AQA A-Level Biology Student Conference

ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE

The Conference and been refreshed and updated to bring into it the key priorities to achieve success in the 2023 exams. There will be varied, interactive sessions throughout the day, as part of the key session.

Students will hear from examiners with focus on how to succeed in the most challenging aspects of each paper, exactly what examiners are looking for in student responses and how to get top marks in the exam. Packed with advice on the most important aspect of the AQA Biology content, exactly what questions are looking for and top tips so students can gain the highest grades.

The conference is designed for students of the AQA exam board but will be of benefit to all A Level Biology students.

KEY FOCUS AREAS

• Experience a unique opportunity to hear from leading current Biology expert practitioners and senior examiners
• Take away top level practical advice and techniques on best ways to tackle key questions and question types
• Reinforce and enhance students’ understanding of the key points they need to demonstrate in exams
• Gain top level advice and guidance on how to access the higher grades in examinations
• Enhance your understanding of key areas of Biology, all linked directly to the exam papers
• Take part in interactive examiner workshops to improve performance in the exams
• Take away a full set of conference notes, with examination tips and example answers

PROGRAMME

Welcome and Introduction

Paper 1: Tackling the tough questions in the Biological molecule topic

• Gain an excellent understanding of how to answer the challenging topics on enzymes/antibodies.
• Common mistakes that students make in the exams and how to avoid them.
• Importance of correct terminology.
• How to achieve top marks in the data handling and synoptic questions
• How to achieve full marks, or as near as, the short and long answer questions
• Review examples of how to tackle questions on the required practicals
• Opportunities for students to ask questions and receive feedback
• Receive a set of further questions to practice on in the lead up to the exams.

Paper 1: Tackling Questions on Cell Recognition and Genetic information

• How to get an A/A* on questions on cell recognition and the immune system, structure of eukaryotic cells and methods of studying cells
• Practical exploring previous exam questions, exemplar responses and analysing how to gain top marks
• Key exam strategies, command words and emphasis on where students most frequently fail to gain full marks

Break – submit your questions for our experts

How to Make the Right Links and Succeed in The Synoptic Questions

• What examiners are looking for in the synoptic questions: applying knowledge, analysing and evaluating well
• Examine example questions in small groups to highlight the synoptic element being tested
• ACTIVITY: Marking exercise: how students can show examiners their full level of knowledge and understanding
• Student strengths and weaknesses: boosting grades
• Examine examples of responses at different strengths and weaknesses with the examiners

Lunch

Achieving Grades A/A* in Paper 2 Questions on Energy Transfers in and between Organisms

• What you need to know to tackle questions on respiration and photosynthesis.
• How to ensure you apply and demonstrate the appropriate knowledge to questions covering ‘unfamiliar contexts
• Perfect a range of question styles on respiration and photosynthesis.
• Common mistakes that students make in these particular questions and how to avoid them.

Tackling the Maths in Genetics and Gene Expression with Confidence

• With example answers, our expert examiner demonstrates how to always succeed on maths questions
• Answer example questions and get direct advice on how to get high marks on these
• Using biological terminology correctly
• Evaluating conclusions made by other scientists successfully in your responses

Short Break

Paper 3: Answering Questions on Practical Assessments

• Expert guidance on how to utilise the skills learnt in the practical endorsements when answering exam questions, with example answers.
• Tackle a range of sample questions.
• How to apply your knowledge of the practical procedures when answering questions on the science behind the practical work.

Paper 3: Answering Questions on Practical Assessments

• Expert guidance on how to utilise the skills learnt in the practical endorsements when answering exam questions, with example answers.
• Tackle a range of sample questions.
• How to apply your knowledge of the practical procedures when answering questions on the science behind the practical work.

Final Top Tips and Close

• What students can do after today to improve their exam results?
• Revision strategies and other resources