Timing

The duration of the examination is 3 hours.

Spend 10 Minutes reading the paper and choosing questions particularly from Section C. Remember Section C is worth 60 per cent of the total exam mark.

Section C: Read each question carefully noting the mark allocated for each subsection. Then choose your four best questions, writing useful notes beside each question for reference.

This leaves

• 30 minutes for Section A (6 minutes per question)
• 20 minutes for Section B (10 minutes per question)
• 120 minutes for Section C (30 minutes for each question)

Answering Questions – General Guidelines

The detail expected in Section C answers depends on:

a) Mark Allocation: If the mark allocation is high, then it is reasonable to assume that a lot of detail is expected. Significantly more detail is required for a question with a mark allocation of 27 than for a question with a mark allocation of nine.

b) Wording of the Question: Only by practising examination questions will you become familiar with guide words and the depth of treatment they require. Common guide words include:

• Outline: Give the main points in sequence.
• Describe: Give a detailed account.
• Compare: Give both the similarities and the differences
• Contrast: Give only the differences.
• Suggest: Produce suggestions/ideas based on your knowledge of the topic.
• Name: Give the full name only eg Carbon Dioxide not CO2.

Question Analysis

It is essential that you only supply information on what you have been asked. Irrelevant information gains no marks and is a waste of valuable time. With this in mind careful analysis of each question is essential. Therefore underline key words (see below) to ensure that the question is properly understood.

Example: State two differences between D.N.A. and R.N.A.

1. Box in the instruction word(s)
2. Look for the word 'and' in a question as marks are given for the sections before and after it.
3. Number key sections of the question
4. Answer all sections of the question

Two differences between (2) D.N.A. and (3) R.N.A.

Note: If a question asks for a specific number of examples/differences give only the required number.

Answering Style

Try to avoid long paragraphs and essay type answers as this can cause you to go off the point and give unnecessary information.

• Furnish information in short clearly distinct points for example bullet points.
• A combination of written information and diagram may be used where one complements the other in making your point.
• Leave space between points to add information later when rechecking your answers.
• Extra Questions? It is not recommended that you attempt extra questions especially in Section C. Use your time to best advantage by planning the questions you are required to answer and checking back over your answers.