Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.
Elements, compounds and mixtures - Multiple choice questions
There are two papers for each tier of entry, Foundation and Higher. Each paper is split into two sections, Section A and Section B.
Section
Type(s) of questions
Marks per question
A
Multiple choice
1
B
Short answer, extended response
1 - 5, 6
Section
A
Type(s) of questions
Multiple choice
Marks per question
1
Section
B
Type(s) of questions
Short answer, extended response
Marks per question
1 - 5, 6
The short answer questions contain different styles, including:
structured questions
maths questions
practical questions
Multiple choice questions appear in both exam papers, and at both tiers. Multiple choice questions are asked as questions, often starting with ‘What is …’ or ‘Which of these …’.
You have four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must only choose one of these options, by writing your answer (A, B, C, or D) in a box.
Which of the following separation methods relies on differences in boiling points?
A fractional distillation and simple distillation
B fractional distillation and filtration
C simple distillation and paper chromatography
D filtration and paper chromatography
[1 mark]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
A [1 mark]
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
A student is separating the colours in a sample of black ink using paper chromatography. He puts a spot of black ink onto filter paper. He dips the filter paper into ethanol in a beaker.
What is the name given to ethanol in this experiment?
A gas phase
B mobile phase
C solid phase
D stationary phase
[1 mark]
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Chemistry, Paper J248, 2016.
