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March 29, 2024, 09:10:03 am

Author Topic: Sample responses for bio exam + expression  (Read 940 times)  Share 

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miyukiaura

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Sample responses for bio exam + expression
« on: July 08, 2020, 03:32:07 pm »
+1
Hi guys,
Does anyone know if there are bio exams that have already been completed, as in with the responses already filled out? I'm having some trouble with expression especially when it comes to specifically answering the question without waffling on about something and writing beyond the given lines. I wanted to see how high scoring exams structured their responses to try and improve my overall expression.

Thanks  :D
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darkz

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Re: Sample responses for bio exam + expression
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2020, 04:21:16 pm »
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Hi guys,
Does anyone know if there are bio exams that have already been completed, as in with the responses already filled out? I'm having some trouble with expression especially when it comes to specifically answering the question without waffling on about something and writing beyond the given lines. I wanted to see how high scoring exams structured their responses to try and improve my overall expression.
Thanks  :D

So, unfortunately, I don't have any past-exams I've done scanned, but here are some general tips:

1. First, there's nothing wrong with writing more than the lines given, sometimes to articulate yourself you may well need to go over the lines and write more - that is okay, just make sure that everything is correct.

2. When you begin an answer, don't repeat the question. e.g. if the question asks you something like: Describe how the protein haemoglobin is made at the ribosomes. You don't need to write "The protein haemoglobin is made at the ribosomes by...."

3. You can try using dotpoints, but I always feel as though I just ended up writing one large dotpoint hehe.

4. Reduce waffling by only answering the question. e.g. if it asks you explain a concept and its two marks, you know that the question is basically asking for two main points. Also, if a question asks you to write two things, don't write more, since you lose marks for incorrect answers. e.g. question asks you for two things (2 marks) - you write three and one is incorrect, you only get 1 mark.

Edit: typo
« Last Edit: July 08, 2020, 04:42:00 pm by darkz »
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Owlbird83

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Re: Sample responses for bio exam + expression
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2020, 06:15:53 pm »
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Have you tried looking at the VCAA examiners reports?
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Biology.aspx
They have the simplest answers and points they are looking for in the exam questions, it's the most useful resource.
I find it valuable to do only a couple questions from the past exam, then compare with the examiner's report answers, because then you remember what was going through your mind when writing the answer and can more clearly notice what information was unecessary to write.

Another option is to to use checkpoints. I found that there answers are slightly longer than the VCAA examiner's report ones though.

Yeah, and as darkz said, dot points are a good way to organise your info and make sure you are add a key point for each mark. I always used them.
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Sine

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Re: Sample responses for bio exam + expression
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2020, 06:30:16 pm »
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Already a heap of great advice above.

Just adding to that, I don't know of any places where you can get completed exams but as Owlbird83 has outlined the assessor's reports are a good starting point. The thing I would add to this is that the assessor's report does not include all the possible answers to a question.

Also, don't use acronyms unless you can find an official report of which acronyms they accept (I believe the 2019 report says ATP, DNA, NADH are fine). If you do wish to use an acronym when you first mention a certain term include the acronym within brackets following that word/phrase then you can use the acronym unambiguously for the rest of the question, although not for the entire exam if you use the acronym for another question make sure to define it once more.
All the words you use must be identifiable - not necessarily spelled correctly (since this is not directly assessed) but there should be no ambiguity.  E.g. Meiosis vs miosis is a somewhat common mistake.


miyukiaura

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Re: Sample responses for bio exam + expression
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2020, 02:49:20 pm »
+1
Thanks everyone, some really helpful advice that I'll definitely try to apply for short answers.
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