Biology Study Guide HELP (2 Viewers)

[iane]

Hi Guys,

I've just got my preliminary results back and it's bad. Looking over the test, I have identified several factors that I struggled at which I hope you guys have some methods to solve them.

1. In the tight exam schedule of preliminaries I was thrown off my usual 2 week preparation time, so my knowledge of the content was definitely lacking but I also felt that I had to return and relearn some contents as I had completely forgot it.

2. For the 7 marker questions I struggled to use the terms required by the marketing to secure the marks, like we had to use 3 of 6 key terms of natural selection.

3. Furthermore when we were going through the marketing criteria our teachers said that there will be unseen questions, which were not necessarily taught in the syllabus but needed for us to apply our knowledge. Is there any way to prepare for that, or is it just getting to know the content well.

Finally does anyone have any general study tips and memorisation techniques for biology because going into module 5 it is extremely content heavy and a lot of things needed to be memorised. Currently im trying to speed ahead of school, about 2 weeks ahead to ensure I have abundant time before the assessment to reconsolidate the content. I also plan on at the end of the week going over what I did for the week as a way of active recall.

Thanks.

 

[ringading]

Hi Guys,

I've just got my preliminary results back and it's bad. Looking over the test, I have identified several factors that I struggled at which I hope you guys have some methods to solve them.

1. In the tight exam schedule of preliminaries I was thrown off my usual 2 week preparation time, so my knowledge of the content was definitely lacking but I also felt that I had to return and relearn some contents as I had completely forgot it.

2. For the 7 marker questions I struggled to use the terms required by the marketing to secure the marks, like we had to use 3 of 6 key terms of natural selection.

3. Furthermore when we were going through the marketing criteria our teachers said that there will be unseen questions, which were not necessarily taught in the syllabus but needed for us to apply our knowledge. Is there any way to prepare for that, or is it just getting to know the content well.

Finally does anyone have any general study tips and memorisation techniques for biology because going into module 5 it is extremely content heavy and a lot of things needed to be memorised. Currently im trying to speed ahead of school, about 2 weeks ahead to ensure I have abundant time before the assessment to reconsolidate the content. I also plan on at the end of the week going over what I did for the week as a way of active recall.

Thanks.

Being honest, preliminries oly count if you really want early entry or you have that will to perform well. At my school for preliminaries a lot of people didn't pass or just passed. It is a relatively hard subject with so much content to be covered with such little time. Especially when ur rushing near the end of the term before preliminaries so do not stress too much about that. It's completely not your fault especially if you tried your best.

1. Those struggles and factors that you identified is really good, especially because now you know where your lacking and need assistance in. It is so normal to forget the content, and if you want to improve that method of repetition and long term remembering, you should study what you can and what you need to know (things you forgot or haven understood well) and repetively go back to that topic a week or so after to keep that memory. Theres a graph somewhere, I can find for you. I know feyman method and dumping is really good. Definitely do the traffic light method where you go through every single syllabus dot point and write on a spare piece of paper or mind map what you know and if you see that u missed things or it's lacking then you highlight red or orange (symbolises must know or relearn) this can really help grasp where you are really lacking and what you need to study. I'm not sure how your school may format your lessons or subject learning but definitely try maybe the night before read over what you will be going over the next day to have a head start in some knowledge, definitely depending on how your school teaches. I regret not doing study notes the day we learnt them instead of frantically stressing and doing them the night b4 an exam. So definitely keep on top. So maybe doing them the moment you come home and write notes for all the content or like the end of the week. Allocate time to definitely study for bio. (You'll be doing mod 5-8)

2. Making connections and fully understanding the concept not just the content will really helpful. 7 markers are very tough and be difficult tackling. Breaking down the question and understanding what content and examples you need to complete is important and key to getting high/full marks. To handle this in the future, make mindmaps, definitions for each module, key words and terminology (maybe highlighting ur syllabus or content or study notes). Mindmaps and diagrams are lifesavers in understanding and remembering. Do definitions/key words for each module and make sure to keep ontop of this. Bolding or highlighting keywords is good.


3. Definitely keeping note of feedback and types of questions (maybe going through past papers) to get some knowledge on the questions that can be asked that are not in the syllabus. I definitely know if they use external examples e.g for Year 12, certain non infectious diseases for mod 8, and they ask us to draw on your own content/knoweldge and answering the questions. It is difficult but lots of practice questions (and feedback from your teachers) should help beneficially in your skills and knowledge in refining and perfecting your responses. Knowing the content well should be very beneficial in answering the questions because it helps you create connections and know some sort of ideas that you can talk about and how you can tackle the question.

This is a good website btw for some information
- easy hsc

I've stated some general study tiups and memorisaiton techniques throughout. Biology is definitely a heavy contented subject and may draw on a very bit of the year 11 content. I suggest keeping on top of notes and instead of only studying before exams. (If you're lazy like me,) some light studying on weekends or after school - consolidating what you learn that day. Try starting flashcards early either writing or online. Your doing very well! Im sure you're going to do amazing for year 12. Don't over work yourself and burnout, (I'm on the track to burning out and I've only done my eng exam) but do take breaks and do your best.

Some tips/help/advice idk:

• traffic light method
• feynman technique and blurting/dumping method
• keeping on top of notes - consolidating right after school or that weekend of that school week
• going through past papers - familiarising yourself with questions
• creating a definition table/doc for each module
• diagrams and mindmaps
• handwritten flashcards/quizlet to test yourself and assist in memorising
• don't be afraid to ask for peers help
• practice questions - try get marked by teacher and redo the question again with the feedback
• attempt both open and closed book practice papers
• PAST PAPERS!!!! - mark and then redo again the next day
• go through each syllabus dot point ensuring you have the notes and knowledge on it
• don't wait till last minute to study for bio (i made that mistake once)
• don't be afraid to get low marks in bio it is a difficult subject and requires so much effort
• don't burnout and take breaks
• if you can, try be ahead in learning (I'm sure ur doing a great job rn)
  

sorry for the yap but i hope it helps. lmk if you need anything else!! ill be studying for cafs now, its tomorrow and I'm cooked

 

[iane]

Being honest, preliminries oly count if you really want early entry or you have that will to perform well. At my school for preliminaries a lot of people didn't pass or just passed. It is a relatively hard subject with so much content to be covered with such little time. Especially when ur rushing near the end of the term before preliminaries so do not stress too much about that. It's completely not your fault especially if you tried your best.

1. Those struggles and factors that you identified is really good, especially because now you know where your lacking and need assistance in. It is so normal to forget the content, and if you want to improve that method of repetition and long term remembering, you should study what you can and what you need to know (things you forgot or haven understood well) and repetively go back to that topic a week or so after to keep that memory. Theres a graph somewhere, I can find for you. I know feyman method and dumping is really good. Definitely do the traffic light method where you go through every single syllabus dot point and write on a spare piece of paper or mind map what you know and if you see that u missed things or it's lacking then you highlight red or orange (symbolises must know or relearn) this can really help grasp where you are really lacking and what you need to study. I'm not sure how your school may format your lessons or subject learning but definitely try maybe the night before read over what you will be going over the next day to have a head start in some knowledge, definitely depending on how your school teaches. I regret not doing study notes the day we learnt them instead of frantically stressing and doing them the night b4 an exam. So definitely keep on top. So maybe doing them the moment you come home and write notes for all the content or like the end of the week. Allocate time to definitely study for bio. (You'll be doing mod 5-8)

2. Making connections and fully understanding the concept not just the content will really helpful. 7 markers are very tough and be difficult tackling. Breaking down the question and understanding what content and examples you need to complete is important and key to getting high/full marks. To handle this in the future, make mindmaps, definitions for each module, key words and terminology (maybe highlighting ur syllabus or content or study notes). Mindmaps and diagrams are lifesavers in understanding and remembering. Do definitions/key words for each module and make sure to keep ontop of this. Bolding or highlighting keywords is good.


3. Definitely keeping note of feedback and types of questions (maybe going through past papers) to get some knowledge on the questions that can be asked that are not in the syllabus. I definitely know if they use external examples e.g for Year 12, certain non infectious diseases for mod 8, and they ask us to draw on your own content/knoweldge and answering the questions. It is difficult but lots of practice questions (and feedback from your teachers) should help beneficially in your skills and knowledge in refining and perfecting your responses. Knowing the content well should be very beneficial in answering the questions because it helps you create connections and know some sort of ideas that you can talk about and how you can tackle the question.

This is a good website btw for some information
- easy hsc

I've stated some general study tiups and memorisaiton techniques throughout. Biology is definitely a heavy contented subject and may draw on a very bit of the year 11 content. I suggest keeping on top of notes and instead of only studying before exams. (If you're lazy like me,) some light studying on weekends or after school - consolidating what you learn that day. Try starting flashcards early either writing or online. Your doing very well! Im sure you're going to do amazing for year 12. Don't over work yourself and burnout, (I'm on the track to burning out and I've only done my eng exam) but do take breaks and do your best.

Some tips/help/advice idk:

• traffic light method
• feynman technique and blurting/dumping method
• keeping on top of notes - consolidating right after school or that weekend of that school week
• going through past papers - familiarising yourself with questions
• creating a definition table/doc for each module
• diagrams and mindmaps
• handwritten flashcards/quizlet to test yourself and assist in memorising
• don't be afraid to ask for peers help
• practice questions - try get marked by teacher and redo the question again with the feedback
• attempt both open and closed book practice papers
• PAST PAPERS!!!! - mark and then redo again the next day
• go through each syllabus dot point ensuring you have the notes and knowledge on it
• don't wait till last minute to study for bio (i made that mistake once)
• don't be afraid to get low marks in bio it is a difficult subject and requires so much effort
• don't burnout and take breaks
• if you can, try be ahead in learning (I'm sure ur doing a great job rn)

sorry for the yap but i hope it helps. lmk if you need anything else!! ill be studying for cafs now, its tomorrow and I'm cooked

Thanks may I really appreciate you taking the time to help! Best of luck with the test you’ll do great!

 

[ringading]

Thanks may I really appreciate you taking the time to help! Best of luck with the test you’ll do great!

All good! Best of luck for your studies!!

Thank you!!