Year 9 AssessmentsRevision Guidance

Revision organiser

• Get a list of the topics you need to revise.• Create a revision timetable.• Plan to revise in 30mins sessions – identify a topic, or two, per 30mins session.

• Before you start, rank the topics you need to cover from most to least confidence. Begin with the topics lowest on the list.

• Reduce the amount of information you have down to essential parts of the knowledge. You can do this by:

• Creating mind maps or flash cards. • Creating Crib sheets – these are like pages from a revision guide with all the essential information. • Making your own knowledge organiser or summary sheet of the topics.

• Use these strategies to learn the information so that you can recall it easily.

• Look/cover/write/check (Possibly using flash cards/mindmaps) • Read and repeat information for 2-3 minutes, do something else for 10 minutes and then try to recreate from memory. • Complete exam/assessment questions and then go back and self-mark. Fill in the gaps in a different coloured pen. Revise the bits you missed again. • Plan responses to essay style questions.

• Low stakes testing - Easy, quick quizzes which test small pieces of knowledge. This works well for simple facts, dates, key words or important formulae. You must complete some low stakes testing within 24 hours of revising a topic to anchor learning in your memory.

• High stakes testing - These are longer exam style questions which apply knowledge as you would have to in the exam. These should be completed within 48-72 hours of revising a topic and then repeated regularly to keep your revision ‘fresh’.

• To be ‘exam ready’ make sure you practice answering questions in time conditions.

PLANNING AND ORGANISING

GATHERING AND FILTERING

LEARN

REPEAT AND TEST

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

STAGE 4

The Basics: simple ideas to help you revise

• Design a revision timetable and follow it – a blank template can be found on our website

• Find a quiet and dedicated place to study and avoid distractions

• Revise little and often

• Make your revision sessions active and varied

Use Different Techniques Make Notes

• Bold Headings

• Colours

• Use a highlighter

• Underline key words

Mind Maps

Use Flashcards

• Great for learning key terms and vocabulary

• Write the ‘term’ on one side and the definition on the other

Use Websites and Online Tutorials

• Lots available for most subjects

• BBC Bitesize

Use the guidance on the following pages to help you prepare for specific subjects. Please be

aware that due to the practical nature of some assessments (Music, Art etc) there is not always a

lot of preparation that can be done – other than making sure that you come properly equipped

and ready to try your best!

Science

Conserving Energy - What I need to know• Use the key words pivot, load and effort correctly in a diagram to show a lever

at work.

• Calculate the moment of a force, and be able to use the correct units

• State the 8 different types of energy stores and be able to identify some pathways through which stored energy is transferred

• Be able to use the equation GPE = mgh

• Calculate the KE in a system from the GPE, using the correct units

• Be able to calculate energy lost in a system

• Recall that a graph that obeys Hooke's Law will always be a straight line with the force and extension directly proportional

• Calculate the area under the force-extension graph and state what this represents

• Calculate the gradient of a force-extension graph and state what this represents

• Be able to state what affect endothermic and exothermic reactions would have on the temperature of a reaction

ScienceRearranging Atoms - What I need to know

• Describe endothermic and exothermic reactions

• State what is meant by rate of reaction

• State the four factors that affect rate of reaction

• Explain how these factors affect the rate of reaction

• Describe how a catalyst works

• State what a metal oxide and a non-metal oxide are

• Describe the types of solutions that both metal and non-metal oxides make (referring to pH)

• Describe how a non-metal oxide can lead to acid rain

Science

Photosynthesis & Respiration - What I need to know

• Know that respiration is a different process to breathing

• Describe where and how cells obtain energy

• Recall the effects of exercise on pulse rate, breathing rate and use of oxygen

• Describe the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration

• Recall the word equation for anaerobic respiration and some examples of when it occurs

• State the photosynthesis equation and describe where all the reactants come from

• Explain how leaves carry out photosynthesis

• Explain the effect of exercise on glycogen stores

Geography• The assessment will be based on

three topics:

Weird and Wonderful

• Components of an ecosystem

• Describing the location of biomes

• The characteristics of the Tropical Rainforest (climate graphs, vegetation, animal adaptations)

• The characteristics of Hot Deserts (Climate graphs, vegetation, animal adaptations)

Population

• What is population

• Population Pyramids

• Demographic Transition Model

• Population Density and Distribution

• Overpopulation

• Population Control

Development

• Measuring development

• Factor influencing development

• World development

• Development gap

History

The Year 9s will need to know information from the ‘Roaring 20’s’ through to the Wall Street Crash, as well as the causes of WWii. Chronologically, this is basically 1919 to 1939.

There will be three questions in the assessment and we will cover exam technique in the lessons prior to the assessment. However it is important for the students to also revise content independently.

To help, some useful PowerPoints have been put into a folder in:

Student Resources>Subjects>Key Stage 3>History>Year 9 2019 Assessment Fortnight History

Any videos used in class will be here, either as explicit links or hyperlinked pictures.

Students can also find a wealth of resources online. They are encouraged to look over the work they have done in their exercise books to help too. If they have any queries, they can ask their teacher or any other member of the history team for help.

Music

• Students will be carrying out a baseline test that will include:

• Note recognition

• Pitch recognition

• Elements of music theory that we have looked at this year.

• Visit this website and look up exercises and lessons on note identification, note construction, keyboard note identification and keyboard reverse identification.

• https://www.musictheory.net

Maths

There will be a 1 ½ hour non calculator on the Wednesday and a 1 ½ hour calculator paper on the Thursday. You need to make sure that you are familiar with all of the following processes:

Algebra

• Solving linear equations

• Drawing straight line graphs Y=MX+C

• Generating sequences using term to term rule

• Writing formulae in algebra

• Simplifying expressions in index notation

• Factorising quadratics, including difference of two squares

• Understanding and solving inequalities

• Writing equations involving direct and inverse proportion

• Re-arranging formulae

• Expanding double brackets

MathsShape Space Measures

• Convert between metric measures

• Properties of 2D shapes

• Properties of 3D shapes; faces, edges, vertices

• Using angle facts to solve geometrical problems

• Converting between metric and imperial units

• Construct angle bisector and drawing loci

• Speed, distance and time calculations

• Interpreting distance time graphs

• Completing Venn diagrams

• Solving angle problems

• Circumference and area of circles

• Areas of triangles

• Plotting co-ordinates

• Volume and surface area of cubes

Maths

Data Handling

• Interpreting graphs

• Calculating mean, median, mode & range

• Calculating probabilities

• Completing frequency trees

Number

• Conversion between fractions, decimals and percentages

• Adding & subtracting positive and negative numbers

• Long division

• Adding & subtracting fractions

• Understanding and using ratios

• Converting ratios into fractions

• Writing numbers in standard form

• Recognising square and cube numbers

• Calculating percentages of amounts and single interest

English

Exam Time - 1 hour & 45 mins

• The exam is composed a reading and a writing section. Please spend 1 hour on the reading section, and 45 minutes on the writing section: Reading (Section A), Writing (Section B).

SECTION A: 3 reading questions (50 minutes answering questions, 10 minutes reading the text)

• You will have 10 minutes of compulsory reading time to read one fiction extract. In this allocated time, you will be expected to highlight and annotate key parts of the texts relevant to the reading questions.

• I strongly advise that you read the questions first so you know in advance what to highlight as you are reading!

EnglishQuestion 1: List 4 things (5 minutes)

• In this section, you will need to identify four pieces of information related to what the question is

asking you to look for.

Question 2: How does the writer use language? (22 minutes)

• You need to explore how the writer uses language (language means vocabulary, literary devices,

punctuation, sentence construction) to create meaning.

• Remember to PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). The quality of your analysis (why the writer

makes the choices that they do) is what will gain you the most marks.

• Explain hidden meaning – what are the connotations of particular words? How and why are devices

used? What image or effect do they create?

English

Question 3: How does the writer use structural features to create a ---------- mood? (23 minutes)

• In this question, you will look at the structure of the whole text, and explain how it creates

certain feelings for the reader, and what mood it evokes.

• You will be asked to identify and explain the effects of a range of structural devices, such as

withholding information, repetition, paragraph structure, beginnings & endings, sentence

structure and flashbacks.

• Remember to PEEL and explain the hidden meaning behind structural choices.

English

SECTION B: Writing (45 minutes)

• There will be a choice of two writing tasks: write a description based on a picture, or a story

based on a topic given. You must choose one writing task only.

• Try to spend the first 5 minutes planning, 35 minutes writing and 5 minutes checking

expression, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

• You should use a range of literary devices for effect. Also, try to build an image for the reader

by using an interesting range of descriptive vocabulary, sentence structures and punctuation

for effect.

• Pay close attention to your structure and use of paragraphs. Remember TipTop. Organisation

forms part of your mark, which is why it is important to plan.

• You will also get a mark for your SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar), so it is important

to check work thoroughly.

English

REVISION:

• Use the notes in your exercise book to revise the structure of PEEL paragraphs and what to include for

each question.

• You need to be familiar with all the literary devices (similes, metaphors, alliteration, hyperbole etc.),

word classes (noun, verb, adjective, adverb), and structural devices (flashbacks, withholding

information, repetition etc). Spend time memorising these.

• You could play the literary terms/devices games on e-chalk and Quizlet websites.

• Practise writing descriptions on interesting pictures. Use a thesaurus to develop your vocabulary and

memorise new words.

Good luck!

RE – Human Rights & Social Justice

• Kerboodle Log-In Instructions

• Use the textbook for your revision!

• https://www.kerboodle.com/users/login Click on this link

• Your user name is just your school number (not the rest of your email) your Password is the same

number. (you will be prompted to change it- you don’t have to) the institution code is vbl7 (lowercase

letters)

• You will then be able to access the RE books for Christianity and Buddhism.

• For this assessment you will need to revise from Chapter 8 in both the Christianity and Buddhism

textbooks.

RE - Resources

• Go to Resources/Subjects/Key Stage 3/RE/Year 9 Assessment Fortnight

• You will find revision sheets on each of the topics covered

in the Human Rights and Social Justice theme.

• R:\Subjects\Key Stage 3\RE\YEAR 9 ASSESSMENT FORTNIGHT

• Look at the resources that cover the following topics (also listed on the

Table of Contents page in the textbooks)

1. Social Justice and Human Rights

2. Prejudice and Discrimination

3. Religious Freedom

4. Prejudice and Discrimination: Disability and Race

5. Christian Teachings About Wealth

6. Poverty and Its Causes

7. Exploitation of the Poor

8. Giving Money to the Poor (Charity)

For the 1-mark question you will be given a multiple choice question and you need to choose the

right answer. Make sure not to fall for trick answers!

For the 2-mark question you will need to give 2 examples or facts. You do not need to elaborate on

these, and do not waste time giving extra examples, as you only get 2 marks.

For the 4-mark question you will be asked to ‘explain’. You need to give 2 points, and to get full marks you

must develop or justify both. You can think of it as being a mark per point and a mark for developing each

point. This should show that you understand the information as well as being able to recall it. The question

may ask for 2 contrasting beliefs – in this case make sure that the beliefs you use are different, and not just

the same argument given by 2 different religions. You must refer to Christianity as one of the chosen religions.

The 5-mark question is very similar to the 4-mark question, but the beliefs do not need to be contrasting, and

you may refer to any religious beliefs, which do not need to include Christianity. Also, as well as making 2 points

and developing/justifying both you should refer to at least 1 piece of scripture/religious writing (as well as your

development/justification). Again, try to make sure your points are as different as possible so that the person

marking gives you credit for every point/development you make.

The 12-mark question is the longest and there is a little more to remember. You will need to evaluate a statement.

This means giving arguments and justification for and against the statement (agreeing with it and also suggesting an

alternative point of view). Make sure you have good reasons for all the points you make and link them together well.

To get top marks you need to come to a conclusion; picking the most convincing side of the argument (based on the

arguments you have given!) and saying why you think this is the case. You need to refer to religious views, and unless

you have a lot of different religious arguments, it is a good idea to refer to non-religious views as well.

RE

iFARM Advice on how to structure your answer on the 12 Mark Questions

Introduction – Explain the statement/key words. This helps to focus your response. Say what the statement means, what the key-words are talking about.For – Give arguments that support the statementAgainst – Give arguments to oppose the statementReligious view – Make sure you refer to religious views or teachings at some point in your answer. Make sure you fully develop this for the top marks. Perhaps talk about a relevant Biblical story and explain how it connects to the statement.Me – Make sure you give your opinion. For the top marks you need to be evaluating the arguments for and against throughout. This could be by commenting/explaining the strengths /weaknesses of the argument

The examiners are only expecting you to spend 12-15 minutes on your answer so do not write too much. Separate your answer into paragraphs to help the flow.

Each paragraph should be a Peel paragraph – Point, Explanation, Evidence (expansion) and Link (either to the question or the next point)

Computing

Students should revise the following topics to prepare for their assessment.

Photoshop

• Students should be familiar with the most commonly used tools in Photoshop and be able to explain why they are effective.

• Advantages/ disadvantages of various tools and techniques in Photoshop

• Layering and Masking

Animation

• Students should be able to describe various types of animation and give examples of each including advantages and disadvantages along with Software that might be used.

• Advantages and disadvantages of the following:

• Stop motion Animation

• Claymation

• Computer Generated Animation

ComputingNetworks

• The Internet

• How do the internet and World Wide Web differ

• How web addresses are constructed

• Understand how packet switching works

Web Addresses

• Learn the different parts of a web address

• Investigate who owns particular domain names

• Learn how web addresses are converted into IP addresses

Types of Network

• Learn the difference between LAN and WAN

• Be able to describe advantages and disadvantages of computer networks

• Describe 3 different network topologies

Client Server Networks- Peer- to- peer network

• Understand what constitutes a client-server network

• Contrast a client-server network with a peer-to-peer network

• Be able to list advantages and disadvantages of each model

• Understand what is meant by cloud computing

• List the main advantages of cloud computing

Art• Still Life Observational Drawing – 1 Hour, Pencil on Paper

• Still life observational drawing of mass-produced food packaging

• You will be assessed on the following 3 areas:

1. Tone – Have you shown areas of light and dark (1-10)? Have you added shadow? Have you blended to tone?

2. Form – have you drawn the 3D shapes accurately? Have you drawn the correct angles and perspective for each shape? Have you captured the curves/ellipses of the cans and bottles? Have you not pointed the ellipses?

3. Realistic – how realistic is the observational drawing? Have you captured the shadows’ individual shapes? Have you shown the detailed shapes of the packaging? Have you added the texture of the packaging using a variety of mark-making techniques?

LanguagesStudents should make sure they are familiar with the following topics within the language they study, including the relevant grammar points.

Spanish

• Module 1 – Las vacaciones

• Holiday activities – what you normally do, what you did on a past holiday, where you stayed

• Weather –different types of weather

• Module 2- El insti

• School - subjects and opinions on them, facilities, describing your school, uniform, school rules, describing your teachers, after-school clubs and achievements

• Grammar: present tense, preterite (pas) tense, and near future (voy a…). You should be able to apple to recognise a range of tenses.

• Revise negatives, saying how long you have been doing something for (desde hace…) and a range of opinions

Languages

German

• School – opinions on subjects and teachers, school uniform, school facilities, school rules

(using modal verbs), describing a school trip you have been on

• Free time and leisure – sports, activities, how often you do these things

• Books, film and TV programmes – give extended opinions

• Grammar: present tense, perfect tense (Ich habe Fuβball gespielt), future tense (Ich werde

Schokolade essen), modal verbs (mϋssen, kӧnnen & dϋrfen), using weil and obwohl,

expressing preferences using gern, lieber & am liebsten, and saying haow long you have

been doing something for using seit (Ich spiele seit 10 Jahren Guitarre).

• Higher students should also revise the imperfect tense (Ich ging, Ich hatte, Ich aβ)

LanguagesFrench

Module 1

• Self and Family – family members, describing people and their personalities, family relationships

Module 2

• Free Time and Leisure – sports, music, technology, TV programmes and films

• Grammar: present tense, perfect (past) tense, near future tense, using depuis to say how long you

have done something for, key verbs e.g aller, etre, avoir, faire

• Higher students should also revise: imperfect tense, irregular present tense verbs, superlative

adjectives and direct object pronouns (le, la, les

The following revision materials can be used for all subjects:

• Memrise – sign up and search for AQA GCSE French/Spanish/German

• Duolingo - free app for Android and Apple devices