WJEC Biology for A2 Level: Revision Workbook

Assessment objectives Examination questions are written to reflect the assessment objectives (AOs) as laid out in the specification. The three main skills that you must develop are: AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues. In both written examinations you will also be assessed on your: ⦁ Mathematical skills (minimum of 10%) ⦁ Practical skills (minimum of 15%) ⦁ Ability to select, organise and communicate information and ideas coherently using appropriate scientific conventions and vocabulary. These are indicated against each topic question together with mathematical skills (M) and practical skills (P) where they occur. In any one question, you are likely to be assessed on all skills to some degree. It is important to remember that only about a third of the marks are for direct recall of facts. You will need to apply your knowledge, too. If this is something you find hard, practise as many past paper questions as you can. Many examples come up in slightly different forms from one year to another. Your practical skills will be developed during class-time sessions and will be assessed in the examination papers. These could include: ⦁ Plotting graphs ⦁ Identifying controlled variables and suggesting appropriate control experiments ⦁ Analysing data and drawing conclusions ⦁ Evaluating methods and procedures and suggesting improvements. Understanding AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding You will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. Approximately 27% of the available marks set on the A2 exam papers are for recall of knowledge and understanding. Common command words used here are: state, name, describe, explain. This involves recall of ideas, processes, techniques and procedures detailed in the specification. This is content you should know. A good answer is one that uses detailed biological terminology accurately and has both clarity and coherence. If you were asked to describe and explain how electrophoresis produced the results seen in a gel, you might write: ‘DNA moves towards the positive electrode through the gel. Smaller fragments move further.’ This is a basic answer. A good answer needs to be more detailed. For example, ‘DNA is attracted to the positive electrode due to the negative charge on its phosphate groups. Smaller fragments find it easier to migrate through the pores in the gel and so travel further than larger fragments during the same time. The size of fragment can be estimated by running a DNA ladder which contains fragments of known size alongside the sample.’ Introduction | 5 Copyright: Sample material