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 appear throughout both exam papers and at both foundation tier and higher tier. Multiple choice questions are usually asked as questions, often starting with 'what is...' or 'why...'.
You have three or four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must choose the number of options asked for in the question by placing ticks in boxes. Most multiple choice questions require just one tick, but a few ask for two ticks. You will not get a mark if you leave all the boxes blank, or if you put a tick in more than the required number of boxes.
Multiple choice questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. It is important to check all the answers before deciding which box to tick. It is also important to check that your chosen statement answers the question - some questions might include an option that is a correct statement, but that does not answer the question.
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Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Feeding relationships can be shown using food chains.
Below is a food chain for organisms in a habitat.
What is the producer in the food chain?
Tick one box. [1 mark]
Beetle
Leaf
Mouse
Owl
Beetle
Leaf
Mouse
Owl
Beetle
Leaf
✔
Mouse
Owl
Beetle
Leaf
✔
Mouse
Owl
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Feeding relationships can be shown using food chains.
Below is a food chain for organisms in a habitat.
What are two abiotic factors that can affect the food chain?