This is a shortened version of the NCEA Report on Exam results for the Standards assessed for 11 PY....some of the general points are of relevance to 10SiA1 as well-so read on Boys!!
General: Level 1 Chemistry
- Students who gained Achievement with Excellence wrote detailed answers demonstrating a good understanding of the concepts. In addition they had clearly carried out practical work and understood and remembered it as this was reflected in their answers
- Other successful students were clearly familiar with a wide range of experiments and were able to describe the observations made in these practicals using correct / appropriate terms, eg describing a solution as colourless not clear
- Writing Balanced Equations was required in many questions
- Remember that charges are required for the formulae of ions, eg Mg2+, but are not required for formulae of compounds, eg Mg(OH)2
- A common mistake was to write inferences and not actual observations, eg stating that CO2 gas forms as opposed to 'fizzing occured'. Carbon Dioxide gas may well have been given off but this was not observed, whereas fizzing or bubbling was observed: Write down observations!
- This is a common mistake:in many cases students did not give the required answers; indicating that they did not read the question carefully!
- Also remember to attempt all questions. Many students did not try all questions, eg only trying 2 questions in a 3 question paper, making it impossible to Achieve.
General: Level 1 Physics
- Most students can answer numerical questions reasonably well. However lack of full workings and understanding of Scientific terms etc prevented more students achieving Merit or Excellence
- Students who were able to express themselves clearly and accurately did well, with those who were able to respond appropriately to 'describe' and 'explain' answering the questions at the appropriate leve
- Some students did not read the questions properly which was reflected in their answers
Overall it is important to know how to do the following to make sure you have the best chance to do well in the NCEA Standards:
A/S 90171: Describe Chemical Reactions:
- Know Precipitation Rxns
- Know a range of practicals and the observations
- Write balanced equations, including ionic equations and the 'role' of spectator ions
- Know Redox Rxns, including the species being reduced and oxidised, know oxidation is the gain of oxygen and/or loss of electrons (reduction being the reverse) and discuss Redox rxns in terms of electron transfer
- Calculate Molar Masses
- Calculate empirical and molecular formulae
- Know the difference between ions and ionic compounds
A/S 90171: Describe Atomic Structure:
- Define Isotopes and the number of Neutrons
- Draw Lewis Diagrams
- Know the difference between ionic and covalent bonds and the importance of particle type and forces of attraction, and thus ionic and covalent compounds
- Know that mobile ions and charged particles are responsible for electrical conductivity
- Know that the electron configuration is linked to reactivity etc
A/S 90183: Demonstrate Understanding of Mechanics in 1 Dimension:
- Know the difference between vector and scalar quantities
- Know how to interpret velocity/time graphs, such as areas under the graph and gradient of the line...
- Identify forces acting on objects and the role of balanced and unbalanced forces and how these impact on motion
- Know how force, pressure, area interact
- Know that work done is dependent on distance covered and force applied
- Understand concepts of conservation of energy (Ep=Ek) and how to calculate distance travelled as well as calculating Ep
A/S 90185: Demonstrate Understanding of Electricity and Magnetism
- Know how objects are charged, only negative charges are displaced during charging in solid objects and the direction of motion of charges
- Know the differences between insulators and conductors
- Understand the relationship between Voltage, Current and Resistance (Ohms Law), how these affect Power Output (P=VI) and know the circuit patterns of voltage and current in series and parallel and how these affect eg brightness of lamps
- Understand Magnetism with respect to fields of attraction between poles, earth's magnetic field and how magnetism is related to electricity
- Know how to work out magnetic field strengths
10 top tips to help with the exams...(well hopefully!!)
- Pay attention in class to revision exercises / classes
- Organise study time at home and don't leave it all until the last minute!
- Practice past papers from the NCEA website and go over sample answer
- Aim for an Excellence before going for the exam and don't just try to scrape an Achieved
- Read each question properly at least once before answering, to make sure you understand what is being asked
- Use the correct units and show full workings with calculations
- Write more not less; you may be surprised and know more than you think you know
- Attempt every question and all parts of each question
- Go over your paper at the end when you think you have finished!
- Even check in with this Blog every so often
