Biology Books/Notes Units 3/4 2012 Advice

[ggxoxo]

I dislike checkpoints, didn't touch it for U4. Basically, for bio, you do the VCAA 06 - 11

If you want, you then go onto the prev study design '98 - '05 i believe (very similar for U4 in particular)

If not, you don't have to.

Just get A+
Books that say Jump Start are generally bad :\ Never heard of it, probably means it's not very reputable and less likely to be comprehensive and useful.

I think checkpoints is good for Unit 3 Biol cause it gives relevant qns outside the current design that are actually really good! And I agree with Bazza- just get A+ notes; they're awesome!

[WhoTookMyUsername]

I dislike checkpoints, didn't touch it for U4. Basically, for bio, you do the VCAA 06 - 11

If you want, you then go onto the prev study design '98 - '05 i believe (very similar for U4 in particular)

If not, you don't have to.

Just get A+
Books that say Jump Start are generally bad :\ Never heard of it, probably means it's not very reputable and less likely to be comprehensive and useful.

I think checkpoints is good for Unit 3 Biol cause it gives relevant qns outside the current design that are actually really good! And I agree with Bazza- just get A+ notes; they're awesome!

I disagree here. One of the main differences between my U3/U4 study was not touching checkpoints for U4 and i felt much better prepared.
The questions written by cambridge themselves are very shallow and ridiculously easy; or they're just not the type of questions VCAA would ask. Much better to save VCAA questions for doing each as a full exam i reckon.

[HERculina]

Depends on how you study. I know someone who did the whole checkpoints book and ended up wih a very very good score. Anyway, for the actual exams, i found that you should use reading time to your advantage especially if you work slow - when reading time started i immediately read the last page first and quickly went over the other SA questions from there and when there was five mins left of reading time i aimed to do at least 10 of the MC in my head. That way, if you only have a few minutes remaining at the end you can quickly do the last ones or know which questions can be easily done withthe time remaining. This is what really made a difference to unit 3 exam where i didn't finish the exam to unit 4 one where i did

[mr.politiks]

Hey guys.

For bio, best thing is to get  a very good set of summary notes for yourself from multiple resources (tsfx notes, tutor notes, text book). This set of notes should be king. Use it for solid revision of concepts before the exam.

Next, use both NEAP and A+ (not checkpoints) for SAC revision. If you're SAC is not exam style question based, then really try to get an understanding of scientific method and read deeply into the topic under question. (e.g: for a SAC on thermoregulation, i read really really deeply into various different aspects of thermoregulation, including from unit 1 and 2, and also random books from library). Bio SACs will often go deep into a very specific area of the course in the form of an experiment or prac.

For the exam, do at least 20, if not 30 exams for each unit. Repeat the VCAA exams, until your living and breathing VCAA. It's best to have a very solid understanding of VCAA and its question styles and style of approach to testing youre knowledge. Exams also help with exposure to various situations, and chances are that in the real thing you won't be aplying knowledge to something completely foreign, but something youv'e seen before.

As you do exams, regularly revise notes as well as make a log book of the errors (conceptual errors and careless errors) that you made in your trial exams. Revise the log book regularly as well. In the log book, also include model answers for common question types (transcription, translation, speciation etc.).

Lastly, motivation and mindset are the most important thing before the exam. Keep a cool head, stay positive, and do your best.

Good luck 

[frebbb]

I am also skipping 1/2, so thank you guys for the recommendations and advice - very helpful!

I would also like to say, Istafa - congrats on the score! It wow'd me a little!!

[pi]

Remember to check this thread too: Biology Advice Megathread

[Hamdog17]

Trust me buy Biology by Campbell it's a bit of an investment at ~$150 but I honestly used it more than my textbook. The information is at a slightly higher level than your average VCE textbook but it's incredibly thorough and has great explanations and diagrams. You can always resell it later or keep it for university if you choose to study biomed/science.

[angelababy]

I found the following helpful:

• Nature of Biology 2 - reference
• NEAP VCE Biology Smartstudy Guides
• Biozone Student Workbook
• TSFX Master classes books -- lots of practise questions
• NEAP/IARTV/STAV Practise Exams

[ggxoxo]

Biozone was really helpful for alternative wording of some key concepts