GCE Biology
Getting to grips with
assessment objectives
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Examinations test skills
• These skills are called
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
• What skills (assessment objectives) are tested in the unit tests
in Biology?
• To gain a good grade, you must develop these skills
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
What skills will be tested?
• Assessment objective 1 (AO1)
Knowledge and understanding of science and of How Science
Works
• Assessment objective 2 (AO2)
Application of knowledge and understanding of science and of
How Science Works
• Assessment Objective 3 (AO3)
How Science Works
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
Candidates should be able to
a)
recognise, recall and show understanding of scientific
knowledge
b)
select, organise and communicate relevant information in a
variety of forms
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
AO2: Application
Candidates should be able to
a)
analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge and processes
b)
apply scientific knowledge and processes to unfamiliar
situations including those related to issues
c)
assess the validity, reliability and credibility of scientific
information
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
AO2: Application
Candidates should be able to
a)
analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge and processes
b)
apply scientific knowledge and processes to unfamiliar
situations including those related to issues
c)
assess the validity, reliability and credibility of scientific
information
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
AO3: How Science Works
Candidates should be able to
a) demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful
practical techniques and processes, selecting
appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods
b) make, record and communicate reliable and valid
observations and measurements with appropriate
precision and accuracy
c) analyse, interpret, explain and evaluate methodology,
results and impact of their own and other’s experimental
and investigative activities in a variety of ways
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Performance Descriptions
• The specification gives statements about the skills that are
characteristic of an A/B boundary candidate and an E/U
boundary candidate
– AS Biology – pages 57 and 58
– A2 Biology – pages 59 and 60
• These descriptions tell you what you must demonstrate in your
exam answers
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Shift occurs in testing of AO1
Target weighting of assessment objective 1
(AO1) as percentage of total
GCSE
BIOL1
BIOL5
BIOL6
science
30-40
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41
26
10
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Balance of assessment objectives
Target raw marks in each unit ( 2)
Assess
Object
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
AO1
26
33
7
22
27
5
AO2
26
32
7
35
57
10
AO3
8
20
36
18
16
35
Total
marks
60
85
50
75
100
50
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Possible exam strategies include….
• Find and complete the E-grade questions first
• Find and complete questions testing a particular skill first, e.g.
the graph questions
• Find and complete the longer questions first – keep one theme
going rather than jump from topic to topic
• Try each question in turn until you get stuck and then move on
to the next (sub)question
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Possible exam strategies include….
• Find and complete the E-grade questions first
• Find and complete the AO2 questions first, e.g. the graph
questions
• Find and complete the longer questions first – keep one theme
going rather than jump from topic to topic
• Try each question until you get stuck and then move on to the
next (sub)question
You need to feel comfortable with a strategy that works
well for you.
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GCE Biology – Getting to Grips With Assessment Objectives
Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723)
and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General.
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