Stamford
Welland
Academy
Year 11
GCSE Pre-Public Examinations
Revision Guide
Examination Period: 24 November – 5 December 2014
1
CONTENTS
Page
3
NOTES FOR PRE-PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS - YEAR 11
4
Revision
5
GCSE / BTEC Subject Guides for PPE Exams
6
Art
7
Dance
8
Design and Technology: Food & Graphics
9
Design and Technology: Product Design & Textiles
10
Drama
11
English Language (Sets 1 & 2)
12
English Literature (Sets 1 & 2)
13
iGCSE English Language (Sets 3, 4 & 5)
14
iGCSE English Literature (Sets 3, 4 & 5)
15-16
French
17
Geography
18
Health & Social Care
19
History
20-21
Italian
22-23
Mathematics
24-25
Music
26
Philosophy & Ethics
27
Photography
28
Physical Education
29-30
31
Science
Sport
2
NOTES FOR PRE-PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS - YEAR 11
EXAM DATES
24 November – 5 December 2014
TIMETABLES
Go through your timetable with your subject teachers and if necessary ask
for advice.
If you do not have an examination you will attend normal lessons for private
study.
EXAMINATIONS

You must be on time for all your examinations.
o Lesson 1 – Arrive at the Hall/Exam Room at 8.50am for a 9.00am start
o Lesson 3 - Arrive at the Hall/Exam Room at 11.15am for a 11.20am start
o Lesson 4 - Arrive at the Hall/Exam Room at 12.50am for a 1.00pm start

You must not take into the examination any unauthorised material or equipment e.g. instruction
leaflets for your calculator. Put your pens etc. into a clear plastic bag.

The minimum equipment you will be expected to bring is: 2 black pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil
sharpener, calculator, a pair of compasses and a protractor. No equipment will be lent to you by
staff invigilating the examination. Make sure that you are ready for the first exam. You are only
allowed to use BLACK ink. Correction fluid and ink erasers are not permitted. It may also
be a good idea to have a selection of coloured pencils with you.

Mobile phones are NOT allowed in the examination room (even if they are switched off). You will
need to hand them in, along with any other electronic devices, on entering the Exam Hall.

You must line up in silence, in alphabetical order, outside the examination hall. Listen to all
instructions. You must enter the hall in silence.

You can only look at the paper when told to do so. Important notes or instructions will be read
out at the beginning of the examination.

You can put up your hand to ask a question if you are not sure what to do, but the invigilator
cannot help you to answer the questions.

If you require extra paper or if you have dropped anything onto the floor, you must put up your
hand up and ask the invigilator to fetch it for you.

If you finish early, you must sit in silence. You may not bring a reading book into the exam.

Pupils who are caught cheating or deliberately disrupting an examination will be removed from the
examination and sent to a member of the Leadership Team. They will then face a ban on social
activities for the rest of the academic year.
Please note: All pre-public examinations will take place in examination rooms under formal examination conditions.
3
What Should You Revise?
As these are your first examinations for some of your GCSE courses, many subjects will set you past
GCSE papers. These could be on any aspect of the course you have studied so far. This means that in most
cases you will need to revise all of your Year 10 and Year 11 topics.
In this guide you will find a specific revision sheet for every GCSE subject informing you of the examination
requirements and telling you exactly what to revise.
These are important examinations for you. They will give you, your teachers and your parents a good
picture of how well you are doing in your chosen GCSEs and will be used for predicted grades on
reference requests from Post-16 establishments.
Make sure that you prepare well enough to do yourself justice and so they represent your very best
efforts.
How Should a Year 11 Pupil Revise?
We are all individuals. You will have probably developed your own techniques for revision. It is important
that you update and refine these techniques to achieve your true potential. To help you prepare for your
examinations, you should use the various revision techniques you have covered in tutor times, or any that
suit you.
Revise in short sessions of 20-30 minutes and then have a break before you return to your study.
When to Revise:
It is important that you manage your time carefully. Spread your work load so that you can reduce the
stress that you are under. You will also achieve much more and have more time for other things!
How to Revise:
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Cover a range of subjects during the day.
Allow more time for the difficult topics.
List the topics you need to cover for each subject.
Timetable your topics into manageable time slots.
Take regular breaks.
Reward yourself when you achieve your goals.
Good Luck!
4
GCSE, iGCSE & BTEC
Subject
Guides
All the guides are in alphabetical order.
You may find it helpful to remove the guides that are not relevant to you and then add any
extra material that your teacher may give you.
5
Art:
Students have been issued a past paper in which they have chosen a theme
from. They have begun researching and developing this in their
sketchbooks.
Exam Format:
Students will sit a five hour mock exam where they will complete a final
piece of work for their current project. This exam is un-aided and carried
out under exam conditions.
GCSE student- Preliminary work examples
How to prepare:

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Make sure preliminary work is completed, and shows a clear development of your theme.
Try out different compositional ideas for your final piece.
Experiment with different materials for your final piece.
Complete a mini version of your final piece in your sketchbook.
Use ‘Don’t Panic’ Book to ensure you have met all assessment objectives.
Make sure there is a clear link between your final piece and the artist you have studied.
Come prepared with any materials you need for the exam.
Any assistance that may be required for setting up must be done with teacher the day before exam.
Sketchbooks and preliminary work are allowed in exam.
Examination Board: AQA
Useful website: http://www.juliastubbs.co.uk/exemplar-material/gcse-exemplar-material-1.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/art/
GCSE student- Mock Exam Final Piece
Exemplar
6
Dance:
Students have been given a past paper to work from. In lessons they will explore the theme for their
performance piece. The performance is a solo audition which they will complete in lessons. The exam is a
written letter of application relating to the exam paper.
Exam Format:
Students will sit a two hour computer based exam where they will complete a letter of application
referring to a job opportunity as laid out in the exam paper. This exam is un-aided and carried out under
exam conditions.
How to prepare:



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Make sure all research work is completed.
Identify the theme of your dance work and show a clear link to the job opportunity.
Use all examples and prepared resources to ensure you have met all assessment objectives.
Come prepared with any research materials you need for the exam.
Examination Board: EdExcel
Useful websites:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/performing-arts/Pages/default.aspx
7
Design and Technology: Food Technology.
Exam format:
Exam board: AQA.
Students will sit ONE 2 hour paper. The paper has TWO sections:
Section A: Design section, which has an announced design context, issued on a preparation sheet.
Food context: Decorated cakes
Section B: A range of questions using topics covered in the KS4 syllabus.
Students are expected to research and prepare ideas for use in the exam in section B, but NONE of this
work can be taken into the exam, and revise topics that were covered in Year 10 (notes in their green
exercise book).
Useful website: BBC GCSE Bitesize.
Equipment needed for the exam:


Black pen, pencil, ruler and rubber.
Colouring pencils.
Design and Technology: Graphic Technology.
Exam format:
Exam board: AQA.
Students will sit ONE 2 hour paper. The paper has TWO sections:
Section A: Design section, which has an announced design context, issued on a preparation sheet.
Section B: A range of questions using topics covered in the KS4 syllabus.
Students are expected to research and prepare ideas for use in the exam in section B, but NONE of this
work can be taken into the exam, and revise topics that were covered in Year 10 (notes in their green
exercise book).
Useful website: BBC GCSE Bitesize.
Equipment needed for the exam:


Black pen, pencil, ruler and rubber.
Colouring pencils.
8
Design and Technology: Product Design Technology.
Exam format:
Exam board: AQA.
Students will sit ONE 2 hour paper. The paper has TWO sections:
Section A: Design section, which has an announced design context, issued on a preparation sheet.
Section B: A range of questions using topics covered in the KS4 syllabus.
Students are expected to research and prepare ideas for use in the exam in section B, but NONE of this
work can be taken into the exam, and revise topics that were covered in Year 10 (notes in their green
exercise book).
Useful website: BBC GCSE Bitesize.
Equipment needed for the exam:


Black pen, pencil, ruler and rubber.
Colouring pencils.
Design and Technology: Textile Technology.
Exam format:
Exam board: AQA.
Students will sit ONE 2 hour paper. The paper has TWO sections:
Section A: Design section, which has an announced design context, issued on a preparation sheet.
Textile context : Products for teenagers inspired by the theme fairground, which include a
range of decorative techniques.
Section B: A range of questions using topics covered in the KS4 syllabus.
Students are expected to research and prepare ideas for use in the exam in section B, but NONE of this
work can be taken into the exam, and revise topics that were covered in Year 10 (notes in their green
exercise book).
Useful website: BBC GCSE Bitesize.
Equipment needed for the exam:


Black pen, pencil, ruler and rubber.
Colouring pencils.
9
Drama:
Students have been given a topic to begin researching. In lessons they will decide on a theme for their
performance piece. The performance is group based and students can work in groups from 2-6. The final
piece must last at least 5 minutes and have a clear link to the topic they have been given.
Exam Format:
Students will sit a five hour practical exam where they will complete a group performance based for the
chosen topic. This exam is un-aided and carried out under exam conditions. You will be required to:



Devise a group piece lasting at least 5 minutes
Complete a written working record of the process of devising
Perform your finished piece in front of an audience
How to prepare:

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





Make sure all research work is completed.
Identify your theme and show a clear link to the main topic.
Explore different ideas and complete written work to show the development of your ideas.
Try out different structures for use in your final piece.
Experiment with different techniques and staging plans for your final piece.
Use all examples and prepared resources to ensure you have met all assessment objectives.
Come prepared with any materials/props/costumes you need for the exam.
Any assistance required for lights or sound must be organised by the 3rd hour of the exam.
Examination Board: OCR
Useful websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zbckjxs
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/179504-gcse-drama-factsheet-for-learners.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=devised+drama+GCSE
10
English Language
Groups: 11.1 Mr Alam & 11.2 Ms Lupton
Exam Board: OCR
-
2 hour exam on Information and Ideas for your GCSE English Language course.
The exam is worth 60% of your entire English Language grade.
The other 40% is your Controlled Assessment.
Section A is called Non-Fiction & Media. It is worth 40 marks and worth 50% of the exam, therefore
30% of your entire course. You will need to read 2 texts that you haven’t seen before that will be nonfiction and media texts. You will answer 3 questions on the texts. It is usually two questions on 1 text and
then one on the second text. But, be prepared for different possibilities. You MUST ANSWER ALL
QUESTIONS!
You will be tested on the following skills, so make sure you brush up on them:
1. Show understanding of how meaning is created through words, sentences and the whole text
2. Examine the effects of the writers’ language choices, layout and presentation
3. Evaluate the ways texts may be interpreted by different perspectives of the reader
Section B is simply called Writing. You will have a choice of 2 tasks. YOU WILL NEED TO ONLY
ANSWER ONE TASK. The task is worth 40 marks, the same of Section A, therefore worth 50% of
the exam and 30% of your entire Language course. You will be tested on the following writing skills,
so make sure you polish them up for the exam:
1. Make sure your content matches the audience and purpose you have been asked to write about
2. Use appropriate vocabulary and style to match the purpose and audience
3. Use a wide range of sentence structures, punctuation, paragraph structures to engage
the reader
4. Make sure you plan your writing before writing to make the structure engage the reader
throughout
Top Tips
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reading (Language & Literature)
Always provide a quotation from the
texts you are studying to support the
points you are making
Always explore how the text
engages the reader in detail,
thinking about their emotions, their
thoughts and attitudes towards the text
Examine how the writer uses
language to create effects and what
their purpose and viewpoint is
Always focus on the question (make
the question into a statement to start
off your answer
Literature only - Examine how the text
links to the time it was written (Wider
Context)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Writing (Language)
Always check the audience and purpose of the
text and make sure you match it
Make sure you plan your writing task and stick to
it – no-one likes waffle!
Make sure you use paragraphs – always start new
paragraphs when you change TIME, PLACE, TOPIC,
PERSON – Use the Topic- Expand – Link structure
for your paragraphs to give them depth and length
Always use a wide range of punctuation and
check your work for missing punctuation
Use a wide range of sentences structures
(simple, compound and complex) to vary the pace
and depth of your writing
Check your writing makes sense before your
finish, especially for tense, spelling and
punctuation
11
English Literature
Groups & Teachers: 11.1 Mr Alam & 11.2 Ms Lupton
Exam Board: OCR
For English Literature, you will sit 3 different exams as outlined below:
Unit
Details
 You will have a choice of 2 questions on
your chosen text
 One question will be on a specific extract
from the play
A662
Modern Drama  The second question will be on the
whole play
 The play you have studied An Inspector
Calls
 You will have a choice of two questions
 One question will be on a specific extract
A663 Prose
from the novel
from Different
 The second question will be on the
Cultures
whole novel
 You have studied Of Mice and Men
Section A – Literary Heritage Prose
 You will have a choice of two questions
 One question will be on a specific extract
from the novel
 The second question will be on the
A664
whole novel
Literary

You have studied Animal Farm for this
Heritage Prose
section
Contemporary
Section
B Contemporary Poetry or
Poetry
Unseen Poetry
 You will have a choice of answering a
question on a set poet you have studied
or answering a question on a poem you
have not seen (unseen poem)

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Assessment
45 minutes long
Answer 1 question from a
choice of 2
Each question worth 40 marks
9 marks are added for
Spelling Punctuation and
Grammar
25% of the Literature course
45 Minutes long
Answer 1 question from a
choice of 2
Worth 40 marks
25% of the Literature course
1 hour 30 minutes long
Answer a total of 2 questions
Section A – 24 marks
Section B – worth 16 marks
The quality of your writing is
assessed on this paper
25% of the Literature course
When you analyse any Literature text you will need to apply the following concepts to the texts:
 Themes (what’s the deeper meanings and ideas behind the text?)
 Characters (how are the main people in the text presented? What are their conflicts and problems?)
 Language Devices (poetic devices when studying poetry)
 Structure & Form (How is the story structured? How does it engage the reader?)
 Wider Context (social, political, economic and historical debates and issues)
 Audience / Reader responses to the text (What emotions does the story create in the reader /
audience)
 Writer’s Viewpoint / Purpose through the text (is the writer putting across a message or just
reflecting real life?)
12
CIE iGCSE First Language in English
Groups & Teacher: 11.3 Mr Moan, 11.4 Ms Lupton & 11.5 Mr Moan
-
Called Reading Passages.
You will either be entered for:
Paper 1 Core (grade C-G) OR Paper 2 Extended (A* and E).
Paper 1 Core (C-G)
1hour 45 minutes
Read one Passage and complete 3 questions.
Question 1
 Analyse the Passage showing your reading
skills.
 There will be question a) to g) focused on
identifying words used in the Passage, their
meaning and their effect.
 Total of 20 MARKS
 Question 2
 Complete a piece of extended writing
based on the Passage you have read.
 This will test your writing skills with some
reading skills to see if you have understood
the Passage you have read.
 Total of 15 MARKS
 Question 3 (split into 2 questions)
 3a will get you to identify certain words in
the Passage and their impact and meaning.
 3b will get you write a summary of the
Passage using your own words.
 Total of 15 MARKS
Paper 2 Extended (A*-E)
2 hour exam
Read two Passages.
2 questions on Passage A and one question on
Passage B
Question 1
 Complete a piece of extended writing
based on the Passage you have read.
 This will test your writing skills with some
reading skills to see if you have understood
the Passage you have read.
 Total of 20 MARKS
 Question 2
 Identify key words and phrases in the
Passage and analyse their deeper meanings
and how the writer uses them to create
effects on the reader
 Total of 10 MARKS




Question 3
Based on Passage B
Tests your skill to summarise what you
have read.
This question is worth 20 MARKS
Top Tips
Reading (Language & Literature)
1. Always provide a quotation from the
texts you are studying to support the
points you are making
2. Always explore how the text engages
the reader in detail, thinking about their
emotions, their thoughts and attitudes
towards the text
3. Examine how the writer uses language
to create effects and what their purpose
and viewpoint is
4. Always focus on the question (make the
question into a statement to start off your
answer
5. Literature only - Examine how the text
links to the time it was written (Wider
Context)
Writing (Language)
1. Always check the audience and purpose of the text
and make sure you match it
2. Make sure you plan your writing task and stick to it –
no-one likes waffle!
3. Make sure you use paragraphs – always start new
paragraphs when you change TIME, PLACE, TOPIC,
PERSON – Use the Topic- Expand – Link structure for
your paragraphs to give them depth and length
4. Always use a wide range of punctuation and check
your work for missing punctuation
5. Use a wide range of sentences structures (simple,
compound and complex) to vary the pace and depth of
your writing
6. Check your writing makes sense before your finish,
especially for tense, spelling and punctuation
13
AQA iGCSE English Literature
Groups & Teacher: 11.3 Mr Moan, 11.4 Ms Lupton & 11.5 Mr Moan
The AQA iGCSE Literature exam will have two sections.
The exam will last 1 hour 30 minutes.



Section A
Unseen Poetry
Section A is on Unseen Poetry and will
require you to analyse a poem you haven’t
seen before.
This is worth 35 marks
You should spend about 40 minutes on this
section
Section B
Drama (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet)
 Section B will be on Romeo and Juliet. There
will be a choice of a question on a specific
extract of the play or a question on the whole
play.
 This worth 40 marks
 You should spend about 50 minutes on this
section
When you analyse any Literature text you will need to apply the following concepts to the texts:
 Themes (what’s the deeper meanings and ideas behind the text?)
 Characters (how are the main people in the text presented? What are their conflicts and problems?)
 Language Devices (poetic devices when studying poetry)
 Structure & Form (How is the story structured? How does it engage the reader?)
 Wider Context (social, political, economic and historical debates and issues)
 Audience / Reader responses (What emotions does the story create in the reader / audience)
 Writer’s Viewpoint / Purpose (is the writer putting across a message or just reflecting real life?)
Useful resources




EnglishBiz website www.englishbiz.co.uk
BBC GCSE Bitesize - www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects - then select English or English Literature
(for Romeo and Juliet / An Inspector Calls / Of Mice and Men / Animal Farm and general Reading and
Writing skills)
BBC Skillswise website - www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/english (For reading and writing skills)
Shmoop – www.shmoop.com/literature - a website for getting detailed quotes and analysis on your
Literature texts (e.g. Romeo and Juliet. Animal Farm etc)
14
French:
Exam format:
-
2 OCR past exam papers – Reading and Listening (each 45 mins long).
Short speaking assessment on the topic that you are currently studying.
-
These marks will be combined with your controlled writing assessment marks to give you an
overall grade.
-
Questions will be in English and you should answer in English.
You will not be able to use a dictionary in the exam.
What to revise
For the speaking exam:
- Specific vocabulary for health.
- You should be able to answer questions in full sentences, using a variety of tenses, opinions and
reasons, as well as give extended answers.
For the listening and reading exams:
- Revise all the topics that you have covered in year 10 and 11.
How to revise – Top Tips
 It’s impossible to ‘cram’ for a Languages exam! ‘Little and often’ is the best policy when it comes to
French revision.
 Refer to the specification vocabulary list on the VLE – this gives you a comprehensive list of the
vocabulary that will appear on the exams
 Use sites such as linguascope (username: sqes password: Europe) and quizlet to revise easily
 Complete practice paper questions on BBC Bitesize
 Complete revision activities on www.zut.org.uk (free to use after 4pm on weekdays and on
weekends)
 Make cards and test yourself on specific vocabulary
 Complete the reading improvement pack on the VLE
 For the speaking assessment look back over your class notes at any questions & answers and think
about what other questions could be asked on the same topic.
 Look especially at the tricky little words that can catch you out!
Tricky little words!..
après – after
avant – before
ne...pas – not
ne…jamais – never
ne…personne – no-one
ne…que – only
ne…aucun – no
ne…rien – nothing
sauf – except
Après mes examens, je voudrais aller au lycée.
After my exams, I would like to go to sixth-form.
Avant, j’allais au collège en vélo. Before, I went
to school by bike.
Je ne joue pas au foot. I don’t play football.
Il n’arrive jamais en retard. He never arrives
late.
Il n’y a personne dans la cuisine. There’s no-one
in the kitchen.
Elle ne mange que des bonbons. She only eats
sweets.
Il n’y a aucun doute. There is no doubt.
Tu ne dis rien. You don’t say anything.
Je travaille tous les jours sauf les lundis. I work
every day except Monday.
15
Useful sites for listening revision
Name
Information
Link
BBC’s Bitesize
With revision material and tests for all levels, exams
advice and games. Also on FB.
Bitesize
French Revision
Site created by French teachers with exercises for 3
different levels, access to past papers, games and links.
Also with authentic news videos and exercises
frenchrevision.co.uk
Zut!
Free after 4pm on weekdays and on weekends, for
access to interactive exercises which use native
speakers.
Zut
French Video
Resources
The staff at Ashcombe school has put together a large
selection of video clips attached to a fill in the gaps
exercise. All GCSE topics covered and script available.
Also available on iPhone.
French video
TV5 Monde
Advanced level, entirely in French (but dictionary av.)
with many interesting exercises in different levels.
Authentic material like news on music, cinema, Sport,
History etc. . On FB and downloadable to iPhone/Pad.
Exercises
Modern Languages
at Burntcliffe
Has audio video clips to help you practise listening to
texts in the past as well as access to past papers and
other downloadable material.
Burntcliffe
Bonjour de France
Offers Advanced level (but with transcripts) listening
comprehension exercises. Not GCSE topics but much
more general and authentic (French being studied from
France normally).
Bonjour
Le journal en
français facile RFI
10 minutes authentic news show up-dated daily with
transcripts and listening exercises. Upper-Intermediate
level and with sources from French-speaking countries
all over the world.
RFI
Chante France
The only French station (from Paris) to play music that
is100% from French-speaking countries (like a normal
station, you can listen to the news, adverts etc)
Chante France
French Robot Radio
American station that plays only French music too but
also displays the lyrics and their translation. Also
features a few audio files for single words, phrases etc.
French Robot Radio
16
TV
Geography:
Exam Format:
Students will sit 2 papers:
Paper 1: 1:10hr Terminal exam.
This exam will focus on what has been taught in class, including case studies which have been taught.
The units covered will be;
o Rivers and Coasts,
o Settlement
o Population.
The questions will be a mixture of describe and explain questions, which range from 1 mark to 4.
Each section will end with a 9 mark case study question.
Case Study Examples:
o Rivers: Boscastle / Bangladesh
o Coasts: Happisburgh / Swanage Bay
o Settlement: Stratford Olympic Regeneration / Willow Place Corby shopping
improvements / Kibera Shanty Settlement.
o Population: China’s One Child Policy / Mexico to USA Migration.
Paper 2:
1:30hr; Decision Making exam.
This will focus on a Geographical problem to do with Development and Economic Activities. Students will be
given a problem and will need to pick an option to solve the problem.
They must:
o focus on the sustainability of their choice
o Structure their written response by following the examination matrix, as practiced through
KS3
o In total 16 marks are awarded for this section of the paper.
Examination board: OCR B
Useful website: The school VLE, Year 11 revision.
Also: BBC Bitesize, Geography all the way, Juicey Geography, Geopods.
17
Health and Social Care (BTEC First Award):
Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development (External Assessment)
Paper based 1 hour Examination
The paper consists of short sentences and opportunity for extended writing
The total mark for this paper is 50
The marks for each question are shown in brackets (use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on
each question; a minute a mark will give you 10 minutes to check your work).
The actual BTEC examination will be on Thursday 8th January 2015
18
History:
Students will sit 2 papers:
Exam Format:
Paper 1:
1hr 15 mins exam.
This will focus on four key topics:



The US economy
US society 1919-29
The USA in Depression 1929-33
Roosevelt and the New Deal 1933-41
In total there are 54 marks awarded over six questions. In a range of 4, 6, 8 and 16 mark questions.
They will be expected to:
o
o
o
o
Paper 2:
Extract information from a source.
Describe the key features of an event.
Analyse the causation and effects of events.
Analyse the importance of an event in this time period with other events.
1hr 15 min; Exam source based paper
Exam source based paper. Students must answer five questions based on four key topics:
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The impact of the depression
Britain at war
The home front 1939-45
Labour in power
The exam will be made up of questions that test your ability to extract information from the source.
There will be a source booklet for students to use where they will be expected to assess the purpose,
reliability and nature of the sources in a 6, 8 and 10 mark questions.
They will also have to use all the sources provided in order to argue ‘how far’ with a certain issue or event.
Examination board: Edexcel A
The Making of the Modern World
Useful website: The school VLE, Year 11 revision.
Also: BBC Bitesize, Edexcel revision guide, Edexcel revision quizzes
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Italian
Exam format:
You will sit two Edexcel past exam papers:
- Reading (50 mins)
- Listening (40 mins)
These marks will be combined with your controlled writing and speaking assessment marks to give you an
overall grade.
The reading and listening papers are exactly the same format as you will have in the summer.
Questions will be in English and you should answer in English.
You will not be able to use a dictionary in the exam.
What to revise
For the listening and reading exams you should revise all the topics that you have covered in years 10 and
11.
How to revise – Top Tips
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It’s impossible to ‘cram’ for a Languages exam! ‘Little and often’ is the best policy when it comes to
Italian revision.
Refer to the specification vocabulary list on the VLE – this gives you a comprehensive list of the
vocabulary that will appear on the exams
Use sites such as linguascope (username: sqes password: Europe) and quizlet to revise easily
Make cards and test yourself on specific vocabulary
Use the revision pack on the VLE
Practice your listening skills at http://www.barrbeaconschool.co.uk/?p=4244 or
http://www.newsinslowitalian.com/
Try changing familiar DVDs into Italian with Italian subtitles
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
Listening:
o Build up your listening stamina! Start with one listening exercise, then build up to three or
four per revision session
o Look at the question. What’s the topic? Which words can you expect to come up? How
could the examiner try and catch you out?
o Numbers can be tricky. Listen out for ages, dates, times and prices and note them down.
o Always listen to a passage at least twice before committing to an answer. Try and repeat
sentences to yourself more slowly so the words sink in.
o Look at the transcript (if available) and write down any vocabulary you didn’t recognise.
o Try listening to Italian radio for 5 minutes (increasing this with time) and make notes in
English. Do this with a friend and compare what you’ve written!

Vocabulary:
o Aim to learn 10 words per day.
o It’s best to spend 10-20 minutes in the morning revising them, then get a friend or family
member to test you on them at lunchtime or the end of the day.
o Make a list of all the words you find most difficult to remember and return to these every
couple of days.
o Write the words out and colour-code them (masculine nouns, feminine nouns, plural nouns,
verbs, adjectives, other words). Write them on Post-It notes (English on one side, Italian on
the other) and stick them around the house.
o Remember to revise how the words sounds, repeat it several times and try and write it
phonetically.
o If you’re a visual learner, try making a mind-map for each topic area or sub-topic. Do this
without your book/dictionary first, and then allow yourself 2 minutes to look at your book
before adding to it.

Reading:
o Look at the question first. What’s the topic? Which words can you expect to come up?
How could the examiner try and catch you out?
o Read the passage carefully. Identify key words, then look for those tricky little words that
can change the meaning of a sentence
o Find the verbs. What tense are they in?
o If you’re reading a series of statements by several people, and the question asks you to write
the name of one of the people, try writing a brief summary of what each person has said in
English.
o Check your work thoroughly and write down any vocabulary you didn’t recognise.
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Mathematics
Exam format:
You will sit two papers at either foundation (C – G) or higher (A* - D) tier:
• Paper 1 is non-calculator and is worth 50% of your total marks; 100 marks in total
• Paper 2 a calculator is allowed and it is also worth 50% of your total marks; 100 marks in total
Each exam is 1 hour 45 minutes
Grade
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
U
Marks Needed on
Foundation Tier
(approximate boundaries)
150/200 (75%)
120/200 (60%)
100/200 (50%)
80/200 (40%)
60/200 (30%)
Less than 50/200 (25%)
Marks Needed
on Higher Tier
(approximate boundaries)
150/200 (75%)
120/200 (60%)
100/200 (50%)
80/200 (40%)
60/200 (30%)
Less than 50/200 (25%)
Securing The Grade
- Questions generally become increasingly difficult
- Focus on the first half of the paper, making sure that no marks are lost due to carelessness
- With ‘big mark’ questions (3 marks or more); NEVER leave them unanswered
o Can you start them, even if you can’t finish them!
What to revise:
You will have covered virtually the whole maths syllabus in Years 9, 10 and 11 so everything that you have
studied could come up.
Four Areas of Maths:
Maths is spilt into 4 sections; and each section is covered in each exam paper
-
Number:
Algebra:
Geometry:
Statistics:
approximately 30% of total marks
approximately 30% of total marks
approximately 20% of total marks
approximately 20% of total marks
Trick Questions:
- MONEY:
o make sure that it is in the correct format
o is it £ or p?
- TIME:
o 60 minutes in an hour
o 1 hour 15 minutes is NOT 1.15; it’s 1.25!!
- UNITS:
o Check that the units are the same
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Top 10 Tips:
1. Make sure you know how to use your calculator.
All calculators work in different ways so it is important that you have your own one and know how
to use it effectively. Do not forget to take it to your examination.
2. Have the Correct Equipment:
You will need to have the correct mathematical equipment:
black pen, pencil, ruler, compass, protractor, scientific calculator
Equipment WILL NOT BE LENT
Equipment WILL BE EXCHANGED if it is broken
3. Write Clearly:
Make sure that your numbers can be easily read; 7 looks like a 7 NOT a 1!!!
4. Answer the question:
Read the question carefully and make sure that you have done what has been asked
5. Websites:
Make use of mathswatchvle.com
6. Use your orange revision book notes and revision guides to find out what you need to
revise:
Look back at the notes that you have made during years 9, 10 and 11.
Try making some revision cards with key facts.
7. Know the concepts you need to be able to use to get the grade you want:
In order to move up a grade or two, use mathswatchvle.com to identify the specific topics needed
for each grade.
8. Show your work clearly and in order:
Discipline yourself to show all the steps in your solution, even on the Calculator Paper!
Show them one after the other, not little bits of maths written here, there, and everywhere.
Method Marks are SO important
It is very easy to drop a minus sign or make some other careless mistakes if you’re writing down
one step out of three.
If you write down all the steps, one after the other, you are more likely to get each one right the
first time and more likely to find any mistakes when you check your work.
Use sub-headings to help structure your working out
9. Annotate questions:
If a question has a lot of writing; underline key words and facts.
Write down the topic which is needed to answer the question
10. Check your answers.
When you’ve solved a problem, put your answer back in the problem and make sure it works.
If you were given an equation to solve, put your answer(s) back in the equation and make sure they
work.
Exam Board: Edexcel Linear (1MAO); Higher and Foundation
The best type of revision is ‘DOING’
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DO lots of questions
DO lots of past papers
DO ask if you don’t understand
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Music
Exam Board: Edexcel GCSE
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCSE%20New%20GCSE/GCSE_Music_Spec_2
012.pdf
The examination is worth 40% of your total GCSE.
Listening and Appraising:
Examination requirements: 1hour and 30 minutes.
The examination is divided into two sections.

Section A: (65 minutes)
o Eight questions requiring students to respond to extracts of music on CD, which are taken
from the set works.
o The exact number of times the extract will be heard is announced on the CD
o Students will be given one minute reading time at the start of each question and three
minutes to complete their answers at the end of each question.
o A range of question types including multiple choice, melody/rhythm completion, grid
completion, one-word response, short response and free response questions will be used.
o The 68-mark total for this section – the questions will not necessarily be of equal
weighting.

Section B: (25 minutes)
o One extended response question (from a choice of two) on any one of the set works, or
comparing musical features across set works.
o This section will be worth 12 marks.
Scores of the set works must not be brought into the examination!
o Quality of written communication will be assessed in section B.
o Students should answer in prose.
How to prepare for the Listening and Appraising Examination:
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Listen to the set works regularly and compare each of the elements of music present in each piece.
You should have revision resources for each of the areas of study and the set works in your files.
Read through these regularly, at least 5 times a week.
Your memory needs to develop a routine in order to remember key information when you need it.
Create fun revision resources to help you enjoy memorising the key information:
This will support your memory when revising. Aim to have a different type of game for each of the areas of
study, this will organise your memory appropriately.
For example: AoS1 – Mind maps, AoS2 – Snakes and Ladders, AoS3 – Articulate and AoS4 – Memory
game cards.
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Helpful revision links for Music:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Chopin%20Raindrop%20Prelude%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Electric%20Counterpoint%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Moby%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Peripetie%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Skye%20Waulking%20Song%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Mozart%20Symphony%20No%2040%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Yiri%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdfhttp://www.apsch.org.uk/attach
ments/article/773/s%20Coming%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/All%20Blues%20-%20Miles%20Davis%20%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Grace%20Jeff%20Buckley%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Handel%20And%20the%20Glory%20of%20the%20Lord%20FULL%20REVI
SION%20NOTES.pdf
http://www.apsch.org.uk/attachments/article/773/Rag%20Desh%20-%20FULL%20REVISION%20NOTES.pdf
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Philosophy and Ethics:
Exam Format:
Students will sit:
-
One paper,
o 2 elements
 30 minutes per topic.

1hour: Terminal exam
This exam will focus on what has been taught in class. The units covered will be; “Belief in Deity” and
“Life After Death”.
The questions are the standard exam paper format:
Questions 1, 2 and 3:
fact point questions
Questions 4 & 5:
extended essay type questions.
Students are expected to use revision guides at home, alongside making their own revision notes.
Examination board: OCR B
Useful website: The school VLE, Year 11 revision.
Also: BBC Bitesize, http://www.rsrevision.com/GCSE/index.htm
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Photography:
Students have been issued a paper with the theme portraiture.
They select a film poster as their initial starting point which was then developed by looking at other similar
portrait photographers.
Exam Format:
Students will sit a five hour mock exam where they will be expected to:
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Refine the concept for their theme.
Evaluate an image from their chosen photographer.
Create a detailed photo shoot plan.
Create an annotated contact sheet.
Edit and annotate images from their photo shoot.
Create a final image. This can be in style of a film poster or a photograph.
This should all be presented on A3 or A2.
How to prepare:
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Make sure preliminary work is completed, and shows a clear development of your theme.
Make sure there is a clear link between your final piece and the photographer you have studied.
Use ‘Don’t Panic’ Book to ensure you have met all assessment objectives.
Experiment using different techniques that you may use in photo shop.
A new photo shoot MUST be done prior the exam. This should be a photo shoot that relates to
your theme but you have not used before.
Come prepared with any materials you need for the exam.
Any assistance that may be required for setting up must be done with teacher the day before exam.
Sketchbooks and preliminary work are allowed in exam.
Examination Board: AQA
Useful website:
http://test.lightboxresource.co.uk/assess/gcse-gce-examples/gcse-photography/
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-4200/subject-content/photography-lensbased-and-light-based-media
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/art/video/photography/
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Physical Education
Written paper 40% of Overall grade (80 marks)
Exam Format
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The exam is marked out of 80
It is separated into three sections;
o 10 mark multiple choice,
o 30 mark short answer questions
o pre-released material section.
 This section has longer mark answers that will also assess the student’s ability to
include Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar in their answers.
Topics the students may be assessed on include:
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Health, Fitness and a Healthy Active Lifestyle
Physical and Mental Demands on Performance
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Training
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Characteristics and Benefits of Leisure and Recreation
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Diet
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The Participant as an Individual
Cultural and Social Factors
International and other Social Factors
School Influences
Opportunities for Further Involvement
A full list of the content can be found by visiting AQA GCSE PE Specification OR visit the school VLE
GCSE PE page
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Science:
Exam Boards:


GCSE examinations through AQA
BTEC qualifications through Edexcel.
For the PPE’s, students will sit a variety of papers depending on their options:
Triple GCSE Science Students (Set 1)
Three exams (Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2)
Double GCSE Science Students (Sets 2, 3 and 5)
Three exams (Biology 2, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1)
Double award BTEC and GCSE students (Set 4)
One exam (Unit Eight – Scientific Skills)
Exam Format:
 GCSE exams are 1 Hour long.
 BTEC exam is 1hr 15minutes long.
The exam papers are either Higher tier papers or Foundation papers.
Students carrying out Higher tier papers are able to gain grades ranging from an A* to an E.
Students carrying out Foundation tier papers are able to gain grades ranging from a C to a G.
If the students do not achieve sufficient marks to gain the lowest grade on each paper, the student will
receive a mark of Ungraded (U).
How to Revise:
The best revision for the students is provided through the Kerboodle website.
The website contains all information required for the students for each exam.
It contains downloadable content, interactive activities and resources for all areas of each qualification.
Useful websites: Kerboodle, the school VLE.
Also: BBC Bitesize, AQA revision guides, Intervention and drop-in sessions
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Here is an outline of the key topics covered in each exam depending on which Science set you are in:
Double award BTEC and GCSE students (Set 4)
BTEC Unit Eight – Scientific skills:
This will focus on key topics including:
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Constructing a hypothesis and prediction
Patterns in graphs and results tables
Analysing evidence
Drawing conclusions
Evaluating evidence
Triple GCSE Science Students (Set 1)
Biology 2:
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Cells, tissue and organs
Organisms in their environment
Enzymes
Energy from respiration
Simple Inheritance in Animals and
Plants
Old and New species
Double GCSE Science Students
(Sets 2, 3 and 5)
Biology 2:
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Cells, tissue and organs
Organisms in their environment
Enzymes
Energy from respiration
Simple Inheritance in Animals and
Plants
Old and New species
Chemistry 2:
 Structure and Bonding
 Structure and Properties
 Calculating mass and yield
 Factors affecting reaction rates and
energy
 Salts and Electrolysis
Chemistry 1:
This will focus on key topics including: Atom structure fundamentals
 Rocks and building materials
 Metals and their uses
 Crude oils and fuels
 Products from oils
 Plant oils
 Our changing planet
Physics 2:
This will focus on key topics including: Motion
 Forces
 Work, energy and momentum
 Current electricity
 Mains electricity
 Radioactivity
 Energy from the nucleus
Physics 1:
This will focus on key topics including: Energy transfer by heating
 Using energy
 Electrical energy
 Generating electricity
 Waves
 Electromagnetic waves
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Sport Studies (BTEC) – Unit 1 Fitness for Sport and Exercise
Exam Format
 one hour
 50 questions
 online test
Assesses students’ knowledge of fitness for sport and exercise
The online test will include different types of questions including:
 short answer
 photograph
 video/graphics analysis.
You will need a calculator as some question will required the application of learned formulas.
The following learning topics are included in this unit of work:


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Components of Fitness
Fitness Training Methods
Fitness Testing and Understanding Fitness Levels
A full list of content can be found on the BTEC Sport EDEXCEL website or Google ‘Level 2 BTEC
Sport Specification’. This can also be found on the school VLE.
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