Introduction Exam advice What to do for a distinction If you could go into the exam with all of your textbooks, you might not get top marks. ‘How can that be?’, we hear you ask. It’s because exams are not just about knowing a set of facts – you also have to explain these facts and organise them in a meaningful way. It’s not just what you know, but how you use your knowledge. Effective description (AO1) If a description question starts with the word Identify, State or Give and is worth 1 mark, then all you have to do is provide a brief answer. Accurate knowledge is all you need for a good answer – you get 1 mark for accuracy, or zero marks if inaccurate. Questions that start with Describe or Explain require more (and are worth more marks). They need development, they require you to demonstrate you understand, possibly by giving an example. For example (see what we did there?): Question: State what is meant by the term ‘schema’. (1 mark) Answer: A schema is a mental packet of beliefs and expectations. Question: Explain what is meant by the term ‘schema’. (2 marks) Answer: A schema is a mental packet of beliefs and expectations. For example, you have a schema for trains which includes what they look like, what they are for and what happens when you want to get on or off. Effective application (AO2) Questions with a scenario test your understanding because you have to use the information you have learned to explain something new. You can only do that if you understand the concepts. Almost every sentence of your answer should be related to both the scenario and the theory/concept you are using. Effective evaluation (AO3) For effective evaluation you should do at least two of the following three things (the PET rule): • Point – state the point you wish to make (strength or weakness). • Explain/Elaborate/provide Evidence – give some substance to support the point you are making. • This suggests that… / Therefore… / This means… – end with a mini-conclusion. What does the point tell us? We have made every evaluation point in this book PET-friendly. Effective structure Examiners are human so you need to help them award you marks. You can do this by organising your answer clearly. For example, make sure sentences follow logically from each other, use paragraphs, finish one point before going on to the next. Less is more Try to cover fewer points but, with each one, provide detail, explanation, examples, etc. Don’t write everything you know and hope the sheer volume of facts will impress the examiner. They need to know that you understand it. … it’s how you use it. We’ve included some top tips to boost your revision, based on the advice on these Introduction spreads. There’s a booster on almost every spread, so there’s always something new for you to try. REVISION BOOSTERS Preparing for the exam You will sit external exams on the topics in Units 1 and 3. Exams mean revising, but the secret is that revising should happen now. Start revising as you go along. We have divided this book into spreads. Each spread represents one ‘chunk’ of the specification, shown at the top left of the spread. Context is king When you make a point of evaluation, make sure it applies to the concept, theory or scenario in the question. If your point could apply to any concept, theory or scenario, then it is a weak point. 5 Copyright: Sample material
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzc1OTg=