WJEC Biology for A2: Student Bk

The examinations The AS qualification has two written examinations and the A Level qualification has these two and three others, the third of which has both practical and written components. Their structure is described in the table below. No more than 10% of marks in a single paper will test simple recall (AO1). Most of the marks are awarded for the skills developed in application of scientific ideas (AO2) and analysis, interpretation and evaluation (AO3), as explained above. You are expected to be able to link different parts of the specification together: there will be a small number of marks in each paper that require you to refer to information or concepts from other parts of the specification. Unit Unit title Structure Exam Length Marks % of total 1 Basic biochemistry and cell organisation Short and longer questions, some in a practical context; one extended response. 1 h 30 mins 80 20 2 Biodiversity and physiology of body systems Short and longer questions, some in a practical context; one extended response. 1 h 30 mins 80 20 3 Energy homeostasis and the environment Short and longer questions, some in a practical context; one extended response. 2 hours 90 25 4 Variation, inheritance and options Section A Short and longer questions, some in a practical context; one extended response. 2 hours 70 25 Section B Choice of one option out of three; short and longer questions. 20 5 Practical examination Experimental task 2 hours 20 10 Practical analysis task 1 hour 30 Examination questions As well as being able to recall biological facts, name structures and describe their functions, you need to appreciate the underlying principles of the subject and understand associated concepts and ideas. In other words, you need to develop skills so that you can apply what you have learned, perhaps to situations not previously encountered. You may be asked to inter-convert numerical data and graph form, analyse and evaluate numerical data or written biological information, interpret data and explain experimental results. The mark value at the end of each part of each question and the number of lines provided for you to write on are useful guides as to the amount of information required in the answer. You will be expected to answer different styles of question, for example: ▪ Short answer questions: these require a simple calculation or a brief answer, e.g. the name of a structure and its function, for one mark. ▪ Structured questions: these have several parts, usually about a common theme, which become more difficult as you work your way through. Structured questions can be short, requiring a brief response, or may include the opportunity for extended writing. The number of lines provided indicates the length of answer expected. The mark allocations at the end of each part of the question are there to help you: if three marks are allocated, you must give three separate points. ▪ Extended prose questions: each examination paper will contain one question, worth nine marks, which requires extended prose for its answer. This is not an essay and so does not require the structure of introduction – body – conclusion. Often candidates rush into such questions. You should take time to read carefully, to discover exactly what the examiner requires in the answer, and then construct a plan. This will not only help you organise your thoughts logically but will also give you a checklist to which you can refer when writing your answer. In this way you will be less likely to repeat yourself, wander off the subject or omit important points. You may wish to use diagrams to clarify your answer, but if you do, make sure they are well drawn and fully annotated. For 7–9 marks, you should provide most of the relevant factual information with clear scientific reasoning; 4–6 marks will be awarded if there are significant omissions and 1–3 marks if there is little factual recall and few valid points. In the highest band of marks, a piece of writing that answers the question directly, using well-constructed sentences and suitable biological terminology, addressing all three Assessment Objectives will be awarded 9 marks. But the same information with poor spelling, grammar or waffle, will only merit 7 marks. Introduction 7