İDV ÖZEL BİLKENT LABORATUAR LİSESİ

ENTRANCE EXAM STUDY

GUIDELINES

HIGH SCHOOL

2020-2021

GRADES 9-10-11
 Preparing for the BLIS High School Entrance Exams
Grade 9 ENTRANCE EXAM GUIDELINES
Grade 9 English
This 60-minute exam will assess Grade 8 English literacy skills in reading and writing. The
exam is based upon a Paper 1 Core IGCSE First Language English (0500) exam and is
modified to fit the time frame and the grade level.
The paper will be marked out of 50 points.
 25 pts for the Reading Comprehension questions (Section 1, Question 1-2)
 25 pts for the Transformation of Genre (Section 2, Question 1)

SECTION 1:
In Questions 1-2, candidates will read a text and then will be asked to define vocabulary
words, and create their own sentences, again displaying correct grammar, punctuation, etc.,
as well as understanding of what they have read. Students will also be asked short-answer
questions, displaying their ability to use complete sentences properly and demonstrating
their understanding of the passage.
SECTION 2:
In Question 1, the “Transformation of Genre” composition is an exercise in which students
are asked to compose a letter, interview, article, speech or diary entry based on the same
reading passage. The writing should answer the writing prompt, express meaning clearly, in a
style that is readable and precise, with an organized form using paragraphs, and follow correct
conventions of spelling and grammar.
*meaning is expressed clearly through proper word choice and logical
development of your answer
*style is readable and precise when your writing expresses your own unique
voice, with language suitable to the task
*conventions include proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Preparing for the exam: To prepare for this entrance exam, continue to read books written in
English, pay attention to your teachers and lessons, and practice writing different types
(articles, journals, speeches, letters), using an organizational plan, using clear handwriting,
and checking your work for errors.
Candidates are encouraged to look at past papers from Paper 1 IGCSE First Language English
(0500) exam. Past papers can be found on http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/. Please
look at old past papers (2019, 2018, etc), not the current 0500 specimen paper as the exam
structure has changed.
Alternately, candidates can look at Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint 1 past papers
from https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-
lower-secondary/assessment/cambridge-checkpoint/checkpoint-support-material/

Sample English Exam

Sample English Mark Scheme
Grade 9 Math
Mental Math
 Solve simple, but unfamiliar, problems using reasoning skills.
Numbers & Algebra
 Primes and Composites: determine whether a number is prime or composite.
 Other classifications: perfect squares, perfect cubes.
 Order of Operations
 Evaluate expressions using order of operations.
 Round to a given decimal place
 Perform arithmetic operations on fractions, decimals and integers by hand.
 Use index notation with integer powers.
 Find roots of perfect squares by hand.
 Ratio and proportion (simplification and word problems)
 Use number equivalence to convert between fraction, ratio, decimal and percent.
 Time conversions and time difference
 Find the missing term in a number pattern
 Simplify expressions involving brackets and combining like terms.
 Solving linear equations both algebraically and in word problems
 Solve linear inequalities in one variable and represent the solution on the number line
 Solve simultaneous equations by substitution and elimination.
 Factorize quadratic expressions
Geometry
 Know terms for angles e.g. right, obtuse, straight, reflex
 Know line relationships i.e. parallel, concurrent, transversal etc.
 Identify regular and irregular polygons up to eight sides
 Identify special quadrilaterals (square, rectangle, rhombus, kite, parallelogram,
trapezium)
 Types of triangles with respect to sides and angles
 The sum of interior and exterior angles of a triangle and quadrilaterals
 Use simple formulas for area and perimeter of triangles, special quadrilaterals, and
circles
 Graph a line, find points on a line, determine gradient from a graph.
 Determine coordinates of the x & y intercepts and gradient from the equation of a line
 Finding equation of a line
 Finding intersection of two lines
Statistics & Probability
 Descriptive statistics for discrete data (mean, mode, median, range)
 Interpreting Graphs and Tables: Includes pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs and tables
 Probability of simple events

Sample Math Exam

Sample Math Mark Scheme
Grade 9 Science
The science exam questions will be based on science content and skills. Our main goal in this
examination is to measure your skills in science as well as understanding of science topics.
Therefore, some questions may be related to the skills you have gained during your science
classes.
Required Skills
 Test explanations by using them to make predictions and then evaluate these against
evidence.
 Decide which measurements and observations are necessary and what equipment to
use.
 Choose the best way to present results.
 Drawing and interpreting graphs, analyzing and discussing trends, and inferring
information from the graph.
 Describe patterns (correlations) seen in results.
 Interpret results using scientific knowledge and understanding.
 Draw conclusions
 Evaluate the methods used and refine for further investigations
 Compare results and methods used by others
Content based questions
 Students will be tested for their readiness for the 8th grade science topics. Subject
areas are biology, chemistry and physics. Applicants should be familiar with the
following topics:

BIOLOGY
The learning objectives outlined in the Cambridge curriculum for Biology have been used for
developing this assessment of knowledge and skills required as a foundation for Grade 9
IGCSE Biology.
Resource: Cambridge Checkpoint Science 3, Hodder Education 2nd edition.

Variation and classification

 Show DNA structure on model
 Distinguish cell division as meiosis or mitosis by using chromosome number and cell
number emerged.
 Define sexual reproduction as the process involving the fusion of haploid nuclei to
form a diploid zygote and the production of genetically dissimilar offspring.
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction for a species.
 Describe fertilisation in terms of the joining of the nuclei of male gamete (sperm) and
the female gamete (egg).
 Understand that organisms inherit characteristics from their parents through genetic
material that is carried in cell nuclei. (Gregor Mendel experiment, Punnett square)
Living things in their environment
 Explain the ways in which living things are adapted to their habitats.
 Research the work of scientists studying the natural world (Mendel, Darwin)
 Describe how selective breeding can lead to new varieties.
CHEMISTRY
The learning objectives outlined in the Cambridge curriculum for Chemistry have been used
to develop this assessment of knowledge and skills required as a foundation for Grade 9
IGCSE Chemistry.
Resource: Cambridge Checkpoint Science 3, Hodder Education 2nd edition.
Material Properties
 Describe the structure/organization of an atom.
 Understand the main setup and conclusions of the Rutherford experiment.
 Understand the contributions of Mendeleev and Newlands to the organization of the
periodic table.
 Compare the structures of the first twenty elements of the periodic table.
 Describe trends (physical/chemical properties) down groups (atomic mass) and across
periods (metal to nonmetal transitions).

Material Changes
 Explore and explain the idea of endothermic/exothermic processes (melting of ice,
cooking, breakdown of limestone, photosynthesis, respiration, burning, oxidation).
 Preparing common salts (word equations, acids and their salts, preparing a salt from a
metal/metal carbonate and an acid).
 Rates of reaction: Understand the effects of concentration, particle size, temperature
and catalyst on rates of reaction measuring changes in mass,volume.

Lab skills
 Investigate how fuels burn: Candle and calorimeter experiment
 Preparation of Zinc Chloride and Calcium Chloride salts

PHYSICS
The learning objectives outlined in the Cambridge curriculum for Physics have been used for
developing this assessment of knowledge and skills required as a foundation for Grade 9
IGCSE Physics..

Resources: Cambridge Checkpoint Science 3, Hodder Education 2nd edition.

Past papers can be found on http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/
Turning effect of forces

 Effects of forces: recognize force may produce a change in shape or size of a body.
 Describe the turning effect of a force, recognize that increasing force or perpendicular
distance from the pivot increases the moment of a force. Calculate moment; apply
principle of moments to the balancing of a beam about a pivot.

Lab skills: Drawing graph: moment vs distance.

Density
 Determine densities of solids, liquids and gases including regular and irregularly
shaped bodies.
 Relationship between mass, volume and density, units of density : kg/m and g/cm .
3 3

Lab skills: Drawing graph: density vs volume, density vs mass and interpreting graphs.
Pressure
 Explain that pressure is caused by the action of a force on an area using appropriate
examples.
 Explain pressures in gases and liquids (qualitative only).
 Pressure is transmitted throughout the liquid; pressure acts in all directions
 Relate (without calculation) the pressure beneath a liquid surface to depth, and density
using appropriate examples.
Floating and sinking
 What determines whether something will float or sink?
 What causes things to float (i.e. what are the forces involved in floating)? Describe
the relationship between the volume of the object under water and the depth of the
water or the amount of water.

Lab skills: Drawing graphs: pressure vs depth, pressure vs density of liquid, and the
volume of the object that is under water vs density.
NOTE: A calculator, ruler, blue/black ink pens, pencils and erasers are required for the
exams.

Sample Science Exam

Sample Science Mark Scheme
Grade 9 Turkish (Only for Turkish Nationals)
TURKISH GRADE 9 / 9. SINIF TURKÇE 9.sınıfa geçiş Türkçe sınavında öğrencilerimizin
eleştirel okuma ve dil anlatım becerileri değerlendirilmektedir. Bu değerlendirme
çerçevesinde yapılacak yazılı sınavda, bir düz yazı, bir şiir olmak üzere iki metin verilecektir
ve öğrencilerimizden, bu metinlerden birini seçerek, metni çözümleyen 200-250 sözcüklük bir
deneme yazmaları beklenmektedir.
Öğrencilerin denemeleri aşağıdaki başlıklar doğrultusunda değerlendirilecektir: ANLAMA
VE YORUMLAMA: ( 25 puan)
Bu bölümde metnin anlam ve düşünce yapısının, başka bir değişle içeriğinin ne kadarının
anlaşılıp yorumlandığı ve düşüncelerin metne göndermelerle ne düzeyde ele alındığı
değerlendirilecektir.
METNİN BİÇİM ve ÜSLUP AÇISINDAN DEĞERLENDİRLMESİ: ( 25 puan)
Bu bölümde öğrenci yazıları, dili, yapısı, tekniği ve üslubu açısından ele alınarak, metnin
anlamı ve içeriğiyle bağlantılandırılması yönünden değerlendirilecektir .
DÜŞÜNCELERİN ORGANİZASYONU ve SUNUMU: ( 25 puan)
Bu bölümde düşüncelerin tutarlı ve planlı bir şekilde ifade edilip edilmediği ve sözcük
sınırına uygunluğu değerlendirilecektir.
DİL ve ANLATIM: (25puan)
Bu bölümde öğrenci yazıları, dilin kullanımı, netliği, anlaşılabilirliği, cümlelerin çeşitliliği ve
yapısı, kullanılan sözcükler ve yazı diline uygunluk açılarından değerlendirilecektir.

Örnek Türkçe Sınavı

Örnek Türkçe Değerlendirme Ölçütleri