What to expect in the exam As part of your qualification in Sport Science you will be taking an exam that is worth 40% of your marks. It is important that from the beginning you start to think about the exam and the skills you’ll need to get the best possible grade. Answering exam questions is a skill. Like any other skill, it can be learnt, practised and improved. Below is an outline of what to expect in the exam, the types of questions and what the paper looks like. You need to answer all the questions.
Types of questions to expect in the exam Exam questions can be asked about any area of the specification, which means that you have to learn everything!
Question type
PL E
The exam paper will contain different types of question: Description
Multiple-choice question (MCQ) Short-answer question
• A question with four answer options • Worth 1 mark
• The format of these questions will vary; for example, you may be asked to circle the correct answer from a list, complete a table or write a one-word answer or a simple sentence • Worth 1 mark for each part of the question
• Where you are expected to write a more detailed answer about a topic. This could require a description or explanation • Worth 2 marks for each part of the question
Open question
• An open-response question where you are expected to do a piece of extended writing • Worth up to 8 marks • These questions allow you to be assessed on the quality of your written communication
M
Long-answer question
SA
Understanding the language of the exam The command word is the key term that tells you how to answer the question. It is essential to know what the different command words mean and what they are asking you to do. It is easy to confuse the words and provide too much information, not enough information or the wrong information. The tables below will help you understand what each command word is asking you to do.
Command words that ask you to get creative Command word
OCR definition
How you should approach it
Create
• Produce a visual solution to a problem (for example, a mind map, flow chart or visualisation).
Show your answer in a visual way. You might want to use a mind map, flow chart or a diagram. Think about what is the best way to show the required information.
Draw
• Produce a picture or diagram.
Create a picture/diagram to show the relevant information.
10
Preparing for the exam
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