Richard Hale School

Examination Guide

Year 9 Pupils and Parents

2016-2017

April 2017 Dear Pupils and Parents The purpose of this booklet is to provide information on the school examinations for Year 9 this year, and advice on how to prepare for them. Pupils will be prepared in tutor time, with advice on study and revision techniques, and specific preparation for different subjects will take place in the appropriate lessons. Details about the subjects examined are in this booklet. Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Music and RE do not appear because these subjects are not being assessed by formal written papers. For all external examinations, such as GCSE, candidates are now allowed to take equipment into the examination hall only in clear plastic pencil cases. We allow students to take water into examinations but only in clear plastic bottles with non-spill tops, and all labels removed. No other drink is allowed. Mobiles etc are not allowed inside any examination room. 2017 School examinations for Year 9 are 22nd May – 9th June. Pupils are given detailed timetables in the weeks before. We place great importance on these examinations because they enable teachers to assess pupils’ progress in the early phase of their GCSE courses accurately. It is therefore important that your son attends every session. Please note that it is the policy of the Governors of Richard Hale School that work (including examinations) will not be provided for pupils who are absent because of family holidays, either during or after the period of absence. This booklet is available on our website (www.richardhale.herts.sch.uk). If you have any questions about these examinations please contact the School. Yours faithfully Mr M Greenwood Deputy Head

SUBJECT INFORMATION

ENGLISH

Exam Content Exam Format Differentiation Exam Outcome Revision Tips

One paper to cover:

Writing skills Total time given: 1 hour SECTION B: WRITING 60 minutes to complete one piece of creative writing; 40 marks (24 marks for content and organisation & 16 marks for technical accuracy). Students will have the choice of two questions: to respond to a picture stimulus OR to respond to a theme or topic (eg describe a place that is special to you). All students will sit the same examination. Results of this examination will help assist teachers in modifying English groups for Year 10 if necessary.

Students will be given practice in class/for homework – review these and any targets given

Find an interesting picture and write a description of it

MATHEMATICS

Exam Content Exam Format Differentiation Exam Outcome Revision Tips

Paper 1 Non Calculator Paper Paper 2 Calculator Paper Both papers will test the student’s knowledge of :-

Number and Algebra

Shape, Space and Measures

Handling Data

Non calculator Paper – 30 mins Calculator Paper – 30 mins

- protractor, ruler, pencil & compass required for both - equipment will not be provided by school

Pupils will sit papers at differentiated levels according to their ability

GCSE grades will be awarded according to results

All students have been given a detailed topic revision list appropriate to their tier of entry

They are available on Google Classroom

Use www.mymaths.co.uk and practise using the on-line homework – see your Maths teacher for login details

Revision books and work books (each @£3, or £5 for both) are available from Mrs Laker

SCIENCE

Exam Content Exam Format Differentiation Exam Outcome Revision Tips

Biology examination may include questions on the following topics that you have been taught this year, including: Cells - including specialised cells, stem cells, bacteria and microscopes. Culturing microorganisms, chromosomes, mitosis. Diffusion and osmosis. Tissues organs and systems – including the digestive system, enzymes and bile. Transport – including the heart, blood vessels and blood. Heart disease and cancer. Xylem and phloem. Chemistry examination may include questions from the topics that you have been taught this year, including: Atomic structure and the periodic table, Bonding, structure and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry. Conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations Physics examination may include questions from the topics that you have been taught this year, including: Heat – conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation; insulation; specific heat capacity. Energy and efficiency. Electricity transfer. Generation and transfer of electricity. Waves used to transmit energy. Transverse and longitudinal waves. Electromagnetic spectrum. Sound. Red-shift. Evidence for big-bang (CMBR) One 60 minute exam for each science. All pupils will sit the same examination. All examinations will consist of foundation and higher tier questions.

A GCSE level will be awarded for each science according to results.

Use the revision guide that you have been provided with.

Learn definitions of key words

Use online revision materials, eg GCSEPod, BBC Bitesize

The App ‘Gojimo’

Make notes in the manner you find best: consider spider diagrams, lists, memory maps or diagrams

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Exam Content Exam Format Differentiation Exam Outcome Revision Tips

Paper 1 Listening (in class) Paper 2 Reading (in class) Paper 3 Writing (in class) Listening – 30 minutes (Foundation)/40 minutes (Higher)

A past AQA exam paper will form the basis of the listening exam. Reading – 60 minutes

A new exam paper based on the new GCSE specification format. Pupils are expected to read short and longer texts and answer questions; exercises may include true/false responses, gap-fill and ranking activities.

Writing – 60 minutes (based on the topics we have studied this year) 1. Photo question - Describe what you see in the picture 2. Paragraph - Answer the question (this will be based on a topic studied this year and given in advance of the exam) 3. Translation – From French/German to English Differentiated examination papers for sets 1-2 and set 3.

Results of these examinations will contribute towards set changes in both languages. We will combine the year 9 speaking into the examination results to give a four skill GCSE grade.

Refer to revision lists provided by MFL teachers and revise topic by topic, eg use vocabulary book and vocabulary sections at the end of each unit in the text book.

You will be told in advance the question for the paragraph in French – prepare an answer in advance of what you would like to write.

Use www.languagesonline.org.uk to practise reading and grammar skills

Refer to GetHw for past paper practice: R:\Depts\MFL\Revision resources - Past Papers\GCSE

Revise and practise specific grammar points – refer to your exercise book for notes made in class

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Exam Content Exam Format Differentiation Exam Outcome Revision Tips

Section 3: Socio-Cultural Influences - Engagement patterns of different social groups in

physical activities and sport. - Commercialisation of physical activity and sport. - Ethical and socio-cultural issues in physical activity and

sport.

Section 5: Health, Fitness and Well-Being - Health, fitness and well-being. - Diet and nutrition.

1 Hour Paper - Multiple Choice - Short Answer Questions All pupils will sit the same paper. A GCSE theory grade will be awarded according to results. Google Classroom Google Drive ‘Shared’ Resources Lesson Notes

THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND

Do you do any of these when you revise or do homework?

Have the TV on? Or the radio?

Plug yourself into your iPod/MP3?

Have your X-Box ready to play?

Work in earshot of anyone talking?

Have your pet in the same room as you?

All of these stop you concentrating fully, allowing your mind to wander; the result is that you waste valuable time and effort, so your revision or homework takes longer. And this increases pressure and stress. So avoid distractions – revision is bad enough without them!

Remember everyone is in the same position as you – so don’t think it’s unfair, even when it’s sunny outside!

THE REVISION TIMETABLE

In the build-up to exams you should aim at 2 hours study per night.

Fill in your study time on a timetable like the one below.

Write in the subjects you will revise either in half-hour or one-hour blocks.

Study for a maximum of one hour at a time. Then have a short break.

Be sure to cover all subjects but allocate time according to how much material you have to cover, and how well you understand it.

Write in your other activities for the week first, eg sport, clubs, favourite TV programmes etc.

Revision does not mean you have to give up everything else – it just means arranging other activities around your study.

Stick to your timetable – it really does work!

My revision timetable Week 1 2 3 4

Week 1

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

4.00

9.00

4.30

10.00

5.00

11.00

5.30

12.00

6.00

1.00

6.30

2.00

7.00

3.00

7.30

4.00

8.00

5.00

8.30

6.00

9.00 ! ! S T

O P ! 7.00

REVISE BY ACTIVE LEARNING

Active learning means doing something positive with your notes rather than simply reading and re-reading them, which is less effective and may send you to sleep! Check ...

Are your notes complete and accurate?

Could your notes be summarised?

Check your understanding by discussing work with friends. For example, you could form a study group and take it in turns to explain a topic to each other.

Test ...

Yourself Write down what you know about a subject. Then look at your notes. Repeat until you are happy with the work. Each other Question each other about key facts - but also the main ideas. Question actively – WHY? WHAT? WHO? WHICH? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? Remember that the exam will test not just your knowledge of the facts, but also your understanding and your ability to make comparisons and to be critical. Practise ...

Exam practice provides excellent revision.

Examiners expect you to know your facts and be able to use them

Look at past papers and answers

Make sure you understand the layout of the paper

Note how the questions are worded

Try an exam paper within a time limit

Work with another student

Check with your teachers about anything you are unsure about

TRAIN YOUR MEMORY

By organising your revision material you can get your memory to work more effectively. 1. Make summaries

Summarise topics on postcards or single sheets of paper Emphasise key words, formulae, etc., in CAPITALS and in colours Look at these often, eg on the bus. You only need a few minutes at a time. Stick up the difficult ones in places you go to often - beside your bed, in the bathroom.

2. Make connections

Mentally link the things you are trying to remember with familiar objects or situations.

Numbers can be linked to birthdays, shoe size, ages, etc Groups of objects with something in common, eg first letter of word Pictures: imagine unlikely pictures involving things you want to remember Stories can be used to link facts or ideas Rhymes can be used to remind you of facts and ideas

Example to learn the world’s five largest freshwater lakes in order:

1 Superior 2 Victoria 3 Huron 4 Michigan 5 Great Bear Stop Vegetarian Hungarians Marrying German Brewers

3. Learn - Test - Repeat

Read something a few times – cover the book Write it down on a clean piece of paper Check it against the original Repeat this until you get it right

4. Key words

Read through the information – or an exam question Underline or note down the key words important information Add the correct information to the key words

5. Shapes

Use your forefinger to trace out in the air or on the table top the shape you are trying to memorise.

Repeat this until it becomes automatic.

MIND MAPS FOR REVISION

Why use mind maps for revision? Mind maps allow revision to become a natural process rather than a massive load you have to bury yourself under. Mind mapping will allow you to revise in an easy and quick way that actually works. Mind maps allow your brain to absorb information in an efficient and effective way. They are made up of curved lines, words, colours, lines and pictures all of which help your brain remember better. How to create a revision mind map You are ready to start revising but what to you do first? You have tons of notes from school, you have piles of handouts from your teachers, you have text books just sitting there, you have a list of internet sites that might help you out - and your brain is about to explode. Don’t panic, you can easily condense all of this information into one place and remember it at the same time. You can do this through mind mapping. Let’s create a mind map for one topic that you will be tested on. Step 1: make your central image Start by creating your central idea in the middle of your page. This will be the theme of your mind map (eg human life cycle in Biology, or castles in History). This should ideally be an image and words, as using images has a much greater impact than just words. Images encourage your imagination, keep your mind focused and help you to remember.

Step 2: add the main topic areas

The best way if you have lots of resources is to scan the information …

Take your text book and find the chapter for the topic that you are mind mapping.

Scan the chapter quickly – like flipping through a book in a bookshop

Put the book down and try to think of the main areas that were discussed

For each of the ideas add a main branch on your mind map.

This will help you form the basic idea-skeleton of the topic.

Step 3: adding the sub-topics With your idea-skeleton to hand, use your other resources to expand each idea with sub-topics and other ideas. The advantage of this skeleton is huge – what you have created is a giant net that will naturally catch your ideas and the information around you. Remember to try and use all the information you have at hand – your school notes, lesson handouts, internet sources. Every time a new idea floats into view, add it to your mind map. When you add an idea, it then becomes part of the net. So the more ideas you add, the bigger the net becomes, and the more capable it is for catching new ideas. You can do this by adding branches for each of your ideas.

Curved branches are the most effective as they reflect the structure of your brain and create variety and excitement for your eyes, making the information they hold easier to remember! Give your main ideas thicker branches to show their importance. Your branches should become less and less thick as you add your second and third level ideas. Each branch should have key words written on them not sentences.

Step 4: add detail to organise your map and increase memory recall Next you can add extra detail to your maps such as images, shapes and colours. These will help you to organise the information more effectively and aid your memory recall. Remember to have fun making your mind map look more attractive! Images and icons are a very important part of memory recall, so although it doesn’t feel like work make sure you spend time adding images that mean something to you.

Want to go further? Much more detailed information on how to use Mind maps can be found on the school CRC including subject examples. Try out the iMind map software which makes mind maps even easier.

THE EXAMINATION – PRACTICAL POINTS

Before the exam

Be at your best - get a good night’s sleep

Last minute cramming rarely helps

For an afternoon exam, relax in the morning

Don’t be put off by what other students say

Prepare yourself mentally for the two types of exam: o hard: don’t panic o easy: be on your guard, avoid careless mistakes.

Think positively: don’t underestimate yourself Preparation checklist

Exactly where and when is it? Be there 10 mins before

Do you have pens / refills? Pencils and sharpener? Rubber and ruler?

Do you need a calculator? A protractor? Any set texts?

All equipment should be in a clear plastic case? o This is now a requirement for all public exams!

Wear a watch to help you organise your time well.

Take water – but only in a bottle with no label and a non-spill top. Conduct during the exam

Do not take any bags into the exam room.

Mobile phones must never be taken into an exam.

Wear full school uniform.

Be silent at all times.

Put up your hand if you need to speak to an invigilator.

Do not leave your seat until you are told to do so.

Never turn round, even when you have finished.

Do not mark the desks – they will be checked.

After the exam

What have you learnt for the next exam?

What did you do well?

What do you need to improve next time?

Look forward positively to the next exam.

RELAX!

SITTING THE EXAMINATION

Time

Make full use of all the exam time; don’t finish too early.

Allow enough time for each question.

Use your watch to avoid a last minute rush.

Answer the correct number of questions.

Attempt all the questions required. Which questions?

Read all the questions first, slowly and carefully.

Pick out key words to make sure you understand exactly what the question is about.

If you have a choice then: decide which you are going to do - those that will earn you most marks cross out those you can’t do decide which to do first, second and so on.

Number your answers exactly as the questions are numbered. Planning the answers

Planning is vital. Think before you write.

Check carefully what the question asks for. What knowledge and facts does it need? Is it testing a skill, eg comprehension? Is it asking you to make comparisons and highlight differences?

Could you improve your answer by using diagrams or sketch maps?

Start your answer only when you are sure of your plan.

EXAM CONTENTS

In the earlier pages of this booklet you will find details of the examination papers you will be sitting for the Year 9 school exams. You will even find some revision tips specifically for the subjects. Act on this information – it has been prepared for you!

BONNE CHANCE

VIEL GLÜCK

GOOD LUCK!

REMEMBER:

EXAM SUCCESS IS

10% INSPIRATION and

90% PERSPIRATION!