Getting exam ready

Top tips in how to prepare in the run up to

the GCSE exams and how to maximise

marks on the day.

Aiming for the Stars in GCSE Maths

Meaning a/b/c/d

1. Opprobrium

2. Ephemeral

3. Desiccate

4. Pugnacious

5. Maladroit

Quiz 1

Vocabulary

Quiz 2

Subject Terminology

Meaning 1. Anaphora

2. Dysphemism

3. Stative verb

4. Hypophora

5. Parataxis

Quiz

3

Wid

e r

ange o

f p

unctu

ation

Getting revision ready

Nine nifty revision techniques

Fill the gap Go back through your books and start to identify any gaps in your work – use your checklists from your teachers and respond to all those star questions and EBI that your teacher has set for you. These tasks are designed to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

Quiz As you go through your notes write a multiple choice quiz of 15 questions linked to the topic. Using the specification (spec check) may help with this. Writing these questions will allow you to recap the key aspects of what will come up and remind you what needs to be covered. You can complete the quiz the next time you revise to see how much you remember.

Flash cards These are a useful tool for keywords, concepts and processes. On one side of the card write or draw the keyword or concept and then on the reverse write a definition or explanation. Use these cards to test yourself or your friends. Quizlet allows you to create these electronically.

Exam Question Creator Take on the role of the examiner and write your own exam questions and mark schemes. Using command words such as identify, describe, explain, compare, examine, assess and evaluate – along with the specification – write 1,2,4,6,8,12 mark questions. Also use your notes to create a mark scheme bullet pointing what needs to be included.

Cramming cube An alternative to flash cards could be a cramming cube. Using a cube outline identify six key aspects linked to the topic. These could be keywords, processes, concepts or exam questions.

Venn diagram or Comparison alley This is an excellent technique for comparing two places or processes. Simply draw a diagonal ‘alley’ across your flash card or your page – on either side of the ‘alley’ write down features/characteristics which are unique to the place/process and in the alley way list the similarities.

Picture it Read through a chunk of text and transform it into a series of pictures. This could be a visual set of prompts for an extended question. You can use numbers, arrows, emojis, flags or other icons. See if someone else can decode your pictures and answer the question.

Concept map and revision clocks Develop a concept map or mind map for an entire topic. This can be structured under key headings. Combine key trigger words and illustrations to provide an overview.

Practise, practise, practise Past papers may not seem the most exciting way to revise but they are actually really helpful in developing exam technique such as pace and for getting used to the structure of the paper. Remember – exam reports show that pupils that highlight command and keywords and plan for the extended questions, perform better.

Examples of high tariff questions from across the curriculum

Science: Use ideas about structure and bonding to explain the

similarities and differences between the properties of carbon dioxide

and silicon dioxide. [6 marks]

History: Has the role of the individual been the main factor in

developing the treatment of disease in Britain? Explain your answer

with reference to the role of the individual and other factors. Use a

range of examples from across your study of Health and the people:

c1000 to the present day. [16 marks] [SPaG 4 marks]

Geography: The worldwide economic impacts of climate change are

more concerning than the environmental impacts.’ To what extent do

you agree with this statement? [8 marks]

RP: (d) “It is a woman's right to choose abortion.” [15 marks] Discuss

the statement showing that you have considered more than one point

of view. (You must refer to religious and non-religious beliefs, such as

those held by Humanists and Atheists, in your answer.)

Business Studies: Evaluate the likely impact on Sainsbury’s of replacing

Fairtrade with its own Fairly Traded scheme. You should use the

information provided as well as your knowledge of business. [12

marks]

Drama: You are performing the role of Mickey. Describe how you

would use your acting skills to interpret Mickey’s character. Explain

why your ideas are appropriate for: this extract and your performance

of your role in the play overall. [20 marks]

Music: Evaluate how effectively Beethoven and Handel write for solo

keyboards and exploit the use of rhythm and temp in these two

extracts. [12 marks]

Music Technology: Evaluate the suitability of different types of

microphones for recording the drum kit in a recording studio. [8 marks]

Command words

Read

Plan

Scan

• Read the question carefully. Deconstruct it and rewrite it in your own words if necessary.

• Identify the command words and also the subject specific terminology.

• Look at the marks available as an indicator of time available.

• Make a few bullet points on what you need to include or the specific knowledge that you need to build into this answer.

• Work through the plan and allow it to act as a prompt or memory booster for when you are in full flow.

• Once you have written the first part of your answer, using your plan, scan back over what you have written – are you still answering the question or are you drifting off point?

• Don’t wait till the very end to scan. It will also help you avoid waffle.

High tariff questions and top tips from teachers

History Has the role of the individual been the main factor in developing the treatment of disease in Britain? Explain your answer with reference to the role of the individual and other factors. Use a range of examples from across your study of Health and the people: c1000 to the present day. [16 marks] [SPaG 4 marks] Tips:

Make sure that you have discussed at least 2 factors but ideally 3. Make sure that you have discussed the long term and short term impacts of a

range of discoveries. Make sure that in your conclusion you have answered the question showing a well

explained judgement AND that you have said how the factors are linked together. If you are running out of time prioritise your conclusion.

Read the question carefully and ensure you have used link sentences at the start and end of every paragraph.

Make sure that you check your work carefully- remember there are 4 marks for SPAG available on this question.

‘The bombing of Hiroshima destroyed the chance for a good relationship between East and West after the Second World War.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer (16 marks + 4 SPaG) Tips:

Discuss three factors

Make sure you explain each factor fully using “this meant that...”

Make sure that you have discussed the long term and short term impacts

Use link sentences which show judgement at the end of every paragraph.

Reach a supported conclusion. In the conclusion you must make sure that you link

factors together/ explain the relationship between factors. Geography The worldwide economic impacts of climate change are more concerning than the environmental impacts.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? (8 marks)

Have a clear criteria for decision making questions Plan your answer before writing using bullet points e.g. for and against Pick 3/4 main points and double develop these rather than explaining more points in

limited detail

Drama Tips 1. Making a point – decided on a definitive interpretation: what is the character like? 2. Knowing the play – choose at least 2 examples of other scenes in the play to justify

your point 3. Description – describe the acting you would do (MPGIAVFE)

Music Technology- Tips To perform well on this question pupils need to have a good understanding of the difference between a condensor microphone and a dynamic microphone. They need to then apply these to the recording situation. The question mentions specific drums so the question is asking, what mic for what drum and why.

Music - Tips

Only talk about what the question asks – in this case it is rhythm and tempo (so don’t write about use of texture)

Write about both pieces equally

Key musical vocabulary

Evidence what you are talking about (what bar)

For each point – evaluate why the composer how done this – you can use your opinion ‘I think Beethoven’s use of triplets is more effective because…’

Show off you knowledge of the context (eras and styles)

Business studies Three Top Tips Evaluate the likely impact on Sainsbury’s of replacing Fairtrade with its own Fairly Traded

scheme. You should use the information provided as well as your knowledge of business. [12

marks]

1) Read all of the case study carefully (and any extra data/information in the following questions), highlighting key points and key information you can bring in to the answers as context - this is essential for the higher marks. 2) Be sure to write clearly, concisely and using the following structure:

PEEE X2 or PEEEEE (five strands - or linked explanations using connectives AND context)

This is then repeated for the counter argument - balance is needed. Conclusion - giving your opinion on what the business should do and why e.g. 'it

depends on', 'they should consider', 'in the short term' etc.

3) Give balance and/or attach value to the points you are making, This shows your ability to weigh up reasons and make judgements about how important or likely it is. You can do this by explaining why one option might be more or less important or by including a judgement as to which of the 2 options is the most important and why. Consider what this depends on.

RP From Component 1 (d) “It is a woman's right to choose abortion.” [15] Discuss the statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religious and non-religious beliefs, such as those held by Humanists and Atheists, in your answer.) You will need to include key terminology, make reference to religious texts and then the different religious perspectives (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Reform Jew N.B. Humanist/Atheist in this question only). It is important to give an introduction and conclusion. A very brief essay plan is important.

IT/Computing 1) Plan your answer

Read the question carefully – pay particular attention to the command word used and the context of the question. Jot down a list of technical terms you could use. Think about appropriate examples you could incorporate. Decide how you are going to structure your answer – what paragraphs will you need.

2) Put your points in order so that you can present them in a logical and clear way For example: if you are addressing positive and negative points, you may want to start by writing your 3 positive points followed by your 3 negative points Or you could write them in pairs; for every negative point you write it will be followed by a positive. 3) Consider how to link your points together- To make your answer ‘flow’ you should include connectives between paragraphs or points. 4) If you are asked to discuss both sides of an argument present a balanced discussion Present an equal number of points to support both sides of an argument. Try to include both positive and negative aspects where appropriate. 5) Remember the context of the question The examples you use to support your descriptions should be relevant to the context of the question. Example: “Databases can be queried to find information” would be better written as “The video shop manager could create a query to search for all overdue customer rentals.”