Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.
Multiple choice questions will appear throughout both exams papers (Breadth and Depth), and at both Foundation Tier and Higher Tier.
These questions provide you with a number of answers, from which you must select the answer or answers that you think are correct.
A multiple choice question may require you to:
tick one or more boxes next to the correct statements in a list
tick 'true' or 'false' next to each statement in a list
draw a ring around the correct answer in a list
select the correct answer or answers from 'talking heads' speech bubbles
join the boxes by drawing lines between the correct answers
select the correct word from a list to complete one or more sentences
re-order statements into the correct sequence
The question may tell you in bold type how many ticks, rings or lines to draw. If you draw less than this, or more than this, you will not be able to get full marks. Make sure that you draw straight lines rather than complex wavy lines.
There will usually be more options than correct answers. Don't just go for the first option that looks correct - read each option carefully and decide whether it is right or wrong.
The number of marks for the question will not always match the number of ticks, rings or lines required - read the question carefully to make sure you understand what you have to do.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
What is the definition of a pathogen? Tick one box. [1 mark]
A
A disease-causing microorganism
B
A disease-causing plant
C
A disease-causing animal
D
A disease
A
A disease-causing microorganism
B
A disease-causing plant
C
A disease-causing animal
D
A disease
A.
A
A disease-causing microorganism
✔
B
A disease-causing plant
C
A disease-causing animal
D
A disease
A
A disease-causing microorganism
✔
B
A disease-causing plant
C
A disease-causing animal
D
A disease
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Which of these terms is the scientific term for the passing of a disease from one organism to another? Tick one box. [1 mark]
A
Catching
B
Vector
C
Transmission
D
Infecting
A
Catching
B
Vector
C
Transmission
D
Infecting
C.
A
Catching
B
Vector
C
Transmission
✔
D
Infecting
A
Catching
B
Vector
C
Transmission
✔
D
Infecting
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Monoclonal antibodies are used in pregnancy test sticks. What do antibodies attach to? Tick one box. [1 mark]
A
Antigens
B
Antitoxins
C
Hormones
D
Enzymes
A
Antigens
B
Antitoxins
C
Hormones
D
Enzymes
A.
A
Antigens
✔
B
Antitoxins
C
Hormones
D
Enzymes
A
Antigens
✔
B
Antitoxins
C
Hormones
D
Enzymes
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Which of these is not a diagnostic use of monoclonal antibodies? Tick one box. [1 mark]