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Richard Hale
School
DOCTRINA CVM VIRTVTE FOUNDED 1617
Year 11
Examination
Preparation
2015
Welcome!
This booklet is aimed at both students and parents, to help them prepare for and survive the
stressful period of revision and GCSE exams that will already have started and runs through
to June.
This booklet contains the following:
• General revision advice – where, when and most importantly how to revise
• Examples of useful revision techniques
• A revision timetable you can copy and use
• A parental action plan
• A page of specific exam and revision information for every subject
“I’ve decided I ought to do some revision – what do I do next?”
1. Get the domestics right
Sort out where you are going to revise, making sure that you are away from distractions.
Make sure you have revision materials to hand: revision guides, A4 paper, note cards,
highlighter pens, post-its. If not, go out and buy them, but don’t take half a day over it.
2. Find out what you need to revise
The last thing you want to do is spend time revising material that isn’t going to be in the
exam. Check in the pages at the back of this booklet that you know what is coming up in the
exam. Your teacher should also have told you what to revise. Make sure that you have class
notes on all the relevant topics. If not, get them from a friend or ask your teacher.
3. Draw up a revision timetable
They might not work for everyone, but in general, if you have a routine and can stick to it,
revision is easier. See the section on revision timetable planning.
4. Start
Go on….get on with it. No more excuses.
5. Review what you’re doing
Always ask yourself: Was that a useful session? What have I improved in? Was it good use of
time? What notes have I got to show for it? Do my notes make sense a) to me and b) to
others?. If someone else can’t understand them, then the topic probably isn’t very clear in
your own head.
“I’m doing the revision but I just can’t remember the stuff!”
Revision techniques
We all learn differently and over years 7-9 you should have started to become aware of how
you learn best. You will have done work on learning styles and should have a good idea of
what works for you. The most important thing is variety – try several of the techniques
below:
� NOTE- TAKING (summarising or condensing material, neat, colour-coded and
'key words' underlined)
- makes you concentrate
- helps understanding because you rewrite them in your 'own words'
- helps to link topics
- gives visual presentation
- helps to keep you on task
- helps you remember
- makes revision less daunting, as there seems to be 'less' to revise
- can be recorded on REVISION CARDS (see below for examples)
� KEYWORDS (often unlock memory; can be done on computer)
� MNEMONICS (abbreviations for key words; will increase long term memory)
� SPEAKING OUT ALOUD (talking to yourself; pretend you are teaching the lesson)
� RECORDING (using your phone or an MP3)
� SPIDER DIAGRAMS
� MIND MAPS (see examples later from website)
� WEB-BASED REVISION (see subject pages later on for useful websites)
� PAST PAPER QUESTIONS (lots of these on the CRC via the RHS website. Also, exam
boards have past paper questions and mark schemes on the websites. Google AQA, OCR
or Edexcel)
Revision Cards
Revision cards are a very useful way of revising and recording key points from each sub-
topic within each subject. This means you can revise from brief notes rather than having to
go through files, exercise books or text books.
Suggestions for use:
Postcard size revision cards with a margin at the top (different colours per subject)
2 – 5 cards with bullet point information or drawings for each topic
2 – 3 cards with exam questions and answers.
Below are some examples based on the media in sport.
Different colour cards for
different subjects or
topics.
Design your card to suit your style of learning. Eg Visual
Get a friend or member of
the family to test you
using past paper questions
and answers.
“He just sits in front of the computer. I don’t know if he’s doing any
revision” (One for the parents)
Bitesize, Samlearning, GCSEpod and other revision sites can be really useful, but also have
their dangers. Is the stuff you are learning relevant to your own Year 11 exam at RHS? Is it at
the right level, Foundation or Higher? Will your own exam questions be in the same format?
Does it help you remember information?
DON’T FOOL YOURSELF – use the computer as part of your revision, but don’t sit in front of
it all evening and pretend you’re revising
Mind maps
Below is a reminder of the elements you need in a successful mind map. If it works for you,
use it. The mind map software is available for use in school. There is more extensive advice
on how to construct a mind map in the Year 8 revision booklet on the School website.
Revision Timetable
Tips for success
� Between now and the end of term, your revision timetable will probably be based on
your homework timetable, as homework will still be being set.
� Use your homework timetable as a basis for completing this revision timetable, but fit in
an extra half hour per subject per evening specifically for revision, starting now
� Timetables must be realistic and workable – if you aren’t keeping to it, ask yourself why
and change it
� Write breaks and rewards in to your timetable. Research shows that your concentration
decreases after 45 minutes. Just getting up and going to make a drink can be a useful
break
� Start by filling in the activities you already have planned eg, football or rugby training
and build some revision time around these
� Don’t forget to eat
� Study different subjects on the same day.
� The timetable for the weekend doesn’t mean 12 hours of revision each day….plan your
activities and try to fit in 2 or 3 hours on Sat and Sun – this will increase over Easter
� Start gradually and build up the number of hours – you cannot work at 100% from now
until the exams
� Make sure you have something concrete to show for each revision session – notes,
cards, exam exercises, mind maps etc. Playing games on Bitesize for an hour is not
effective revision.
� You will need a separate revision timetable for the Easter holidays
� Get a good night's sleep, as this improves mental awareness.
Stick to your timetable – it really does work!
Week 1
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
4.00
9.00
4.30
10.00
5.00
11.00
5.30
12.00
6.00
1.00
6.30
2.00
7.00
3.00
7.30
4.00
8.00
5.00
8.30
6.00
9.00
7.00
9.30
8.00
Copy this sheet as many times as you need. If it isn’t working, tear it up
and do a new one. Make it realistic, make it work.
Topics to be revised in each subject
Subject Topic Time
Parental Action Plan
• Find out his MOCK GCSE results
• Find out his target grades
• What is his level of entry?
• What are his targets for improvement?
• What does he have to learn for each subject?
• Have you seen a revision guide or schedule for each subject?
• How does he manage his time?
• Are his files / exercise books organised?
• Can you help him organise his time?
• Does he have a revision timetable (see exemplar in this booklet)?
• Is he sticking to his timetable?
• Does he have a list of topics to revise for each subject?
• Make sure he has timetabled some recreation
• Test him on the meaning of words or on topics
• Look at the departmental advice in this booklet
• Has he produced revision notes for each subject?
• Have you seen a copy of the examination timetable?
• Can you arrange time away from ‘external’ influences at Easter?
• Has he looked at past paper questions on the Portal and exam board websites?
• If you are still worried, contact his Form Tutor, or individual subject teacher
Year 11
ART
Exam content
The mock exam in December gives students a chance to experience two days of
working on a final piece.
The real exam takes place at the end of the spring term. Students receive their
exam paper at the beginning of January. There are ten starting points to choose
from. Students select one starting point to develop and explore until the time of
the exam. The work produced must fulfil the same four assessment objectives
which applied to their coursework project. The preparatory work must be carried
out entirely by the exam candidate. All drawings and photos used must be
generated after receipt of the exam paper. The only assistance during the
production of work allowed by the examining board is guidance and advice by
the student’s Art teacher.
Exam format
The supervised exam is ten hours long and takes place over two consecutive
school days; these follow the pattern of a normal school day in terms of breaks.
They produce a final work of art, which is the conclusion to the four assessment
objectives they have worked on in their sketchbook on their chosen theme.
The sketchbook and final exam are worth 40%. These are marked separately to
the coursework project.
Levels of entry
There is only one level of entry which is common to all students.
Revision advice
Once the exam paper is received, students should:
• Choose the topic which generates most ideas.
• Follow the exam checklist which breaks down work into weekly tasks.
• Ensure they are on task throughout as failure to do so can significantly
affect the overall grade.
• Go to stimulating locations to gather photo and drawing sources
• Use galleries and museums to find interesting artist links
• Use the Art department to work in at lunch time and after school and
attend weekly twilight after school classes.
• Use print making, painting techniques, produce models and experiments
appropriate to their chosen theme.
• Ensure that a clear path of development leads to the final work
• Inform your Art teacher of any changes to work.
• Students must use the internet as well as books, magazines, newspapers.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
• Search engines. Here are a few, but the list is endless.
• www.artchive.com
• www.britishmuseum.org
• www.artcyclopedia.com
• www.tatebritain.org – this gives access to all Tate websites.
• www.nationalgallery.org.uk
• www.exhibitionroad.com
Year 11 BIOLOGY
Exam content
Triple groups will take papers 1, 2 and 3 in May/June.
Double groups will take paper 1 and 2 in May/ June.
B1
Diet and exercise
Defence against infection
Nervous system
Control in the body and in plants
Drugs
Adaptations and environmental change
Energy and biomass
Decay and the carbon cycle
Variation, reproduction and evolution
B2
Cells and specialisation - animal and plant
How substances get into and out of cells
Photosynthesis and plant nutrition
Energy flow through the ecosystem
Enzymes
Homeostasis
Inheritance
B3
Exchange of materials in the lungs, in the gut and in plants
Transporting substances around the body
Effect of exercise on exchanges in the body
The kidney – normal functioning and biological advances & treatments
Microbiology – safety and modern applications
Exam format
All are written papers, with short answer questions on the whole. There will be two
extended answers per paper. Questions on definitions are likely and there will always be
questions requiring analysis and interpretation of data
Levels of entry Higher or Foundation
Revision advice
• Check out the Portal for a version of the specifications which are detailed but easy to
follow.
• Use your own paper copy of the specification to tick, cross and annotate items to
show progress you are making
• Your revision guide, provided by the school, Unit 1 pages 12- 43. Unit 2 pages 44 to
72 and Unit 3 pages 74 to 97.
• Learn the key words that regularly occur as parts of questions, like ‘explain’ and
‘describe’ – see page 102 of the revision guide.
• Learn the key words that relate to the specific topics. There is a glossary in the
revision guide – unit 2 is p79, unit 3 is p101
• Make a few notes in a method that suits you to act as memory aids
• After revising a topic review all tests and concentrate on areas you found difficult
• Always reread your answer to check you have answered the question that was asked
• Participate actively in class revision sessions
• Ask any Biology teacher! Remember if it is bothering you, it isn’t silly and it’s what
we’re here for – it doesn’t have to be your own teacher, we’re all here to help you do
the best you can.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
• The Portal has the syllabus for learning and revision use
• AQA website http://web.aqa.org.uk has resources including past papers, answer
schemes and full course and syllabus details.
• Sam Learning
• BBC Bitesize, but don’t spend too much time playing games!
• The Biology department teachers.
Year 11 BUSINESS STUDIES - 4133 AQA
Exam content In year 11 (Autumn Term) the students complete their controlled assessment,
Unit 3 - Investigating Business – 40 marks, 25% of the total course.
Throughout the year, students will study Unit 2 having studied Unit 1 in year 10. At
the end of the year, students will take two examinations:
Unit 1 – Setting up a Business - a 1 hour written paper - 60 marks, 40% of total
course.
Unit 2 – Growing as a Business - a 1 hour written paper - 60 marks, 35% of total
course.
Exam format Both exam papers are one hour long and must be completed in black pen as it will
be marked electronically. There will be a series of short case studies, to which
students must demonstrate skills of knowledge, analysis and application. In some
cases, answers require an evaluation of the options.
Levels of entry There is only one level of entry for all students.
Resources Students are to use their CGP Revision Guide for GCSE Business. In addition, other
resources can be found in the Business Section on the school’s CRC, via the website.
Revision advice The students will be provided with a revision booklet near to the date of the
examination. This will have questions in the style of the real examination. This
revision booklet will provide a vital resource for the students. It contains knowledge,
analytical and evaluative questions with some exemplar answers.
The main area that students often have difficulty with is the finance part of the
syllabus. There will be questions based on finance, so it is strongly recommended
that students become familiar with the financial documents they need to know;
Balance Sheets, Profit and Loss Accounts, Cash Flow Forecasts and the important
‘margins’ and ‘ratios’ calculated from these accounts.
Year 11 CHEMISTRY
Exam content
Triple – The examinations are on the whole of units 1, 2 and 3.
Double – The examinations are on the whole of units 1 and 2.
Unit 1 topics include
• The fundamental ideas in Chemistry
• Limestone and building materials
• Metals and their uses
• Crude oil and fuels
• Other useful substances from fuels
• Plant oils and their uses
• Changes in the Earth and its atmosphere
Unit 2 topics include
• Structure and bonding
• How structure influences the properties and uses of substances
• Atomic structure, analysis and quantitative Chemistry
• Rates of reaction
• Exothermic and endothermic reactions
• Acids, bases and salts
• Electrolysis
Unit 3 topics include
• The Periodic Table
• Water
• Calculating and explaining energy changes.
• Further analysis and quantitative Chemistry, including titrations.
• Making Ammonia
• Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters.
Exam format
Triple – All 3 separate unit papers are one hour long and have 60 marks requiring
students to make short sentence responses, do equations and some calculations. Some
questions may be long answer prose and carry more marks and require a display of
reasoning using command words. Each paper is worth 25% which together with the
course work of 25% gives a Chemistry GCSE grade.
Units 2 and 3 will be on the same day and unit 1 on a different day.
Double – The 2 unit papers are one hour long and have 60 marks requiring students to
make short sentence responses, do equations and some calculations. Some questions
may be long answer prose and carry more marks and require a display of reasoning using
command words. Chemistry papers add to the Biology and Physics papers, including
course work to give a Core Science GCSE and an Additional Science GCSE.
Units 1 and 2 will be on different days.
Levels of entry
Triple – although there are 2 levels of entry available we would expect most triple group
students to sit the Higher exam. Some students may be asked to sit the foundation
paper. The level of entry is shown on their exam entry forms.
Double – There are 2 levels of entry: Foundation or Higher. Students will be allocated a
tier of entry based on previous exam performance. The level of entry is shown on their
exam entry forms.
Revision advice
• Start by reading through the syllabus and underline areas you are unsure of.
Concentrate on those sections
• Use your CGP revision guide and workbook if you have purchased one. Don’t just
read it, make revision cards, lists or spider diagrams.
• Your revision cards if you have purchased them,
• Decide what you think are the hardest areas and make up questions you think the
examiner may ask. Check your answers with the revision guide
• When you revise calculations, find calculations you got right from your class book
and redo them, covering up the answer.
• Try past paper questions from tests done in school and from the AQA website.
Revision resources
/ useful websites
The best resources for revision are
1. The exam syllabus, available from the AQA website or as a link through the CRC
2. The CGP revision books, issued to students at the end of year 9.
3. The GCSEPod site is useful.
Year 11 DRAMA
Exam content
Drama (worth 40% of the final grade)
Exam format
Section A is COMPULSORY
Choose one other between Section B and Section C
Section A: Practical work completed during the course
Section B: Study and performance of a scripted play
Section C: Response to Live Theatre
The examination is 1 hour 30 long
Levels of entry
One level only
Revision advice
• Copy out key quotations from ‘Bouncers’ and think about what they tell us about
each character
• Revise the social / historical context of the play (1980s nightclub scene – financial
boom etc)
• Practise writing WHAT your decided character should do, HOW they would do it
and WHY and what this would TELL THE AUDIENCE
• Write plans for practice questions
• Complete role – on – the – walls for each character you have developed in your
practical work
• Complete 2 sides of A4 notes on each theatre production you have seen, ensuring
date / theatre / names of actors etc are included
• Watch clips from films and describe what the actors are doing, how they are
interacting and what it is conveying to the audience
• Write evaluations of your personal and group performances – what worked?
What didn’t? Why? What was effective?
• Read theatre reviews of plays you have been to see
Revision
resources useful
websites
www.aqa.org
The RHS Portal
GCSE Bitesize
Year 11
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – AQA GCSE Double Award ENGINEERING
Exam
content
Two 1 hour paper based written exams. For Unit 1 a preparation sheet will be provided by the
exam board and issued to the candidates as soon as it becomes available.
Exam
format
Unit 1
Exam Date: Tues 19th
May 2015
Materials, Technologies and Design
Considerations
Written 1 hour paper 75 marks – 20% of
total GCSE grade
Unit 3
Exam Date: Mon 1st June 2015
Application of Technologies and Manufacturing
Systems
Written 1 hour paper 75 marks – 20% of total GCSE
grade
Level of
entry
Single tier papers.
The exams combined result represents 40% of the overall GCSE grade awarded.
Revision
resource
AQA GCSE: Engineering
by Paul Anderson and Bryan Williams
ISBN: 978-1-4085-0412-3
Revision
advice
General: Attempt all questions. Measurements in mm only. The marks available, space and number of
lines indicates level of response. Justify and qualify answers for higher marks. If possible purchase the
recommended book (Ebay or Amazon sell second hand copies) and use the websites below to help
prepare & revise.
Unit 1
Unit 1 consists of two sections, a product study section, entitled Designing and communicating (based
on information made available in a preparation sheet) and a second section on manufacturing and
materials, entitled Understanding engineered products.
First part Preparation - Research and analyse the product theme. Practise writing specification criteria.
Prepare and practise drawing a range of 3D designs (product theme provided in exam preparation
sheet) Practise drawing detailed designs and additional views (plan, sections, elevations and 3D) adding
notes on materials, dimensions and construction
Second part Preparation – Research and analyse the materials given below and their ability to be
shaped, formed and finished with suitable manufacturing processes:
Polymers / Ferrous metals / Common non-ferrous metals and alloys / Composites / Ceramics
Unit 3
Unit 3 consists of two sections, an Application of Technologies section and a second section on
Manufacturing Systems.
First part Preparation - Students are to test products against a specification and complete engineering
drawing tasks to the British Standard - BS:8888
Second part Preparation – Research and analyse Manufacturing Systems including the topics given
below:
Production Plans / Scales of Production / Quality Control Factors / Using tools and equipment, including
automated machines / Health & Safety / Bending / Surface finishing / CNC, including an understanding
of x, y, z co-ordinates / Computer Integrated Manufacturing / Computer Integrated Engineering /
Microcontrollers and industrial control systems / Robotic systems / New and “smart” materials /
Environmental and waste disposal issues / Energy sources, renewable and non-renewable
Energy
Revision
websites
www.technologystudent.com - Look at Mechanisms, H&S, Ergonomics, Technology and the
Environment, Materials (woods, plastics and metals) and Equipment and Processes.
http://www.designandtech.com A fantastic site full of information.
http://www.design-technology.org
http://www.bbcbitesize
http://www.aqa.org.uk – This is a great resource for past Engineering papers and mark schemes.
Year 11
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY - FOOD TECHNOLOGY (AQA 4545)
Exam content
A detailed revision list will be given to students from the exam syllabus.
It will also be available on the CRC.
Candidates will be examined on the course content studied over the 2 years covering
a wide range of topics linked to Food Technology.
A themed paper will be given in March from the exam board. This will be studied
during lessons in preparation for the exam. Revision material for the theme will also
be put onto the CRC under Year 11 exam revision/preparation.
Exam format
Unit 1 - Written Paper 40% of total marks
- 2 hour examination (All questions to be answered)
The paper will test a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of Food Technology.
Unit 2 - Design and Make Controlled Assessment (60% of total marks)
- Approximately 45 hours of lesson time.
Levels of entry
There is only 1 level of entry covering grades A* - G
Revision advice
and useful
websites
• Use the detailed topic revision sheet provided by the department
• BBC Bitesize – technology – food
• GCSE hand-out materials from RHS Portal – (GetHwk)
• Exemplar exam questions from teachers
• AQA website to access past question papers
• Text books on loan from school – Nelson Thornes
• Department revision cards provided on topics covering the syllabus
Year 11 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – GRAPHIC PRODUCTS
Exam content
One 2 hour paper based on the exam preparation sheet. This will be provided by the
exam board and issued to the candidates as soon as it becomes available
Exam format
Equipment:
40% of the total marks
120 marks
2 hours
One paper with various sections:
There is a design question based on context supplied before the exam
The rest of the paper consists of all aspects of the specification content
You must take colour pencils and drawing equipment e.g. sharp graphite pencils, pen,
ruler, rubber, set square, sharpener and compass and/or circle template into the
exam.
No preparation material may be taken into the exam.
Levels of entry
Your exam result represents 40% of the overall GCSE grade awarded.
Revision advice
Use the preparation sheet to investigate the theme as fully as possible.
• Design section study nets/3D packaging/graphical layout
• Sketching and scale drawings
• Equipment and modelling materials
• Work of designers
• Design and Market influences
• Paper and Engineering
• Processes and Manufacture for products (including printing)
Revise the areas identified in your extended ideas web. Use the websites and revision
guidebooks below and remember to test your knowledge.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
www.technologystudent.com go to the Graphics section then scroll down to the Exam
section to find this year’s exam topic. Also look at other sections covered by the
spider diagram.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/ BBC Bitesize D&T Revision Link.
Lots of information.
http://www.designandtech.com/ full of information on all aspects of Design and
Technology. Click link to graphics section.
http://design-technology.info/revisionguides/graphics-revision/default.htm A useful
list of the things you need to know about.
http://www.btinternet.com/~hognosesam/gcse/page2.html Strange name (Hognose
Sam) geared to Resistant Materials but linkages and mechanisms relate to Graphic
Products.
Essentials GCSE Design and technology Graphic Products Revision guide (work book
available too) ISBN: 978-1-906415-49-5
CGP GCSE D&T Graphic Products AQA Specification Revision guide (work book
available too) ISBN: 978-1-84762-356-0
Year 11
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY - RESISTANT MATERIALS
Exam
content
One 2 hour paper based on the exam preparation sheet. This will be provided by the exam board
and issued to the candidates as soon as it becomes available
Exam
format
Exam Date: Mon 8TH
June 2015
40% of the total marks,
120 marks, 2 hours
You must take colour pencils and
drawing equipment e.g. sharp 2H
pencil, rubber, ruler and pen.
No preparation material may be
taken into the exam
One paper with two sections:
Section A
30 marks
A design question based on context supplied
prior to the exam
Section B
90 marks
Covers all aspects of the specification content
Level of
entry
Single tier paper.
Your exam result represents 40% of the overall GCSE grade awarded.
Revision
resource
AQA GCSE Design and Technology: Resistant Materials Technology
by Ian Fawcett, Roger Smith, Mick Whittle
ISBN: 978-1-4085-0273-0
Revision
advice
General: Attempt all questions. Measurements in mm only. The space/number of lines indicates
level of response. Timings are given for each question. Sketches should be in pencil only.
Annotation and colour should be used to enhance sketches. Justify and qualify answers for higher
marks. Written answers may be bullet points except where quality of written communication is
specified. If possible purchase the recommended book (Ebay or Amazon sell second hand copies)
and use the websites below to help prepare & revise.
Section A:
Preparation - research and analyse the design theme. Practise writing specification criteria
(MUMSFACES). Prepare and practise drawing a range of 3D designs (theme provided in exam
preparation sheet). Practise drawing detailed designs and additional views (plan, section,
elevations and 3D) adding colour, notes on materials, dimensions and construction.
The exam: Justified specification criteria, a range (5) of quick initial idea sketches (demonstrate
creativity - must be significantly different from each other) which meet specification. Select the
best idea to draw a detailed final design – must be coloured, 3D view with details of materials,
finishes, 3 realistic dimensions (mm only) and notes on how made and assembled. Qualified
evaluation of design/s against specification criteria.
Section B:
Based on general knowledge and understanding.
Practise past paper questions and use the websites below. Refer to the above book and revise the
following units:
• Materials and components
• Design and market influences (Social, Moral and Sustainability)
• Processes and manufacture
The making question: Images of products – demonstrate knowledge of making in one or more
material (wood, metal, plastic). This question may be answered as description of CAD/CAM or
traditional making methods. Need to cover: marking out, cutting and shaping, joining and bending,
finishing and applying any logos/decals. Must show how the product could be made in quantity.
The materials question: identify specific materials from colour images, for full marks you need to
justify your answer i.e. refer to material properties and sources.
The open questions: demonstrate depth of knowledge on a topic from any area. These questions
cover; materials and processes, social and moral issues (i.e. market influence,
environmental/sustainability issues, consumer protection, H&S) and Industrial processes.
Revision
websites
www.technologystudent.com - Resistant Materials - usually has specific AQA exam section. Also
look at mechanisms, H&S, ergonomics, technology and the environment, materials (woods,
plastics and metals) and equipment and processes.
http://www.designandtech.com/resistantmaterials/ A fantastic site full of information.
http://www.design-technology.org A good starting point for research and information on making
processes.
Year 11 ENGLISH 4700[combined]
ENGLISH LANGUAGE- 4705
ENGLISH LITERATURE-4710
Exam content
English Language- 1 exam
• Analysing non-fiction and media
• Writing to persuade/argue/advise
• Writing to inform/explain/describe
English Literature- 2 exams
1. Unit 1-Literature Exploring Modern Texts- Study and analysis of 2 novels/plays
2. Unit 2 - Literature-Poetry Lit- Study of cluster of poetry with comparative analysis of
2 poems, one of their choice & analysis of one unseen poem.
Exam format
4700 &4705
English Language Unit 1[1 exam]- 2 hours 15 minutes
Understanding and producing non-fiction text
Sect A – 30% of total - Reading response to unseen non-fiction and media texts; multi-
part question.
Sect B – 30% of total - 2 Writing Tasks - longer task: persuade/argue & shorter task:
inform/describe
English Literature Unit 1&2[2 exams]
1.English Literature - 1 hour 30 minutes
Exploring modern texts
Sect A – 20%of total - Study of one novel – Lord of the Flies- choose 1 question
Sect B – 20% of total - Study of one novel – Of Mice & Men- 2 parts to question
2.English Literature- 1 hour 15 minutes
Poetry across time
Sect A- 23% of total- Sect A- Compare a named poem with a poem of your choice[
from anthology collection]
Sect B- 12% of total- Sect B- Analyse one unseen poem
Levels of entry
All Students will sit Higher Tier
Revision advice
and useful
websites
• GCSE Bitesize website
• Practice AQA papers – most completed in school and available on AQA
website papers and mark schemes
• Sam Learning
• Portal
• In- house Revision Guide for Unit 1 English Language Paper
• Newspaper articles- websites
• Sparks Notes website for Literature Text
• Advanced York Notes useful for Literature students on two novels.
• Revision advice also given on target sheets given to parents on parents
evening.
Year 11 GEOGRAPHY
Exam content
Paper 1 Physical Geography Paper: The Restless Earth, Water on the Land and The
Coastal Zone
Paper 2 Human Geography Paper: Population, Changing Urban Environments and
Tourism
Exam format
Unit 1 Physical Geography (37.5% of Total GCSE)
Section A
• The Restless Earth
Section B
• Water on the Land
• The Coastal Zone
Unit 2 Human Geography (37.5%of Total GCSE)
Section A
• Population Change
• Changing Urban Environments
Section B
• Globalisation
• Tourism
Style of Assessment
• 2 x 1 hour 30 minute examination
• Candidates answer three questions, one from Section A and one from Section B, plus
free choice of one other.
Plus Fieldwork already completed worth 25% on Studland
Levels of entry
Higher and Foundation tiers for terminal exams
Foundation level students can access grades C - G.
Higher level students can access grades A* - D
Revision advice
• Know and use the key words for each topic.
• Revise techniques for description of features and techniques for explanation of
processes.
• Know your case studies for each topic and understand how to use them to expand
and/or illustrate your answer.
• Use your pink case study sheet for guidance
• Break revision into topics, and these topics into small sections such as processes,
landforms, impacts on man. These are outlined in greater detail in the revision
books you will be given next term.
• Revise and test these small units of work.
• Use revision cards
Revision
resources and
useful websites
• Use the website
• http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/geo_landt/new/geography_a_materials.php
?id=09&prev=09
for past papers and mark schemes
• Published revision guides (Specific for AQA Spec A)
• BBC Bitesize for animations and guides
• Get Homework Here drive
• RHS Portal plus your own revision notes and materials
Year 11 GEOLOGY
Exam content
Evidence of how the rocks were formed and subsequently deformed
How the landscape contains evidence of the relationship between past and
present processes and the underlying geology
The major concepts that underpin our current understanding of the Earth
The major geological events fit into a timeline.
The reporting of Earth events in the media
The work of professional geoscientists
Exam format
Theory Paper
External assessment – one exam paper worth 75% and lasting 1½hr, 100 marks
An on-screen written paper consisting of compulsory structured data and
stimulus response questions, marked by WJEC.
Coursework
Conducted in Autumn term
Controlled internal assessment - 50 marks worth 25%
Directed investigation of an actual location presented as field
notes and a written report. Marked by centre.
Level of entry
Single level of entry for all students
Revision advice
• Revise each of the key themes covered during the whole course in depth.
• Learn the key words and phrases in each topic.
• Make sure you use past papers as practice.
• Use the syllabus http://www.wjec.co.uk/uploads/publications/10067.pdf
Revision
resources useful
websites
• Understanding Geology textbook
• RHS Portal / dept revision sheets / past papers
• Specimen paper questions / examiners reports online on
http://www.wjec.co.uk/uploads/publications/4431.pdf
http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=61&level=7&list=docs&docCatID=
82
Year 11 HISTORY
Exam content
TOPIC PAPER 1 PAPER 2
Key Question 4: Who was to blame for the Cold War? X
Key Question 5: Who won the Cuban Missile Crisis? X
Key Question 6: Why did the USA fail in Vietnam? X
Key Question 7: Why did the Tsarist regime collapse in
1917?
X
Key Question 8: How did the Bolsheviks gain power, and
how did they consolidate their rule?
X
Key Question 9: How did Stalin gain and hold on to
power?
X
Key Question 10: What was the impact of Stalin’s
economic policies?
X
How did Liberal Reforms help the poor? X
How did women gain the vote? X
How did World War One affect the British at home? X
Exam format
Paper 1 is 2 hours long.
• Section A will ask you about a source and another question on the topic.
• Section B will ask you questions set out as a) b) and c) questions.
Question
part
Marks available What they test
(a) 4 DESCRIPTION
(b) 6 EXPLANATION
(c) 10 JUDGEMENT
• Section C will ask you source based questions about Russia.
• Section D will offer a choice of two questions on your depth study on Russia.
Paper 2 is an hour and a half long. The whole paper will be source based.
Levels of entry
• All candidates have the possibility of achieving from A* to U.
• Candidates have already completed 25% of their assessment through the coursework
element.
Revision advice
• Follow the History twitter feed for links to tips and resources: @History_RHS
• Focus on your weaknesses – what did you identify from your mocks? Use traffic
lighting.
• Make use of the Revision pack (google drive link on twitter)– if you follow the revision
plan you will cover the course effectively.
• Study and practise past paper questions, mark schemes and examiners’ reports from
the revision pack – (google drive link on twitter).
• Create timelines to make sure you are clear on the order of events e.g. Vietnam War.
• Visit the audio-revision section on GCSE Bitesize to hear the arguments.
• Create revision cards on each mini-topic e.g. reasons Stalin succeeded Lenin
• Listen to Mr Allsop’s exam skills podcast to brush up on your source technique.
• Create mind-maps to show how causes link together e.g. the road to war, the collapse
of Tsarist Russia.
• STICK TO YOUR POST-MOCK PLEDGES!
Revision resources
useful websites
www.schoolhistory.co.uk
www.igshistoryonline.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
www.johndclare.net
Year 11 MATHEMATICS
Exam content
Detailed topic lists can be found on the CRC and the maths department website:
www.rhsmaths.co.uk and click on your class page, or
http://www.rhsmaths.co.uk/ks4
In summary:
Express Set: Additional Mathematics (OCR 6993)
Sets 1-4: Higher GCSE Maths (OCR J567H)
Sets 5-6: Foundation GCSE Maths (OCR J567F)
Exam format
Express Set will have a single 2 hour calculator exam on 3rd
June.
Sets 1-4 will do a 1¾ hour non-calculator exam and a 1¾ hour calculator exam –
these are on 21st
May & 4th
June respectively.
Sets 5-6 will do a 1½ hour non-calculator exam and a 1½ hour calculator exam –
these are on 21st
May & 4th
June respectively.
The number of marks for each Maths exam is 100
Levels of entry
Express Set: Additional Mathematics (OCR 6993)
Sets 1-4: Higher GCSE Maths (OCR J567H)
Set 5-6: Foundation GCSE Maths (OCR J567F)
Revision advice
• Once you have the list of revision topics (available on the CRC) rank the
topics in order of how good you are at them.
• Revise some of your better topics first just to build your confidence, then
attack your weaker topics.
• Learn the basic concepts and techniques and then take time to practise
several questions of that type.
• Move on to other topics and do the same, but make sure you go back to the
original topics to make sure you haven’t forgotten what to do.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
Revision Guide from Mrs Laker (approx £3)
Mathswatch CD-rom from Mrs Laker (approx £3)
• www.mymaths.co.uk - Booster Packs:
- D’s to C’s
- C’s to B’s
- A’s to A*’s
www.rhsmaths.co.uk/ks4
www.samlearning.com
Year 11
MFL
Exam content
• Self and family.
• Tourism – a holiday.
• Leisure time.
• Local environment – house and home.
• School including work experience.
• Life at home.
Exam format
• Listening paper – higher 40 marks or foundation level 35 marks. (20%).
• Reading paper – higher 45 marks or foundation level 35 marks. (20%).
• Speaking – one task already completed in December as part of the controlled
conditions format. Second task to be completed after the Easter Holidays. 30
marks each. (30%).
• Writing –already completed as part of the controlled conditions format. Two
pieces worth 30 marks each. The two pieces will be submitted. (30%).
Levels of entry
Foundation or Higher for reading and listening. Speaking and writing by outcome.
Revision advice
• Revise the vocabulary from the sections at the end of each text book module
little and often.
• Use the Vocab Express blue revision booklets provided.
• Practise reading for detail and reading sections/passages for gist, using any
texts from your textbook or websites.
• Never leave a blank in the reading and listening exams – there is often more
than one accepted answer. If in doubt have a guess.
• Revise grammar – in particular recognising tenses – from the back section of
your text book.
• Use of www.voki.com for native speaker pronunciation of texts.
• Use the memory techniques shown in class to help with vocabulary and
controlled conditions work.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
• www.vocabexpress.com account for topic based vocabulary revision and
testing.
• www.thisislanguage.com account for reading and listening practice.
• Access the full AQA past papers and complete as many as you can to
familiarise yourself with the format and nature of the questions. Mark
schemes and UMS conversion charts are available for each paper. This is
available on a downloadable USB resource pack in school.
• Use the Exam Pro topic based reading and listening papers to complete and
self-assess and grade.
• Excellent sites including BBC Bitesize, samlearning and the Ashcombe School.
Year 11 MUSIC
Exam content
Dance Music: Waltz, Salsa, Tango, American Line Dance, Irish Jigs & Reels, Bhangra,
Disco, Club Dance.
Shared Music: Lieder, Pop Ballads, Classical Concerto, Jazz, Indian Classical Music,
Gamelan, Baroque and Classical music, African A Capella Singing, Great Choral
Classics
Descriptive Music: Programmatic Music (music to tell a story), Film Music
In all of the above you will be required to identify and describe use of music
technology
Exam format
1 practical exam: Creative Task = 20%.
Task: Complete a piece using a given stimulus. The piece should demonstrate good
structure; control of phrasing, cadences, development of ideas and communication
of expression. The task can be completed acoustically, on ICT or hand written. Marks
are awarded for the accuracy, fluency and confidence of performance.
1 written / listening paper = 20%, (100 Marks for the paper).
You will need to recognise & describe technical features of the musical styles
described in section 1 above.
Questions will also test your knowledge / ability to recognise basic musical elements
such as: Time signatures, instruments & textures used, melodic structure, types of
chords (major, minor, primary triads, added note chords, type of ensemble playing).
You will also need to follow printed music, write pitch notation using treble clef,
write & follow simple rhythm notation.
Levels of entry Common Entry – All students sit the same paper.
Revision advice:
Listening paper
Creative task
THE LISTENING EXAM NEEDS TO BE PRACTISED REGULARLY not just revised. The
best way to practise for Listening will be to listen to a short extract (maximum 1
minute) and identify / describe features you hear. Notice there are two skills here: i)
recognise / identify / discriminate the sounds by ear; ii) describe what you can hear
in words.
Try listening to a piece with your class notes / revision guide open for that style – use
it as a multiple choice test: tick the features you can hear.
The GCSE revision guide is very useful. Make sure you understand the technical
features of the musical styles you will come across.
Make sure your lesson notes are neat, easy to read, have clear titles at the top of the
page and key terms highlighted.
Always practise listening for short periods. You will improve far more by repeating
10 – 20 minute sessions on separate occasions rather than forcing yourself through
an hour’s work.
Use of past papers: Do not simply work through them like an exam. Look for similar
skills used – e.g. describe a particular part within a piece.
Once you know the answer listen to the music to identify the particular features
needed in the question, even if you know the answer.
Practise specific skills and use of specific compositional techniques rather than
repeatedly creating new pieces: e.g. developing a melodic idea, creating a chord
sequence, adding expression to a melody that you already know. Practise working
under pressure – e.g. give yourself 5 minutes to create 5 ideas based on a stimulus.
Revision
resources / useful
websites
Past exam papers / CDs issued in class
CGP GCSE Music Areas of Study OCR Specification (ISBN 978 1 84762 370 6)
Use Mr Camm’s Revision Tips on the Portal (this includes very useful online links to
hear musical examples).
Listen to Classic FM to identify period style / identify instruments / textures
RHS Portal has a document that gives specific advice for practising the Creative Task.
Year 11 PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Exam Content
• The Participant as an Individual
• Physical and Mental Demands of Performance
• Leisure and Recreation
• Diet
• Health, Fitness and a Healthy Active Lifestyle
• Training
• School and Physical Education
• Organisational Influences
• Cultural and Social Factors
• Opportunities for Further Involvement
• International Factors
• Social Factors
Exam Format
Full Course:
One paper of 1hr and 30mins – 40% of GCSE Grade
Three Sections:
Multiple Choice Questions
Short Answer Questions
Questions on Pre-Released Scenario
Levels of Entry
One Level of Entry
Revision Advice
• Study handouts given in lessons as well as lesson notes.
• Look at relevant chapters in AQA Physical Education textbook.
• Make revision cards/mind maps on all major topic areas.
• Past Papers from Google Drive and AQA website.
• Lesson resources and revision video available on Google Drive.
Revision
Resources /
Useful Websites
• Google Drive
• www.MyPeExam.org
• BBC Bitesize
• AQA GCSE Textbook
Year 11
PHYSICS
Exam content
Triple groups will take papers 1, 2 and 3 in May/June.
Double groups will take paper 1 and 2 in May/ June.
Please note that papers 1 and 2 are on different days so Double groups will
have one hour of exam time but paper 3 is on with paper 2 for Triple. Revision
must take this into account.
Topics include:
Paper 1
Transferring energy
Conservation of energy
Kinetic theory
Heating and insulation
U values
Specific heat capacity
Energy transfer and efficiency
Transferring electrical energy
Electrical power
Generating electricity
The national grid
Electromagnetic waves for communication
General properties of waves
Reflection
Sound
Red-shift
The Big-Bang
Equations required for paper 1;
Specific heat capacity, efficiency, power, cost of electricity and waves.
Paper 2
Forces and their effects
Motion including speed, acceleration and distance covered
Forces including weight, mass-acceleration and road safety
Forces and terminal velocity
Forces and elasticity
Kinetic energy of objects speeding up and slowing down
Work done and friction
Gravitational potential energy
Momentum
Static electricity
Current electricity including current - voltage characteristics of components
Mains Electricity and electrical safety
Electrical resistance, energy, power and charge
Radioactivity and three types of radioactive decay
Atomic structure
Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Life cycle of stars
Equations are required for paper 2;
Force, acceleration, weight, springs, work done, mechanical power, GPE, KE,
momentum, charge, potential difference, ohms law and electrical power.
Paper 3
Medical applications of physics
X-rays
Ultrasound
Lenses
Refractive index and critical angle
The eye
Moments
Centre of mass
Stability
Hydraulics
Circular motion
Time period
Electric motors
Transformers
Equations required for paper 3 are;
Speed, refractive index, magnification, power of lenses, moments, pressure,
critical angle, time period, turns ratio and power in transformers.
Exam format
Triple – All papers are one hour and have 60 marks requiring students to make
short sentence responses and do equations. Some questions carry more marks
and require a display of reasoning using command words. Each paper is worth
25% which together with the course work of 25% gives a Physics GCSE grade.
Double – The hour long 60 mark Physics papers add to the Biology and Chemistry
papers to give a Core(paper1) science GCSE and an Additional (paper 2) Science
GCSE.
Levels of entry
Triple – although there are 2 levels of entry available we would expect all triple
group students to attempt the Higher section of the exam.
Double – There are 2 levels of entry: Foundation or Higher. Students have been
allocated a tier of entry based on previous exam performance. The level of entry
is shown on their exam entry forms.
Revision advice
Equations are a key part of Physics and students should know how to use the
equation sheet provided. Re-arrangement, work in base units eg of mm to m,
and the correct unit are required.
All students have a syllabus, equation sheet, revision guide (CGP) and a question
book (CGP). The revision guide is very good and has two sets of questions per
paper to test understanding. Constant reading of the guide together with the
syllabus will improve understanding. The questions in both books will test
understanding. Many work sheets have been supplied during the course and can
be used for revision.
Revision
resources /
useful websites
Syllabuses and past papers are available on the portal or via
https://www.rhsonline.co.uk/crc and AQA website, www.aqa.org.uk There are
few papers for the current syllabus but the old papers are very similar and can be
found with mark schemes on the portal.
There are power points by SSER on the RHS Portal for any given topic
Use the Lonsdale book
SAM learning is useful
There are now many web based resources such as youtube clips by teachers.
Year 11
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Aims of the
course
• To develop a critical, reflective and inquiring approach to a range of moral,
social and religious issues
• To explore religious beliefs and practices, and offer personal responses to
some of the ultimate questions about fairness, justice, life and death
• To reflect upon and to share your own values, beliefs and attitudes
Exam content
• AQA Religious Studies B: Unit 2 Religion and Life Issues
• Choose four topics out of the following six: Planet Earth, Animal Rights,
Prejudice, Early Life (abortion), War and Peace, Religion and Young People
Exam format
Short course students are examined on the unit, Religion and Life Issues. The
topics have five questions, which are each worth a total of 18 marks. Students
answer questions on four topics. The fourth and fifth questions tend to have the
highest marks and require candidates to explain and evaluate ideas. Candidates
need to be able to offer a balanced argument which draws upon religious
teachings and principles.
Students are advised to answer questions from the perspective of one or two
religions they have studied such as Christianity and Buddhism.
Levels of entry
Common level of entry
Revision advice
Develop your own revision materials such as revision cards, mind maps, bullet
points and essay plans. Practise exam questions and work with your friends
wherever possible. The BBC and RSRevision websites (see below) have plenty of
ideas and activities for you to try out. The AQA website contains past papers,
mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
Use your knowledge from related subjects such as Biology, History, English and
Citizenship, where appropriate
Revision
resources /
useful websites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/ has revision activities, materials
and games, as has http://www.rsrevision.com/contents/index.htm
Virtual Learning Environment/Portal: each topic is contained in folders in the Year
10 area; revision activities, materials and sample questions are in the Year 11
area.
Short Course Revision Guide covers all six topic areas: Planet Earth, Animal
Rights, Prejudice, Early Life (abortion), War and Peace, Religion and Young
People.
Read, listen to and watch the news and current affairs in the media as they
regularly report on relevant matters.
