All spec codes must be examined through a three-year period with AQA exams. This is a spec code frequency analysis of the 2018 exams for both foundation and higher exam papers leading to very specific lesson focus and pupil revision. It highlights spec codes that HAVE NOT appeared in last year’s exams or very infrequently, leading to a very high probability of most of them appearing in summer 2019. (Some spec point could be assessed in 2020 and still meet the three-year rule.)
This tool has analysed 2018 foundation and higher exam papers and completed a frequency count of each spec code. This summarises into a combined table to prepare for the 2019 exams.
It highlights spec codes that have not been assessed by showing as green. It colours through a spectrum of red to green, of other specs which have been assessed, but infrequently. It shows this by a simple count and relative frequency to the number of spec codes. The relative analysis tool shows how common it has appeared relative to the number of spec points. A low spec count could still have a high relative count showing a lower probability. There is also a combined summary for F and H papers if you teach mixed groups.
Each analysis is shown graphically leading to easy displays for pupils to review key areas to focus.
On the following tabs there is a full spec checklist filterable by their appearance in either F, H or both so pupils can view this information in a checklist explaining each spec point. This has then lead to a checklist revision list for both F and H papers.
Exam questions have been made into a F and H assessment/revision document from AQA past papers and has been made specifically themed on these areas to help support and lead revision up to the summer exams. All markschemes and examiner reports are included.
Hopefully this will lead to a more productive approach, in terms of revision topics and time management, for both pupils and teachers.
This was not correctly based off of last year's spec as the microscopy question 1.5 was on last year's paper
WHAM_Education
5 years ago
I am sorry if you feel there is an error in the analysis of the 2018 exam questions.<br />
The question you have raised, 1.5, was also raised by another buyer and I have given a detailed response to this if you see my replying comments from this.<br />
But, in summary, question 1.5 from the official AQA mark scheme quotes question 1.5 as reviewing spec point 1.1.1.2. This I believe refers to the theme of the whole question as well, where it links to the skills required to complete the linked required practical to this spec point. Required practical 1.<br />
Although the formula is mentioned in spec point 4.1.1.5, the main theme of this spec point is about the advances and comparisons of light microscopes versus electron microscopes.<br />
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I hope that this helps answer your concern with the resource.<br />
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WHAM_Education<br />
Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user
Exam Analysis is inaccurate - it says microscopy did not come up last year but it did in Q1. Therefore making the focused revision also wrong
WHAM_Education
6 years ago
Looking back at the question paper and the markscheme, question one assesses spec points 4.1.1.1 once and 4.1.1.2 five times. The question asks more about types of cell in question 1.1 and then leads into the structure of cells and then how to use a light microscope which links into required practical 1, which is part of spec point 4.1.1.2. The final part of the question, 1.5, does ask about magnification but the mark schemes still links this to spec point 4.1.1.2, as this skill would be required to complete scales of the cells made from the slides.<br />
The spec point in question, 4.1.1.5: Microscopy, is more about the comparison between light microscopes and electron microscopes and the advancements over time, which was not part of this question.<br />
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“Students should be able to:<br />
• understand how microscopy techniques have developed over time<br />
• explain how electron microscopy has increased understanding of sub-cellular structures.<br />
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Limited to the differences in magnification and resolution.<br />
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An electron microscope has much higher magnification and resolving power than a light microscope. This means that it can be used to study cells in much finer detail. This has enabled biologists to see and understand many more sub-cellular structures.”<br />
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It does include that they are required to use the magnification formula in this spec point but I assume this is just reinforcing knowledge from the required practical.<br />
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The issue I faced when putting together the assessment resources is that there is limited material on light microscopes vs electron microscopes from the AQA bank of questions. I have therefore tried to include questions as linked to this to review as much of the linked spec points as possible.<br />
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Only one question even mentions the use of an electron microscope. I have added this resource to the question pack so you should be able to download this additional support.<br />
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When I taught this I had to use a lot of comparison tables from a variety of sources. I have included one on the resource. <br />
I believe if this was to come up, it may be themed more like a 6 mark comparison question. <br />
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I hope this feedback and the additional tasks helps.<br />
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WHAM_Education<br />
Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user
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