Exam Techniques
Both exam papers consist of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions. You must answer all the questions.
Calculators can be used in the examination (it can be used for questions like using the Karvonen formula). The marks for each question is important to be aware of, as they give you an indication of how long you should spend on it.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question one of your paper will be multiple choice. You must cross the box which you think is correct, these test AO1/2 knowledge and understanding. To get practice, try out the quizzes.
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2 Mark Questions
These questions are usually a part of a four mark question which is broken down into two parts. In these questions, you must:
1) Make your point
and then
2) Explain your point.
Make sure to always refer back to the question
An example is:
Question) Justify one circuit for Maya in order to optimise her performance in netball.
Answer) She should do ankle raises, increasing the weight every week. This will increase power in the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior, allowing her to jump higher to block a pass in netball.
Or
Simply stating two things (gaining one mark from each statement).
For example:
Identify the two by-products released while producing energy aerobically.
1) Carbon dioxide
2) Water vapour
Three Mark Questions
Similar to two mark questions, for a three mark question you must:
1) Make a point
2) Explain your point
but also
3) Explain how your point affects the performer/situation.
An example of this is:
Question) Protection is a function of the skeletal system. Explain, using one example, how the skeletal system's protective function aids performance in sport and physical activity.
Answer) In a boxing match, the cranium protects the brain. In a match, the cranium takes the impact so the brain doesn't. Therefore the performer can continue performing.
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Four Mark Questions
When looking at four mark questions, you usually answer it as if it were two, two mark questions. So you must structure your question:
1) make your point
2) explain your point
3) make an alternative point
and then
4) explain the alternative point.
An example is:
Question) Explain how the alveoli and capillaries work together to provide the muscles with the oxygen they need for recovery after a long-distance run.
Answer) An increased breathing rate means that the alveoli have a higher concentration of oxygen. Capillaries around the alveoli have a lower concentration. With thin walls, this allows gaseous exchange to take place (from a high to low concentration). As the blood circulates, it provides muscles with oxygen to help recover.
Nine Mark Questions
Extended writing questions are usually at the end of the paper. In each paper, there are two nine mark questions. The structure of this answer is especially important, it must have an introduction and conclusion to gain higher marks.
You must structure your writing in the following way:
1) An introduction - add definitions relevant to the question (AO1)
2) make a point (AO1)
3) Explain your point (A01/2)
4) Explain how your point affects the performer/situation and add an alternative view (AO3)
5) Repeat steps 2-4, two more times with different points
and finally
6) A conclusion - write an overview of the points you spoke about. You could say "In conclusion to the points I made earlier...."
Here is an example of a nine mark question:
Question) Evaluate the use of visual and verbal guidance to improve sports performance with a group of beginners in badminton.
Answer) Visual guidance is when a learner is shown how to perform a skill. Verbal guidance is telling a learner how to do a skill.
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Visual guidance can be used through showing a demonstration or a video. If a demonstration is used, it would be suitable to show a group and can give learners an idea of how to do a skill. In badminton, if a performer is shown how to do a drop shot, they can understand the height and angle of the racket. However, the demonstration must be accurate, otherwise the beginner may pick up the wrong technique as they wouldn't be able to pick the mistake up.
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Verbal guidance can be used to explain a skill to a performer so they get an understanding of a skill. However, if instructions are misheard (for example, if the learners are in a noisy sports hall) learners may not pick up the skill right and would lead to them doing it wrong. On top of this, only talking about a skill may not be helpful, for example, telling a learner how to do a smash shot may not be as helpful as showing them.
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An elite athlete may benefit more from verbal guidance, this is because they do not need to see the skill in action and would know how to do it but may require little guidance in order to perfect their technique. A beginner on the other hand would need both methods of guidance at a high quality to first learn the technique and then perfect it.
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In conclusion, a combination of both methods of guidance would be most effective. A commentary alongside a demonstration would further learning as well as understanding. An example of this can be a coach explaining how to do a flick serve whilst doing it. This would let the student know of their positioning as well as actually executing the skill.
Data Questions
If a question tells you to analyse a piece of data, you must state the patterns it shows you. To go over data analysis, click here.
The number of marks gives you an indication of how many things you must state. You must not explain your answers unless told. Here is an example:
Question) Analyse the data in the table above to determine the trends for each fitness test (3)
Answer) The number of sit-ups in a minute increased by one rep per week, which means that they can maintain posture. 30m sprint test decreased in time this means the person can run faster in their activity. Illinois agility test showed signs of improvement but then increased in time, this shows a sign of reversibility.
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Make three different points for three marks.
