In GCSE biology, some of the most commonly asked questions will fit into the following formats.
1. Questions with ‘Describe’ keyword
You’ll be expected to provide a brief sketch of the process or events occurring in the given context.
2. Questions with ‘ State ‘ keyword
For this keyword, you’re supposed to provide facts and statements. When given questions with the ‘state’ keyword, which usually requires a sentence or a single word of writing, you are expected to draw from your prior knowledge.
3. Questions with ‘Explain’ keyword
These questions want you to provide precise details of why an event occurs. These are logic-oriented questions with multiple steps , so focus on these questions.
4. Questions with ‘Compare and Contrast’ keyword
This line of questioning asks you to analyze the similarities and differences between two things, usually methods. Students usually tend to provide pros and cons for one of the two methods and miss out on the marks.
5. Application type questions
Designed to stretch you, this stream of questioning asks you to explain the workings of a process using an unfamiliar case study.
6. Questions with ‘Evaluate’ keyword
Discuss the advantages/disadvantages if you are asked to evaluate.
When you are evaluating data, rather than expressing your own opinion or knowledge, comment on what your opinion is based on the given information.
Do remember to give a conclusion and back it up with the evidence from the question. This will carry one mark.
7. Graph/Table Questions:
You will be expected to write anything you notice from the table.
For example;
Which one has the most and which one has the least?
What is the trend and what increases/decreases with what?
Is there any anomalous data?
When you are asked to explain graphs, give reasons for each trend in the bars or lines on the graph. Try to use the word ‘because’ to explain.
In questions where you are asked to compare, you have to necessarily comment on both the similarities and differences.
8. Questions with ‘Suggest’ keyword
These are probably one marker that will require you to answer in one word.
9. General Tips
Do not leave any questions unattended.
Plan your answer quickly before you start to write.
Write legibly.
Scoring marks in Biology is all about writing the correct keywords. Think about the right keyword for a particular question and make sure to include them in your answer.
Be time-conscious so that you have enough time to go over your paper again.
Look at the marks allocated for a particular question.
That is usually a good indicator of the amount of detail required in the question.