Exam Breakdown

Question 1

What is AO1?

Answer 1

Knowledge and Understanding

Identify/State/Provide knowledge of key terms

Question 2

What is AO2?

Answer 2

Apply knowledge and understanding

Apply your knowledge and understanding to the example in the question

Question 3

What is AO3?

Answer 3

Analyse and Evaluate

Analyse and evaluate your knowledge by:
- Giving Advantages/Disadvantages
- Stating the impact on the practical example in the question
- Provide reasons for the judgements made
- Offer alternative viewpoints

Question 4

What question starters indicate AO1?

Answer 4

Define, Identify/State, Summarise, Describe/Outline, Suggest

Question 5

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Define’?

Answer 5

Give the Meaning

Sentence Starters:
is
is a
is the
is the process by which
refers to

Question 6

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Identify/State’?

Answer 6

Name it/them

Sentence Starters:
is
is called
are
are called

Question 7

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Summarise’?

Answer 7

Give the main points

Sentence Starters:
is characterised by
is composed of
its main features are
consists of
Another point is
Moreover
Furthermore

Question 8

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Describe/Outline’?

Answer 8

Give main details

Sentence Starters:
is
is not
is characterised by
is composed of
is like
lacks

Question 9

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Suggest’?

Answer 9

Give possible solutions

Sentence Starters:
I believe
In my opinion
One possibility
Another suggestion is
We should consider
We could also consider

Question 10

What question starters indicate AO2?

Answer 10

Calculate, Explain, Justify, Illustrate/Sketch, Compare

Question 11

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Calculate’?

Answer 11

Give numerical answer

[Show ALL workings]

Question 12

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Explain’?

Answer 12

Why? How? What?

Sentence Starters:
because
though
by
therefore
This means
The reason for this

Question 13

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Justify’?

Answer 13

Give reasons why

Sentence Starters:
I think
I believe
The reason for this is
Since
Thus
Because of this

Question 14

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Illustrate/Sketch’?

Answer 14

Draw

Question 15

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Compare’?

Answer 15

Give similarities AND differences

Sentence Starters:
Similarly
In contrast
In opposition
The antithesis is
An alternative is
Nevertheless
However
whereas

Question 16

What question starters indicate AO3?

Answer 16

Analyse, Discuss, Evaluate

Question 17

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Analyse’?

Answer 17

Break into parts and explain

Sentence Starters:
Firstly, Secondly, Lastly, Eventually
This means that
This causes

Question 18

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Discuss’?

Answer 18

Talk about key points

As required:
Describe
Compare
Analyse
Evaluate

Question 19

What is meant when you are asked to ‘Evaluate’?

Answer 19

Judge from both sides and reach a conclusion

Sentence Starters:
A strength/weakness is
An advantage/disadvantage is
On the other hand
In contrast
whereas

Question 20

How are marks awarded in 8 mark questions?

Answer 20

AO1 = 2 marks
AO2 = 3 marks
AO3 = 3 marks

Question 21

How are marks awarded in 15 mark questions?

Answer 21

AO1 = 4 marks
AO2 = 5 marks
AO3 = 6 marks