Hey guys i came 1st for biology internally so i can share somethings i worked out along the way.
This is how 'I" did things- not by any means the right way but the ways i did things, and it worked out ok for me :uhhuh:
Firstly your number one weapon is the syllabus !!! This thing is the bible of hsc biology. A high percentage of questions are directly from this document and alot more questions are asking for the same thing worded differently. I strongly suggest you write out very detailed notes for each dot point and learn it as much as possible.
Since biology is a 'notes based subject' - (i want to avoid saying its all about memorising), it is easy to skim read the question get excited quickly write things down and not answer the question throughly. The question often askes for two things i.e. explain and give an example of xxx, and if u fail to give an example you will loose marks.
Write everything you know. YES THATS RIGHT ! They tell you not to do this but with 'positive marking' in the hsc it isnt a bad idea especially if you are stuck on a question.
Write a bit more than the lines given. it gives a marker an immediate sense of feeling that you know a fair bit about the question and they are in a postive mark-giving mind set straight away. It looks alot better than a person who has written a 3 line answer when 5 lines have been provided even though the answer may be perfectly correct.
If you can draw a diagram for the question, DO IT ! It gives ur answer an added strength immediately. Oh yea scientific must be in pencil !
Practicals - I know for a fact that LOTS of students miss out on a band 6 because they underestimate pracs. If u werent at class or you didnt write it out dont ignore it. It doesnt matter if u dont do the same prac as ur class or not, ask an older friend get some notes of this site whatever. Get it and learn it. Ive done trial papers with about 16 marks on pracs in core + option together. Do not think u can just do the theory questions and get a good mark. Whenever ur answering a question about a prac never forget these two things : 1) SAFETY 2) Repetition which gives the experiment RELIABILITY.
If u are asked to draw any graph in any exam remember independent variable (what u change i.e. amount of water for plant) goes on the
x-axis or on the left hand side if ur drawing a table and the dependent variable ( what the result depends on e.g. height of plant) is on the y-axis. dont forget GIVE THE GRAPH A TITLE and LABEL the axis and measurement scale i.e. cm kg ect.
I wouldnt go as far as writing a scaffold as kujah suggested because that will be too time costly...i usually thought out my answer before i started writing. When ur answering questions try to link biological concepts e.g. homeostasis to enzymes + feedback mechanisms. Homeostatis isnt maintaned then enzymes wont function because they need specific conditions. Homeostasis is maintained by feedback mechanisms. Give detailed answers if ur asked to name factors that affect an enzymes activity dont just say substrate concentration, temp, and ph also go on to mention co enzymes, co factors, heavy metal i.e. mecury lead zinc. Again an answer this detailed will give the teacher an impression that ur good and remember a teacher will mark a section of ur paper and a good first impression wont hurt.
Some hsc questions especially the 7-8 markers are very broad. link biological concepts, draw diagrams, give examples/statistics, and name relevant scientists if possible. This will only add depth to your answer.
Remember a high mark in biology isnt only about learning the concepts its how you PRESENT then knowledge u have attained to your marker that will get you the marks.
I know that some people will disagree with me, thats fine. This is my take on it
Feel free to pm me if u have any questions or any problems regarding a specific dot point or past question. I have been asked to tutor but i still cbf getting a job.
