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Examination techniques and tips for Stage 6 Biology

[Updated: 17 November 2003]

• Knowing the structure of the examination
• Studying for the examination
• Planning your approach to the examination
• Answering questions well
• Drawing diagrams
• Preparing your equipment

Knowing the structure of the examination

HSC examination papers are produced in accordance with the Board’s Principles for Setting HSC Examinations in a Standards-Referenced Framework, first published in Board Bulletin Volume 8 Number 9 (Nov/Dec 1999), page 7 ( PDF file ). Questions are closely related to the outcomes of the course, and the paper as a whole is structured to allow for the appropriate differentiation of student performance at all levels on the performance scale.

The Stage 6 Biology examination is a three hour examination. There is an additional five minutes reading time.

The examination has two sections:

Section I has questions based on the core, to a total value of 75 marks. The section is organised as follows:

• Part A, with a value of 15 marks. The questions will be of the multiple-choice type, worth one mark each. All questions are compulsory. A multiple-choice answer sheet will be provided.
• Part B, with a value of 60 marks. The questions will be of the short-answer and extended-response type. All questions are compulsory. Marks for individual questions will be shown on the examination paper. One or more question booklets will be provided and you are required to answer the questions in the spaces provided in the booklet(s).

Section I examines work from the following modules:

• 9.2 Maintaining a balance
• 9.3 Blueprint of life
• 9.4 The search for better health

Section II has questions based on the options of the syllabus, to a total value of 25 marks.

The examination has five questions offered in this section, one for each the following modules:

• 9.5 Communication
• 9.6 Biotechnology
• 9.7 Genetics: The code broken?
• 9.8 The human story
• 9.9 Biochemistry.

Candidates must attempt only ONE of these questions.

The questions will be of the short-answer and extended-response type. Each question may consist of several parts. Marks for individual parts will be shown on the examination paper. A writing booklet will be provided. Additional writing booklets will be available if you require them.

In relation to the structure of the sections of the examination, candidates should be aware that:

• there are a variety of question types. Some questions have parts while others ask a single question that requires an integrated response. Together, these question types provide candidates with opportunities to demonstrate a range of skills across different levels of the performance scale
• the number of questions and the marks allocated to each question in Part B, and the number of parts and the marks allocated to each part in the Option questions, may vary from year to year
• all question parts are out of whole marks. This will assist candidates in determining the relative value of questions and parts, and in allocating their time appropriately
• the number of Part B Answer Booklets and the number of questions to be answered in each Answer Booklet may vary from year to year.

Studying for the examination

Use the syllabus to guide your revision. A copy of the relevant syllabus, amended October 2002, is available from the Board of Studies web site.

It is a good idea to practise using the past papers for the 2001 and 2002 HSC Biology examinations. Notes from the marking centre (including marking criteria) are available from the same sites. Note that a small number of the questions in these papers are no longer applicable to the syllabus as amended in October 2002.

 

Planning your approach to the examination

You should invest at least 300 hours at school and at home, and possibly up to 600 hours, in studying HSC Biology. You have three hours to show the examiners what you know and understand. Use those three hours as effectively as possible.

Prior to the examination you need to think about how you will approach it.

It may be useful to consider the time available for each section. Based on marks and time available, you should allow 1.8 minutes per mark. The Board of Studies suggests that you allow about:

• 30 minutes for Part A in Section I
• 1 hour and 45 minutes for Part B in Section I
• 45 minutes for Section II.

Some candidates find it useful to work through the paper from start to finish. Others may like to answer the sections with which they feel most familiar and so may attempt their elective question first. Discuss your approach with your teacher.

As you work through the examination, answer the questions you can do most easily first, then go back and do the more difficult questions. Allow time to go through all your answers in the final half hour so you can correct minor errors and ensure that you have answered all parts.

Answering questions well

Be careful to only give the type of response requested in the question. It is expected that students have a clear understanding of key words in questions, such as discuss, analyse, and explain. These words will be used consistently in accordance with the glossary, published in the Board’s Assessment Support Document in 1999.

Statements that do not answer the question asked, even if they may be correct in another context, will not score marks. Don’t provide multiple answers in the hope that one might be correct. Check also that you haven’t answered merely by rewording information given in the question. Be careful not to provide any information that contradicts worthwhile information you wrote earlier. A contradiction cancels out the mark you might otherwise have been awarded.
Use the mark allocation (about one and a half minutes per mark) and the amount of space provided in the core answer book as a guide to how much you should write or draw. The space provided is more than that needed to obtain full marks.

Carefully answer the question asked rather than write a prepared response to a keyword.

The General Instructions on the specimen paper state the following:

• Write using blue or black pen.
• Draw diagrams using pencil.

If you make a mistake, do not waste time using white correction fluid. Clearly cross out what you do not want the examiner to mark and rewrite your answer.

Drawing diagrams

Generally, it is best to draw simple two-dimensional line diagrams. Unless specifically requested, there is usually no need to draw diagrams in three-dimensions. If a labelled diagram is asked for, you must label the critical parts. The labelling line from a label should touch the named part.

Make sure you draw the diagram and labels in pencil as mistakes can be easily rubbed out.

It is a good idea to use a diagram where you think it clarifies an answer you are providing. Keep diagrams simple. If an answer is worth two marks, spend about three minutes of your time on the answer, including your diagram.

Preparing your equipment

Be sure you organise all equipment needed for the examination well in advance and check that it is in good order. Make sure you have spare pens and sharp pencils, and a range of suitable measuring and drawing equipment. Measurements, diagrams and graphs are common elements in Biology examinations.

Board-approved calculators may be used in the examination. Check your calculator is functioning correctly, has fresh batteries and that you are very familiar with any operations needed for the course.