Exam Walk-Through

A2 Biology Unit 3
Summer 2019
 What you should have in front of you:

• A copy of the exam paper

• A pen, pencil, ruler and a calculator
• A highlighter pen
 What this exam paper is all about:

• This paper is from Summer 2019.

• It is testing GCE Biology unit 3
• The paper is made up of 7 questions
worth a total of 90 marks.
• The exam is 2 hours long.
 What should I do first?

1. Read the front cover of the exam paper.

 What should I do first?

1. Read the front cover of the exam paper.

 General points on exam technique
• Read through the whole question before starting to
answer. This will help you understand what is
required of you.
• Use a highlighter to pick out key words.
• Look at the command words and the number of
marks available for each question, they will help
you decide how much detail is needed.
• If a word is bold it is important.
• Keep your exam paper open at the double page
spread, do not fold it in half.
• Read your answers to check they make sense.
Question 1a
Question 1b (i) (ii)
Question 1b (iii)
Question 1c
 How do I tackle Question 1?

• For part (a), make sure you pay attention to the units
that are given in the information and the units that
you have been asked to provide your answer in.
• Pay attention to the number of marks that are
available for each question. If there are two marks,
you need to have two clear points in your answer.
• Part (b)(ii) is asking for the class of biological molecule
so the answer needs to be a broad group of biological
molecules.
• In part (b)(iii) take note that the question asks for the
answer in standard form. If you do not give your
answer in standard form, you will lose a mark.
 How do I tackle Question 1?

• There are two parts to part (c) (i). Firstly, suggest what
would happen to the rate of oxygen consumption and
secondly, explain your answer. There are 4 marks for
this question; 1 for suggesting what would happen to
the rate and 3 marks for explaining why. With this in
mind, make sure you include enough detail in your
answer.
Question 1 – marking scheme
Question 2
Question 2a
Question 2b
 How do I tackle Question 2?

• For part (a)(ii) make sure you know which value on

the diagram represents the energy that has been
fixed by photosynthesis.
• Look at the picture for part (b) as well as reading the
text, it should make it easier to visualise the strip
felling method. This is an application question so even
though you might not have been taught about strip
felling, you should be able to apply your knowledge of
the consequences of deforestation to answer the
question.
• Part (b) is worth 4 marks so you might find it easier to
structure your answer with bullet points.
Question 2 – marking scheme
Question 3a
Question 3b (i)
Question 3b (ii)
Question 3b (iii) (iv)
 How do I tackle Question 3?

• Take your time when reading part (a) and make sure
you are careful when substituting into equations.
• In part (b)(i) take care when describing the dilution
method and make sure the method you use would
actually produce a 10-5 dilution.
• There are 3 marks in (b)(ii). Stating the plate will gain
1 mark and explaining why the other plates cannot be
used will gain 2 marks. Be specific with your language.
• Part (b)(iii) has given you a clue in saying that the
bacterium is pathogenic – use this in your answer.
• Look at the number of marks for part (b)(iv). There
are 2 marks so you need to describe 2 features.
Question 3 – marking scheme
Question 4a
Question 4a (i) (ii) (iii)
Question 4a (iv) (v) (vi)
Question 4b
Question 4b (i) (ii)
Question 4c
 How do I tackle Question 4?

• This is a practical question so when reading the stem

of the question, try to identify the key variables.
• Read the information you are given carefully as it can
stop you making mistakes in your answer like in part
(a)(ii)
• Be specific in your use of language and use biological
vocabulary.
• Learning key definitions is useful as shown in part (a)
(vi)
• Think about how the stem and the information given
link to the question that has been asked.
Question 4 – marking scheme
Question 4 – marking scheme
Question 5
Question 5
Question 5a
Question 5
Question 5b (i) (ii)
Question 5c
Question 5d
 How do I tackle Question 5?

• Take your time when reading the information on page

16. You need to understand this for all of the
questions in part (a) which adds up to 5 marks. The
diagram is just as important as the text.
• Look for clues in questions. Part (b)(i) asks about
reliable data so think about how you make sampling
data reliable.
• Answer all parts of the question. Part (d) asks for
environmental and economic concerns.
Question 5 – marking scheme
Question 5 – marking scheme
Question 6a
Question 6b (i)
Question 6b (ii)
Question 6c
 How do I tackle Question 6?

• (a)(i) Remember to use units in answers where

appropriate.
• Learn your key content, this can get you easy recall
marks
• (b)(ii) Carefully read questions and find what they are
actually looking for. This question asks for the part of
the protein.
• (c) If you are asked for differences, draw a table to
make sure that both sides are covered.
Question 6 – marking scheme
Question 7
 How do I tackle Question 7?

• There are always three sections in QER questions.

Make sure you identify the three sections in the
question and tackle all three parts.
• Look carefully at the command words
• It is a good idea to make a plan about what you need
to include in a QER question.
• You have been provided with a graph so you need to
refer to what is happening to the levels of sodium
ions, water and glucose as the filtrate passes through
a nephron.
• You might find it easier to use three subheadings in
your essay to help the structure.
Question 7 – marking scheme
Question 7 – marking scheme
 End of examination

There are no more questions to answer.

Cwestiynau? | Any Questions?
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further questions
about this exam?
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touch with your
teacher.