Cambridge International A Level Biology Revision Guide

Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology
Questions containing diagrams
Some questions contain references to diagrams; for example, ‘In Figure 1 …’.
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These diagrams can either be essential for you to answer the question or are there as a stimulus
to jog your memory and help you plan your answer.
Spend time and make sure you understand fully what the diagram is showing you, read the
question and refer again to the diagram before responding.
If there is an instruction to refer to a particular diagram, don’t ignore it – make it clear that you are
using the diagram in your response.
Carefully read the instruction to see if you need to add to the diagram; for example, you may be
asked to add labels or label lines (no arrow heads), write names of structures, or fill in blank boxes
on the diagram.
If it will help, add ideas to diagrams to prepare your answer.
If you add labels or annotations to a printed diagram as part of your response, refer to this fact in
your answer.
Suggestions on how to approach practical examinations
Introduction
A practical question paper assesses practical skills.
Some skills are only assessed in practical examinations. For example, obtaining the correct results
for a practical means that you are likely to have:
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followed exactly the instructions given
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used apparatus and equipment with skill and precision
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made measurements and observations with accuracy, skill and precision.
Making calculations, completing tables, analysing data and writing conclusions are also skills that
you are likely to use in practical examinations.
Be prepared to be adaptable and remain flexible in your approach to the questions on a practical
examination paper.
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There may be two questions – for example, one involving using a microscope, and one ‘wet’
practical, involving solutions, such as an enzyme experiment.
Other combinations of questions are possible; for example, it is possible to have a short
experiment that involves using the microscope in one question, and another short experiment,
possibly with photographs to interpret, in another question.
Where there are appropriate links, you can be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of
the syllabus.
Remember that you may come across unfamiliar material. Questions that involve unfamiliar
material are designed to test your understanding and how you apply your knowledge.
Gauge your practical abilities, to help you plan your time in the exam. For example, are you adept
at using a microscope and so likely to be quicker for this section of the exam? Or are you someone
who follows instructions and implements practicals very efficiently? Do you need more time to
draw graphs, complete tables and write responses, but are an efficient practical worker?
During the exam
Compared with other question papers, practical exams offer less flexibility, as there will be a portion
of the exam that has sequential stages to carry out. Also, students may have to share microscopes,
and this means you will be told which question to do first, with a swap-over during the exam.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2014