.Describe how other molecules or ions cross a plasma (cell surface) membrane by active transport and facilitated diffusion. [6]You should refer to the structure of the plasma (cell surface) membrane in your answer.

In your answer, you should use appropriate technical terms, spelt correctly.

[5 max][1]

GOOD LUCK!