GCSE Exam tips
Here are a list of exam tips to help you answer your papers
When first reading a question
- Read the question and underline the command word. These are words such as:
Explain- Using your scientific knowledge and understanding give a reason.
Describe- use the information provided to give details e.g. read from graphs and tables and quote data.
Compare- Make sure you have described the similiarites or differences between 2 or more things. - Look at how many marks are available for the question. Make sure you have weritten enough for large mark questions but DONT write too muc for 1 mark answers.
- Look for trigger words in the question to give you a clue to what topic they are asking about e.g. if water or salt concentration are mentiojned in the question then they are looking for an answer on osmosis.
- DO NOT use the word IT when describing and explaining something. Your in a sciece exam BE SPECIFIC.
- Make sure you know the spelling of your keywords. Use the quizlet links to help you with this.
- When faced with a graph make sure you read the axis properly. You can draw on the graph if that will help you.
The QWC
QWC's seem scary but they are actually really good ways of picking up easy marks as long as you follow my simple tips.
QWC's seem scary but they are actually really good ways of picking up easy marks as long as you follow my simple tips.
- Read the question and underline the command word.
- Look for key words that suggest what topic the question is linked to.
- have 20 seconds to think without writing anything. Just think.
- Bullet point the key words you need to answer the question in the blank space provided.
- Number the key words in the order you want to write them.
- Write your QWC using short sentences with correct spelling and grammer.