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Year 7

Exam Information

May 2018

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Year 7 Exams 8-11th May 2018

Exam Timetable

Lesson Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Maths Paper 1 Geography DT

2 Maths Paper 2

3 Computing Music English Paper 2

4 Science

5 RE English Paper 1 History

Art exams have taken place.

The MFL speaking exams will take place in the final week of May half term to allow for the final

module of scheme of work to be completed. This will be a written exam. After May half term,

students will complete assessments in speaking, reading and listening. There are vocabulary lists

in the student study booklets. Please get in touch with Miss Ashall if you have any questions.

There will be no written exams for PE, Drama or PSHCE.

All other exams will take place in timetabled classrooms during normal lesson time. For instance, if

Tuesday p1 would usually be Geography in HU1, students should go to HU1 where they will sit

their Maths exam supervised by their Geography teacher.

Where a session is left blank, there will be no exam. Students should go to their usual timetabled

lesson classroom and will be expected to be fully prepared with relevant revision materials.

Organisation

Each student should have an adequate supply of stationery (pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, and

sharpener) and any specialist equipment they may need, including calculators.

Each student should have their equipment in a clear pencil case or suitable alternative.

Students wishing to have a water bottle must have a clear bottle with no labels.

Mobile phones should be switched off and stored in bags. Smart watches must not be worn at all.

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Exam Tips

1. Revision Tips

Start your revision in good time, planning how best to use the time you have available.

Highlight key dates in your exam timetable.

Use bite-size chunks of time – research shows that information isn’t retained very well during time periods of more than an hour.

Plan for some free time too, it is important to switch off and reward yourself as an incentive.

Effective revision is always active – never just sit down and read. Be organised, have an overview of your priority areas and set yourself targets.

2. Know how YOU learn best

Try different strategies or techniques to find out which ones work best for you. Details of these are on the following pages.

3. Be prepared for the exam Organise what you will need for the exam the night before and have it ready.

Pens, pencils, ruler, sharpener, rubber, calculator (when allowed), protractor should all be contained within a see through pencil case/bag

4. Taking the exam Read through all of the instructions carefully on the front of the exam paper so

that you know exactly what to do. Read each question carefully, check the mark scheme and plan your answers. If you don’t feel confident about your answer, leave the question and come

back to it. Sometimes you remember more once you have got going. Check calculations, spellings, observations etc to make sure everything is

correct and you have not missed anything.

Revision – Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s Don’ts

Make a list of the topics you want to revise.

These can be broken down into main sections,

sub-topics, supporting details.

Use your preferred revision style – mind maps,

diagrams, flash cards, recording yourself and

listening back to it etc.

Your body needs regular breaks, so plan for

those and take them, don’t just keep going!

This can make concentration and remembering

information much more difficult. Use breaks as

a reward for completing a task!

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How do you learn best?

Kinesthetic Learners

Learning takes place by the students carrying out physical activities, rather than listening to a lecture or watching demonstrations.

Visual Learners

Learning style in which ideas, concepts, data, and other information are associated with images and techniques.

Auditory Learners

Learning style in which a person learns through listening. An auditory learner depends on hearing and speaking as a main way of learning.

Revision Techniques

Visual

Turn notes into bullet points. Highlight key words. Keep shortening them until you have

one word that will trigger your memory for each point.

Make flash cards.

Practice past exam papers.

Mind maps.

Photos/diagrams to stimulate key words.

Use the internet to help you – BBC Bitesize, YouTube etc

Auditory

Make up lyrics to a song you like that will help you to remember key ideas or content.

Mnemonics.

Work with a friend and test each other on questions or teach each other– remember you

are doing this to study so don’t just chat!

Make a podcast or record notes and listen to them as often as you can.

Kinaesthetic

Write information on post-its or posters and stick them around the room.

Associate information with actions.

Make a PowerPoint.

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MIND MAPS – diagrams for a central topic / theme with branches radiating outwards.

A good technique for planning and organising notes on a specific topic. Mind maps help you to

structure and classify ideas and information but also help to visualise and solve problems. This

can be a very effective way of grouping and linking different point / themes in a clear and

memorable way. (Use Google Images to find further examples of Mind Maps)

POST-IT NOTES

Placing post-it notes around your room,

or places that you frequently visit, will

serve as visual, repetitive reminders of

the information displayed.

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INDEX CARDS

These can be highly effective revision aids allowing you to break down information into smaller

units under key headings. You could write a key word or point on one side of the card and an

explanation on the other side. This allows you to read through the key points using them to trigger

memory before checking accuracy of recall on the other side. You could also use this for

remembering key terminology words and their definitions. Index cards are useful as they allow

sorting and grouping of ideas in different ways and make it easy for other people to test out your

knowledge. They are also a handy size suitable for a blazer pocket!

MEMORY AIDS

Mnemonics – help you to remember by using short words or first letters that stand for something.

Colours of the rainbow

Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet

Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

North American Great Lakes

HOMES – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior

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If you can identify the things that stop you studying, it makes it more likely that you can avoid

them and focus on your work. Make your own list of the things that stop you from getting down

to studying in the left hand column, and then suggest a simple solution which could help this.

THINGS THAT STOP ME STUDYING HOW COULD I SOLVE THIS?

TV

Use TV as a reward e.g. I will watch The Flash after I have completed a Maths topic for revision.

If you need help in achieving any of your suggestions, who could you ask?

What stops me from

studying?

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Revision Timetable

Use this to plan your time. Make sure you allocate enough time to each subject/topic area and

plan in any social/sporting/extra-curricular commitments to ensure you are not rushed!

Ensure no more than 45 minutes non-stop revision at a time.

Have a break to get a snack, drink plenty of water.

Be proactive! Simply reading your notes and classwork is not helpful enough –

make notes, mind maps etc and use a variety of techniques. Colour helps! Work

with a partner and test each other. Share knowledge and teach each other on

topics you are unsure about.

Spread your subjects out otherwise you could get bored. Plan your time and spend

enough time on every subject.

Think about other commitments (family, sport, music lessons etc. And plan your

time carefully. Think ahead to avoid panic.

Lots of regular revision, fitted into your normal routine, is a lot better than lots of

mainc revision the night before. Be organised and don’t panic!

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SUBJECT COMPUTING

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

45 minute examination in class.

Word processing and presentation software (features and use) E-safety and internet use Legal aspects of computing (copyright, computer misuse, etc.) Spreadsheets: features and formulae

Computing concepts (hardware and networks)

Review the contents in your book and the presentations on student

shared for the first four projects.

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SUBJECT DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

55 minute written exam Both Food and Product Design elements will be included.

There will be a drawing/design element to the exam as well as

written answers. Students will need drawing equipment

(including pencil crayons) as well and a pen.

· Isometric Drawing

· Orthographic Drawing

· Rendering

· Workshop tools, equipment and process of making (e.g.

laminating, sawing, drilling etc.)

· Food and Nutrition – Health and hygiene, Sensory analysis, Eat

well guide (different sections and functions of nutrients),

Healthy/balanced diets.

Year 7 exercise books from this year, revision list will be issued on Show My Homework.

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SUBJECT ENGLISH

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

There will be two exam papers.

Paper one = reading. 1 hour.

There is an extract from a book which students have to read and there

will be 3 questions asking students to comment on the effect of the

author’s use of words, sentences and structural devices.

They will need to select evidence from the text and justify their

opinions.

Paper two = writing. 30 minutes and will be a fictional piece of writing

based on a picture.

Recap on the Point, Evidence, and Analysis technique. Remember to

include a layered analysis and what you think the author’s message is.

Read the notes in exercise books about the ways authors use language.

Practise writing short pieces of descriptive writing based on pictures.

Read and remind yourself of stories you have read so you can magpie

good ideas for your own writing, just like a real author does!

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SUBJECT GEOGRAPHY

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

45 min exam consisting of multiple choice, short answer and extended

response questions.

Map skills – symbols, Four and Six figure grid references, measuring

distance using scale, compass directions, showing height using contour

lines, latitude and longitude, Britain/UK/British Isles.

Rivers and flooding

Manchester – location, population and urbanisation

Who am I? – Identities, local areas, mental maps.

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/

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SUBJECT HISTORY

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

One hour long exam. A mixture of recall and skills questions will be

included.

Content

William the conqueror and the Battle of Hastings

Life in the Middle Ages – Religion / Black Death

Power and control of Kings – problems and skills

Crusades

Skills

Describe past events or features of the past.

Compare sources for similarities or differences.

Explain different interpretations.

Evaluate the usefulness or reliability of sources.

Explain causes and consequences.

1. Revsion tips given to students to prepare them for the exam. Use

exemplar questions and tips in exercise books for guidance.

2. Create cards and mind maps opf the topics above using books,

classwork and websites below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/uk_through_time/religion_thro

ugh_time/revision/3/

https://www.keystagehistory.co.uk/free-samples/what-can-we-learn-

about-medieval-churches-from-the-outside-and-inside-2/

http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages/kings_and_court.php

https://www.quora.com/What-would-it-have-been-like-to-be-a-medieval-

king

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/the_black_death/

revision/6/

https://prezi.com/nhuri53shwgf/the-long-and-short-term-effects-from-

the-black-death/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consequences_of_the_Black_Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8kAnC5m4oc

Please also use the revision guide which is on SMHW.

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SUBJECT MATHS

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

All topics covered this year need to be reviewed. Questions may also

make use of methods from Key Stage 2.

Students will sit two 55 minute papers.

Paper one is a non-calculator paper.

Paper two is a calculator paper. Students must have a scientific

calculator.

Maths equipment needed for all papers- protractor, compass, ruler,

pencil and pen. We will not have enough equipment to lend to the

whole year group so it is important that students bring their own

equipment.

There will be further tests taken in class later before the end of the

year.

Students are placed in sets from Year 8. The Year 7 exam will go a long

way in helping to decide the setting.

MyMaths practice.

Make revision cards

Read through all the notes in exercise books.

KS3 Study Club Thursdays afterschool in MA4.

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SUBJECT MUSIC

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

Year 7 Music exam is 50 minutes long and has a listening test of about 10 minutes and 40 minutes written test. Elements of Music and their meanings eg Pitch - high / low Graphic scores - what are they and what could the symbols represent. Instruments of the orchestra - what are the 4 families and which instruments can be found in each family? (Orchestral diagram in books will help) Notation - treble clef notes EGBDF and FACE (count the notes from the bottom of the stave up on both lines and spaces) Notation - rhythm and note values. Know what notes are called e.g. crotchet, how long they last and what they look like when written down. Folk Music - students need to know what folk music is where it comes from, instruments and features.

All the information needed is in exercise books but additional help can be found online at BBC Bitesize KS4 and it has some online tests for the instruments / notation etc.

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SUBJECT RE

Exam

Format and

Content

Revision

All questions relate to the work you have done this year on suffering, evil and being religious in Britain today.

It is 45 minutes exam.

All answers will be written in the booklet provided. Spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed. It is a closed book exam.

Your teacher will go through the exam structure with you prior to the lesson. Review all work.

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SUBJECT

SCIENCE

Exam Format

and Content

Revision

One 60 minute Science exam paper. Biology

Cells, Tissues and Organs (Term 1) Nutrition and Digestion (Term 2)

Chemistry

Health and Safety (Term 1) Simple Chemical Reactions (Term 2) Solutions (Term 2)

Physics Energy resources (Term 2) Forces (Term 1) Particles (Term 1) Electricity (Term 2)

Multiple choice questions, short answer questions and matching ideas and diagrams to access knowledge.

Assessment of understanding of scientific principles involving the interpretation of graphs and data and planning investigations. You may also need to plot graphs.

Longer answer responses to access the Quality of Written Communication. Marks appear with each question. Students must ensure that they make sufficient points to meet the number of marks available. All pupils take the same paper. The questions are common to all but are increasingly demanding, giving pupils access to levels 5-7. Learn the key facts for each unit. Visit the BBC Bitesize Website. Use the text books available on Moodle to help you review the topics. Use the Kerboodle resources. Students are advised to undertake active forms of revision such as making question and answer cards to quiz their friends.

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Lesson Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Maths Paper 1 Geography DT

2 Maths Paper 2

3 Computing Music English Paper 2

4 Science

5 RE English Paper 1 History

What revision materials do I need each day?

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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Notes