Improving Exam Results

Preparing for GCSE exams – Tricks of the Trade

 The line drawn between
A simple fact! different grades has to be
drawn somewhere!
I know I’m good at
this subject, but I
ran out of time! I
72 A* got 65.
66 A
60 B
54 C
48 D
42 E
36 F
30 G

One mark may make

all the difference!
 Improving on your exam
technique could make the
difference of one mark.
Every year each exam board
produces a report on the
performance of students. Part of
the report highlights failings in
terms of exam technique.
 Immediately after certificates are
issued, each school receives advice
from the exam board. Part of the
advice is on improving exam
technique.

This presentation summarises the advice given over a

number of years. The advice goes across all subjects.
Let’s start with the basics .......................RUBRIC!

Rubric refers to organisational aspects of the exam paper, issues

such as ..……..

 The numbering and lettering system used on the exam paper.

 The information required on the front cover of the exam paper
 Writing extended answers in additional space.

What could possibly go wrong in respect to Rubric?

You need to know that most examiners
are teachers. They have already
completed a full days work at school
before they begin their marking!

Faced with as many as 400 exam scripts to

mark, in a three-week period…….

…… most start work in the early evening

and work late.

It could be your script which is being marked at the end of a

long evening. Keep the examiner on your side by following
rubric rules. The next slide illustrates the issue ……………………
A
Answers like this make
(a)
examiners tear their hair
i) What is the capital of England?
out….
ii) Which part of England is it located in?
Follow the rubric and keep
(b)
examiners on your side
i) Name two other large cities in England
ii) Describe the location of one of them.

London in the south-east.

Manchester and Birmingham are
in the Midlands.
A
(a)
i) London
ii) In the south-east
(b)
i) Manchester and Birmingham
ii) Birmingham is in the Midlands
A
(a) If you really want to annoy
i) What is the capital of England? the examiner…..
ii) Which part of England is it located in?
…… change the rubric!!
(b)
i) Name two other large cities in England
ii) Describe the location of one of them.

A
1) London
2) In the south-east
3) Manchester and Birmingham
4) Birmingham is in the Midlands

Examiners are only human. Keep them

on your side. It could mean the
difference of one mark!
Running out of time in the exam
Each exam paper provides you with a different challenge in terms of time
keeping. No doubt your teacher will offer you advice in this respect.
Running out of time is probably the main problem for candidates who aspire
to a grade A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can learn the most basic

time-keeping lesson of all........

Don’t
repeat the
question!

Q: How far does the traveller have to go before reaching Nairobi?

A: The traveller has to go 10 kms before reaching Nairobi.

A: 10 kms.
Still on the theme of optimising time…..

How much should I write?

Part of the answer to this

issue is to look at the
number of marks
available.

A question worth only

two marks…… “Describe
the bones in the human
foot”…….

….should have a brief

answer…. There are a large number ✔
 Those near the toes look small ✔
A question worth three marks……………..

….” Describe changes in

world population”….

…. is likely to have a
longer answer, perhaps
with three strands in it…..

1000 – 1750 The population was rising slowly ✔

1750 – 2000 The population went up rapidly ✔
The figure is now over 6 billion people ✔
At the risk of labouring the point. Use the number of marks
available as a guide to how much to write.

Describe the
changes on
the diagram.

For two The creature has less hair ✔

marks………….
The creature gets taller ✔

The creature has less hair ✔

For four The creature gets taller ✔
marks………….
The creature gets more upright ✔
It changes from ape to a human being ✔
Command Words Evaluate Explain
Compare
Describe
List Identify
Analyse
Relax, describe questions are relatively easy as
Describe long as you remember that the examiners are
only asking you to state what you can see (on a
photo, a diagram, a graph etc.)

These questions are harder, you will have to

Explain show your understanding by giving reasons for
something.

Every year, very able students waste valuable seconds

by explaining something, when the COMMAND WORD
simply asks them to describe something.
 Describe conditions…..
The houses are crowded ✔
The houses are close to
railway tracks ✔

How would an able student, with

poor exam technique, waste their
time when answering this
question?
Explain how conditions caused poor health…….

Reason 1: Crowded houses means disease spreads

easily ✔
Reason 2: The smoke from the trains makes you ill ✔
 Explain, giving two reasons (2
marks)
Reason 1: Crowded houses means
disease spreads easily ✔
Reason 2: The smoke from the
trains makes you ill ✔

Explain, giving two reasons (4 marks)

Reason 1: Crowded houses means disease is easy to

spread ✔ If you get a disease such as Typhoid,
you can die ✔
Reason 2: The smoke from the trains makes you ill ✔
The soot gets into your lungs and it’s difficult to
breathe ✔
Another example, this time in Maths, where the
need to actually EXPLAIN is often forgotten!

Q: Explain why angle PQR = 34°

 Q: Explain why angle PQR = 34°
The candidates are expected
to write a sentence to
explain how the angle is
measured at 34°.
Yes, you sometimes need to
write sentences in Maths
exams!!

ANS: “It should add up to a right angle”.... would not get

the mark as the explanation does not give enough detail! ...
What should add up to a right angle??
ANS: “RQT is measured at 56°, PQT is a right angle
(90°), so 90 – 56 = 34°” .... would get the mark as the
candidate has explained the rationale √
List two positive and
“This is a good beat to work. People are very friendly and
serious crime is not very common. However, I am
disappointed by the increase in nuisance crimes such as

two negative ….. graffiti and petty vandalism.

I often have to deal with complaints about large groups of

youths being noisy at night, I suppose it’s because there’s
very little for teenagers to do in the evenings around here. A
growing problem is the dangerous on-road parking now that
families often have two cars”

Serious crime is not common, people are friendly,

youths are a nuisance and graffiti is a problem.

Positive Negative

People are friendly Youths are a

nuisance
Serious crime is Graffiti is getting
rare worse
Compare…..

In the USA the number of people living in cities is

higher than in China
In the USA you live until you are 76, whereas in China
you only live until you are 58.

Use comparative words! Don’t just list the differences

between the two countries!
“whilst” “however” “worse” “higher”

“whereas” “on the other hand” “better” “lower”

 Evaluate is one of the most difficult command words, it is
often used in English exams

Expect to give an extended answer

You will be expected to give an opinion
Expect to “weigh up” the pros and cons
or the strengths and weaknesses of the
information which has been provided.
Use phrases like ……..

In my opinion … I think this because….

On the other hand, you could argue that ……

The most important thing that influenced me was ….
When you are asked to Analyse and Evaluate, this is as
hard as it gets at GCSE level

You will need to fall back on the specific

advice given by your subject teacher.

Ensure that this is an important part of

your revision.

Look back at the feedback you have

received after completing mock
exam papers or extended essays /
assignments
 An example taken from Art............

Art Exam Theme 2009

25% of marks for the

exam will be allocated
to Assessment
Objective 2

“analyse and evaluate

images, objects and
artefacts showing
understanding and
context”
Where is the focal point of the
painting and how does the artist
lead your eye to this area?
What evidence is there of
symbolism in the work why do you
think the artist has used these
images?
Describe the atmosphere/mood of
the painting and explain how the
artist has used colour and tonal
contrast to achieve this.
Is the style of the painting:
realistic, abstract, semi-abstract
or stylised? What evidence can
you see to support your choice?
…. and finally…. … don’t throw away easy marks
Remember: The line drawn between different grades
has to be drawn somewhere!
I didn’t read the
question carefully.
I think I’ve blown
it!!!

72 A*
66 A
60 B I got 65.

54 C
48 D
42 E
36 F
30 One
G mark may make all the difference, so
don’t throw it away. Here is an example…
 Identify three hazards in this kitchen [6]
(5) When you are asked
to provide information
from a drawing or a
photograph, examiners
often report lazy
answers!
> There is a boiling pot.
> There are leads across the floor
> The kettle lead is near water in the
sink.

The question is embarrassingly easy, but notice that the question

is worth 6 marks. You can’t afford a lazy answer, despite the
ease of the question!

The boiling pot on the stove is near the front of the cooker. It could easily
be touched or knocked over by a child, causing serious burns.

 What would you say to further develop the other answers given above?
 Good luck in the summer

Life is not a rehearsal, so prepare well

and don’t leave revision to the last
minute

I’m sure you will all

be successful
 Preparing for GCSE exams –
Tricks of the Trade

? ? Any Questions ? ?