Learner Guide Cambridge International AS for example, 11, 12 and 13 are all multiple choice papers. At A2, you will take Paper 4, which has a short-answer part for 85 marks and an essay for 15 marks. Paper 5, which tests your skills of planning, analysis and evaluation. It is not a practical paper like Paper 3, but does require a lot of experience of practical work. General advice Use your syllabus all the time while you are revising and preparing for the examination papers. You must know which topics you will be tested on. Make sure you have all the equipment you will need for the exam in a clear, plastic container. You need two pens, pencils (preferably HB or B), a clean eraser, a ruler (which measures in mm), a pencil sharpener and a calculator. Answering questions The questions are designed to test your knowledge and understanding and your ability to apply the skills you have gained during the course. When you are writing your answers remember that another person has to be able to read them. Do not waste time by writing out the question before you start to answer. Keep your handwriting clear and legible. Keep your answers on the lines on the question paper. Do not write in the left hand or right-hand margins of the paper. If you wish to change an answer, cross out your first answer and rewrite. Do not write over what you have already written. Section 2: Examination tips 8Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology 9700 If you have to cross out something, put a line through it; do not scribble over it. If you run out of space, use white space on another part of the exam paper for a continuation answer; do not try to squeeze in your answer by using very small writing. If you have to use a different space for a rewritten answer or to continue an answer, put a note to tell the Examiner where it is, e.g. “see page 5” or “see back page”. Always try to write accurately using the correct biological terms. This often helps you to gain marks. If you want to use the word “it” or “they” think “what is it?” or “what are they?” and then phrase your answer more precisely. If you want to use the word “affect” or “effect” remember to write “how they affect” or “what effect do they have?” Example 1 Question Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that develops in many smokers. COPD refers to two conditions: chronic bronchitis emphysema. (i) State two ways in which the lung tissue of someone with emphysema differs from the lung tissue of someone with healthy lungs 2 Correct answer for two marks 1 There are fewer alveoli than in a healthy lung. 2 The surface area for gas exchange is much smaller. From the wording of the question it is clear that the answers refer to the lung tissue of emphysema. Ambiguous answers for no marks 1 There are many air spaces. 2 There is less diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. 3 There are fewer capillaries. Both types of lung tissue have many air spaces. The technical term alveoli should be used as in the correct answers. Even though the third answer is correct, it will not be marked as the question asks for two ways. Do not write the first answer that comes into your head. You are unlikely to think of exactly the correct phraseology or have all the necessary detail to answer the question. Plan what you intend to write before you start writing. Remember to read the question carefully, plan an answer, write the answer clearly, re-read the question, re-read your answer and then make any additions or corrections clearly. Always re-read your answers to check them against the question. During your course you will probably have seen many mark schemes from past papers. Do not learn them. If you write out a mark scheme that you have learnt, it is unlikely to gain you many marks and Section 2: Examination tips 9 Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology 9700 often none at all, as it is very unlikely to be relevant to the exact question you were supposed to be answering Be prepared for questions on aspects of practical biology; they can appear on all the papers, not just Papers 3 and 5. Terms These are the technical words used in biology. Many of them are given in the syllabus. These terms will be used in questions. You will get more marks if you can use them correctly in your examination. Ask your teacher if you are unsure of the meanings of the biological terms used in the syllabus and in any textbook you are using. You will notice that many terms are defined in the syllabus, so that is a good place to start when making your own dictionary. Many of the definitions in the Definitions section of the syllabus are quite long. It would be a good idea to write more concise definitions for yourself and use them to start your own biological dictionary using your class notes, web sites and the glossaries from the back of text books. Try to use the correct spelling. If you cannot remember how to spell a word, write it down as best y