Exam Revision

Criterion A
i. explain scientific knowledge
ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in familiar and unfamiliar
situations
iii. analyse and evaluate information to make scientifically supported judgments.

This is going to examine your knowledge. You should be able to recall definitions of keywords, use key
terminology in answering questions and be able to apply your knowledge into abstract situations.
Examples
State the name of the organ system that carries blood
Outline the process of krebs cycle
Compare and contrast photosynthesis and respiration
Explain how bacteria have become resistant to anti-biotics
Outline the flow of blood through the heart

Criterion B
i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. formulate a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how data will be collected
iv. design scientific investigations.

This will be examining your ability to plan an investigation. You should be able to create a research
question and hypothesis, identify IV, DV and 3 CVs. Units need to be included and correct measuring
equipment.
You need to be able to write a step by step method outline how you would carry out an investigation.
Long Question
Example
Design an investigation to study how temperature is related to osmosis in potato cells. In your investigation, you
should include:
 an identification of the independent, dependent and control variables
 a hypothesis that your method will test
 how you will manipulate the variables
 a list of equipment you will use
 a description of your method
 how you will ensure your method is safe
 Marking scheme:

Short Questions
Usually you are given a description of an investigation and asked questions about it
Examples
Outline the problem (research question) being tested in this investigation
Suggest a suitable hypothesis for this investigation
State the independent variable
Identify the dependent variable
State two things which need to be controlled in the investigation
Explain how the student kept the investigation fair

Criterion C
i. present collected and transformed data
 ii. interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of the scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method
v. explain improvements or extensions to the method.

This will be examining your ability to process and evaluate data. There are 3 types of questions you could get.
1. Questions involving graphs/calculations/tables linked with data.
Example
Calculate the mean average of the data.
Present the transformed data in a graph. (Transformed data is the average you calculated)

Calculate average:
Distance Bubbles of gas/min
from T1+T2+T3+T4+T5
Trial number
light/cm 5
1 2 3 4 5 Average
Drawing graph:
10 118 89 106 114 101
Make sure you include:
20 109 99 102 95 112 Correct scale of axis, correct
30 59 60 65 54 61 choice of line/scatter/curve/bar,
labelled axis, correct plotted
40 19 22 29 31 25
points, units, title.
50 8 15 11 4 6

2. Drawing conclusions from data

Examples
State a trend in the data
Explain a scientific reason for the difference in final and initial biomass
Comment on the validity of the hypothesis based on the data

3. Evaluating a method
Examples
Based on the method presented, describe one strength and one weakness related to the method’s design.
Outline two improvements to the investigation. Justify your answer.
State an extension to this method that would benefit the investigation.

Criterion D
i. explain the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue
ii. discuss and evaluate the various implications of using science and its application to solve a specific
problem or issue
iii. apply scientific language effectively
iv. document the work of others and sources of information used.

This will be examining your ability to apply your scientific knowledge into real life situations. You will usually
get a long answer essay style question and some short answer questions.
Examples
Long Question
Consider the factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis. Discuss and evaluate the impact of farmers
manipulating the rate photosynthesis in order to increase crop growth and production. In this extended piece
of writing you should support your answer with scientific explanations considering:
 What are the factors that affect photosynthesis?
 How could these factors be manipulated?
 The impact of this on the environment and/or the economy.

Marking scheme:
1 2 3 4

Evaluation A statement A statement relating More than one More than one
relating to the to the topic statement relating to the statement relating to
topic identified in identified in the topic identified in the the topic identified in
the question question question including a the question including a
positive and negative positive and negative
impact impact and a possible
alternative where
suitable

Factor 1 A statement of More than one Positive and negative

factor impact statement of factor statements of factor
impact impacts

Factor 2 A statement of A statement of factor Positive and negative

factor impact impact with a linked statements of factor
consequence impacts with a linked
consequence.

Conclusion Appraisal given Appraisal linked to

previous impacts
giving writers
opinion

Short Questions
Justify using scientific reasoning why 2 organisms in an ecosystem are equally important to protect.
Explain, using scientific language, why the loss of one species in an ecosystem might affect another species.
Outline how one specific human action can reduce biodiversity.