Sample exam questions - cell biology
Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.
Multiple choice questions are perhaps the easiest to complete - you simply put a cross in a box - however, the questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. Don't make the mistake of reading the first answer and thinking this is correct without checking all the others.
If it says 'Tick one box', you must tick one box. If you leave it blank or tick two or more boxes you will get zero marks. These multiple choice questions will not start with command words like 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'. They will be written in the form of a question like 'What...?' or 'Why...?'.
There will be more multiple choice questions on the Foundation paper.
One- and two-mark questions will start with command words such as 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'. Some command words are easy to understand such as:
'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
'Complete...' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
'Define...' to give the meaning of an important word
'Suggest...' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'Describe...' and 'Explain...' can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge, not just say what you see (which is a description), eg The graph shows a steep linear increase for the first three hours because…
Explain how and why questions often have the word 'because' in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [2 marks]. It is essential that you give two different answers if a question is worth two marks. Sometimes you can gain a second mark by giving the units in a calculation or stating specific data points, eg the mass of the plant tissue decreased by 2 g.
You will be expected to write in more depth for three- and four-mark questions. They might ask you about a process such as cloning or compare differences, such as with microscopes.
Three- and four-mark questions usually require longer answers.
The answers here give lists of valid points that could be included in your answer. In your answers in an exam, it is important that you do not bullet point them, but link your ideas together.
Maths questions often start with the command words 'Calculate...' or 'Determine...'. They will then have a blank space for you to show your working. It is important that you show your working, don’t just write the answer down. Calculation errors carried forward are worked through to give credit for later working.
In some maths questions you will be required to give the units. This may earn you an additional mark. Don't forget to check whether you need to do this. Take extra care when converting between units.
Maths questions might include graphs and tables as well as calculations. Don’t forget to take a ruler and scientific calculator.
If drawing graphs, make sure you:
put the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis
construct regular scales for the axes
label the axes appropriately
plot each point accurately
draw a straight or curved line of best fit
If you are asked to calculate an answer and it has lots of decimal places, don't forget to only use one more than the data in the question. For example, if whole numbers are given in the question, then your answer would be to one decimal place. Don't forget to check your rounding.
You will complete required practical activities if you are studying GCSE science. You could be asked questions about the apparatus, methods, safety precautions, results, analysis and evaluation of these experiments.
There will be a number of different types of practical based questions. Some will be on the set required practicals, some will cover the working scientifically terms and some will be on other science practicals which you might have done in class. Use all the information given in the question particularly any diagrams to help you understand what the question is about.
Six-mark questions are often the questions that people find the most difficult. In all longer answer questions, but especially the six-mark ones, it is important that you plan your answer and not just rush into it. After all, you would plan an essay or short story before starting. Without a plan it is easy to stray away from the key point and lose marks, get steps in a process in the wrong order or forget key bits of information. Remember to write your answer in full sentences, not bullet points.
Six-mark questions will start with command words such as 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'.
Some command words are easy to understand such as:
'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
'Choose...' for multiple choice questions
'Complete...' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
'Define...' to give the meaning of an important word
'Suggest...' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'Describe...' and 'Explain...' can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge not just say what you see (which is a description), eg The graph shows the pH of milk decreases. It does this because...
Explain how and why questions often have the word ‘because’ in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [6 marks]. It is essential that you give as many different points in your answer as possible (ideally six), linking these together.
Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.
Multiple choice questions are perhaps the easiest to complete - you simply put a cross in a box - however, the questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. Don't make the mistake of reading the first answer and thinking this is correct without checking all the others.
If it says 'Tick one box', you must tick one box. If you leave it blank or tick two or more boxes you will get zero marks. These multiple choice questions will not start with command words like 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'. They will be written in the form of a question like 'What...?' or 'Why...?'.
There will be more multiple choice questions on the Foundation paper.
One- and two-mark questions will start with command words such as 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'. Some command words are easy to understand such as:
'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
'Complete...' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
'Define...' to give the meaning of an important word
'Suggest...' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'Describe...' and 'Explain...' can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge, not just say what you see (which is a description), eg The graph shows a steep linear increase for the first three hours because…
Explain how and why questions often have the word 'because' in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [2 marks]. It is essential that you give two different answers if a question is worth two marks. Sometimes you can gain a second mark by giving the units in a calculation or stating specific data points, eg the mass of the plant tissue decreased by 2 g.
You will be expected to write in more depth for three- and four-mark questions. They might ask you about a process such as cloning or compare differences, such as with microscopes.
Three- and four-mark questions usually require longer answers.
The answers here give lists of valid points that could be included in your answer. In your answers in an exam, it is important that you do not bullet point them, but link your ideas together.
Maths questions often start with the command words 'Calculate...' or 'Determine...'. They will then have a blank space for you to show your working. It is important that you show your working, don’t just write the answer down. Calculation errors carried forward are worked through to give credit for later working.
In some maths questions you will be required to give the units. This may earn you an additional mark. Don't forget to check whether you need to do this. Take extra care when converting between units.
Maths questions might include graphs and tables as well as calculations. Don’t forget to take a ruler and scientific calculator.
If drawing graphs, make sure you:
put the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis
construct regular scales for the axes
label the axes appropriately
plot each point accurately
draw a straight or curved line of best fit
If you are asked to calculate an answer and it has lots of decimal places, don't forget to only use one more than the data in the question. For example, if whole numbers are given in the question, then your answer would be to one decimal place. Don't forget to check your rounding.
You will complete required practical activities if you are studying GCSE science. You could be asked questions about the apparatus, methods, safety precautions, results, analysis and evaluation of these experiments.
There will be a number of different types of practical based questions. Some will be on the set required practicals, some will cover the working scientifically terms and some will be on other science practicals which you might have done in class. Use all the information given in the question particularly any diagrams to help you understand what the question is about.
Six-mark questions are often the questions that people find the most difficult. In all longer answer questions, but especially the six-mark ones, it is important that you plan your answer and not just rush into it. After all, you would plan an essay or short story before starting. Without a plan it is easy to stray away from the key point and lose marks, get steps in a process in the wrong order or forget key bits of information. Remember to write your answer in full sentences, not bullet points.
Six-mark questions will start with command words such as 'Describe...' or 'Explain...'.
Some command words are easy to understand such as:
'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
'Choose...' for multiple choice questions
'Complete...' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
'Define...' to give the meaning of an important word
'Suggest...' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'Describe...' and 'Explain...' can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge not just say what you see (which is a description), eg The graph shows the pH of milk decreases. It does this because...
Explain how and why questions often have the word ‘because’ in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [6 marks]. It is essential that you give as many different points in your answer as possible (ideally six), linking these together.
