Five Ways To Improve Your Grades

1.READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY: Many students fail to answer the actual question set. Perhaps they misread the question or answer a similar question they have seen before. Read the question once right through and then again more slowly. Some students underline or highlight key words in the question as they read it through. Questions at GCSE contain a lot of information. You should be concerned if you are not using the information in your answer.

2.GIVE ENOUGH DETAIL: If a part of a question is worth three marks you should make at least three separate points. Be careful that you do not make the same point three times. Approximately 25% of the marks on your final examination papers are awarded for questions requiring longer answers.

3.QUALITY OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (QWC): From 2003 some marks on GCSE papers are given for the quality of your written communication. This includes correct sentence structures, correct sequencing of events and use of scientific words. Read your answer through slowly before moving on to the next part.

4.CORRECT USE OF SCIENTIFIC LANGUAGE: There is important scientific vocabulary you should use. Try to use the correct scientific terms in your answers and spell them correctly. The way scientific language is used is often a difference between successful and unsuccessful students. As you revise make a list of scientific terms you meet and check that you understand the meaning of these words.

5.SHOW YOUR WORKING: All science papers include calculations. You should always show your working in full. Then, if you make an arithmetical mistake, you may still receive marks for correct science. Check that your answer is given to the correct number of significant figures and give the correct unit.