Studying for Bio Exam

[homeworkisapotato]

1. I didn't use NEAP question banks and can't officially give feedback but generally NEAP does pretty good bio exams so sounds great 
2. I had forgotten and had to go check my notes but I did...25-30 minutes for multiple choice and then 15 minutes for every 12 marks in the ER (leaving about around 15 minutes to check). Eg. after the first twelve marks I'd write 10:00 and then after the next twelve marks 10:15 and so on. Try to find a way that works best for you and stick with that.
3. Looks great! Just do your best and if you are ever in the mindset for not doing a practice exam don't worry too much if you skip a day (as five a week is a lot so don't feel bad if you skip a few here and there. Imo there is no use doing a practice exam if you're not in the headspace to get anything out of it).
All the best!

Thank you so much Choco!!
I asked my very strict Bio teacher to mark my exam and turns out I had taken out marks that I actually got right! I ended up getting 88/104 in the end (not out of 120 because some of the content got cut out) but I'm not sure if it's a good mark? I noticed that half of these marks were lost in the experimental design section and I'm feeling very scared because despite an entire year's work I've always lost marks in experimental design. Do you have any tips for revising experimental design?

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Thank you so much Choco!!
I asked my very strict Bio teacher to mark my exam and turns out I had taken out marks that I actually got right! I ended up getting 88/104 in the end (not out of 120 because some of the content got cut out) but I'm not sure if it's a good mark? I noticed that half of these marks were lost in the experimental design section and I'm feeling very scared because despite an entire year's work I've always lost marks in experimental design. Do you have any tips for revising experimental design?

The best way to improve is practice! I'm sorry that I don't have one quick trick to fix it but exposing yourself to as many experimental design questions as you can is really the best way forward. When doing these questions I'd suggest...
1. REFER TO DATA: Always refer to the SPECIFIC data given in the question. The examiners want to know you have considered all the information they've given you and used this to come to a conclusion. So support your conclusions with evidence given from the question!
2. REVISE COMMON QUESTIONS: Maybe put together a list of "common" experimental design questions and brainstorm/note down the suggested responses you have seen before. For example, often you'll be asked for a limitation of the experiment or about errors. If you've been exposed to these questions and strong answers to these questions before, it will be much easier to come up with something specific to the experiment you've been given in the actual exam.
3. REVISE TERMS: Revise all your experimental design terminology (check the study design to see what you have to know) including all the obvious things such as dependent, independent and controlled variables, different types of errors, reproducibility, repeatability, validity, etc. Also, you can check here on the VCAA website for good definitions of these terms VCAA measurement terms
4. TIMING: Leave enough time! There tends to be an experimental design question last on the exam and if you find such questions difficult, it's likely that it will take a bit longer. Make sure you are thoroughly reading the question too (especially in reading time).
5. SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS: For these questions I'd suggest closely looking at the suggested solutions and make sure you've exposed yourself to a number of strong, full-mark responses. I feel like this can really help you form your own conclusions when looking at a foreign experiment.

The good thing is, at least you are aware that it is a weak point (lots of students just like to ignore that experimental design is a thing) and now that you are aware of it, you can improve!

Also I just wanted to mention that I know you did the 2017 VCAA exam and the experimental design on that one was quite tricky from memory. So that is a brilliant score, especially for just starting out!