Stagnating results?

[kop123]

Hi,
(This is for Methods and Biology) After doing many practice exams, my results are failing to improve. I have tried to revise the course thoroughly but I think I have reached the point where my results are no longer dependent on my knowledge, but my performance on the actual exam. What can I do to improve my results?

[The Usual Student]

Hi,
(This is for Methods and Biology) After doing many practice exams, my results are failing to improve. I have tried to revise the course thoroughly but I think I have reached the point where my results are no longer dependent on my knowledge, but my performance on the actual exam. What can I do to improve my results?

Do this for the next 10 prac exams
1) Record the mistakes you make
2) Put down the reason for why you made that mistake --> Simple mistake: Multiplied instead of times or Conceptual Mistake: Didn't see a subtle nuance
3) Over time you should see a pattern in the mistakes you are making
4) This seems obvious but really find a way you wont replicate these mistakes. Eg I always add numbers when I should multiply because I write so fast my X looks like +. So I started using dots and saved all those marks.

It is really a trial and error type of attitude but it is effective and helps

I could give some more direct advice if u mention where you are specifically loosing marks.

[kop123]

Do this for the next 10 prac exams
1) Record the mistakes you make
2) Put down the reason for why you made that mistake --> Simple mistake: Multiplied instead of times or Conceptual Mistake: Didn't see a subtle nuance
3) Over time you should see a pattern in the mistakes you are making
4) This seems obvious but really find a way you wont replicate these mistakes. Eg I always add numbers when I should multiply because I write so fast my X looks like +. So I started using dots and saved all those marks.

It is really a trial and error type of attitude but it is effective and helps

I could give some more direct advice if u mention where you are specifically loosing marks.

Thank you for replying. In methods, I tend to make silly mistakes when copying from line to line in my working. For example, sometimes I switch plus's and minuses when trying to transpose an equation or simply just copying one part into another line

In biology, I struggle with "explain" questions. There are usually 2 parts to an "explain" question but I have trouble figuring out what those are.

Thank you!

[The Usual Student]

Thank you for replying. In methods, I tend to make silly mistakes when copying from line to line in my working. For example, sometimes I switch plus's and minuses when trying to transpose an equation or simply just copying one part into another line

In biology, I struggle with "explain" questions. There are usually 2 parts to an "explain" question but I have trouble figuring out what those are.

Thank you!

Methods: That Usually happens because you memorise what happened in line 1 then write what happens in line 2. Like when I want to quote someone, i google the quote, remember it in my short term memory then write it down. Hence, you can make mistakes. What I say you do is you write out line 2 whilst looking at line 1 or you can say line 1 in your head over and over again whilst your write out line 2 so you don't make any mistakes.

Biology: I recommend dissecting the questions and writing a mini plan out before you answer it, "Explain how enzymes and Nucleic acids are related" ( 2 marks)
Generally we know the answer but struggle finding the 2 marks so I say look for the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS in your answer. So for this example the most important thing about the relationship is that -- " DNA is a nucleic acid which codes for proteins and enzymes are proteins" So its probably 1 mark for how DNA codes for proteins and 1 mark for linking Enzymes to proteins.
It usually flows very logically