Problem
solving skills
Problem solving skills make up 1/3 of your prelim/final exam. They can be split up into two categories​: 1. Experimental Design Skills 2. Numerical Skills​
Experimental Design Skills.
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​You will be given unfamiliar unseen experiments and be asked to identify the following.
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a) independent/dependent variables b) reliability issues/improvements c) Control design/importance
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d) validity/variables kept constant e) Drawing conclusions f) sources of errors
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g) apparatus e.g. colorimeter/water bath
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Numerical Skills
Numerical problem solving skills include
Selecting information Predicting Correct statements
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Presenting skills Drawing conclusions Describing relationships
Processing calculations
Percentage ​​​ Percentage change PCR Calculations
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​DNA base calculations Average increase/decrease Proportion
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Magnification/Units​ Ratio
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1. Selecting Information
You will be asked to selecting information from complex DOUBLE scaled graphs reading off the scale correctly or selecting the correct column or row from complex tables.
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For A mark selecting questions
1. Processing calculation after selecting information
2. Work between two sources that are linked e.g. (two graph/tables or a graph AND a table)
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​​​​​​​​​Higher Biology candidates ONLY
Need to be able to read information from semi log graphs.
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2. Processing Calculations
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You will need to be able to do the following calculations.
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DNA base calculations PCR cycle calculations Percentage
Percentage change Average increase/decrease Proportion
Magnification & milli-micro How many times greater
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​Higher Human Only calculations
In addition if you study higher human biology you need to be able to
1. cardiac output calculations 2. BMI calculations 3. Heart rate calculations
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3. Predicting trends
You need to be able to detect trends in numerical sequences from graphs OR tables.​
Where possible on graphs you can extend the line (extrapolate) to read off the predicted value.
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Lastly for reactions involving enzymes, high temperatures will lead to predictions of reduced reaction ratres as ENZYMES will be DENATURED at high temperatures.
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4. Selecting correct statement.
This will involve a complex graph with lots of extra unnecessary information. Take your time this is an A mark.
You will often need to do
1. Processing calculations to check the statement is true
2. Check the statement hold true for ALL the points. If any of the points contradict the statement rule out the statement.
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5. Drawing conclusions
You will be asked to draw conclusions on the trend between the independent & dependent variable from an aim based on an graph/table containing an indirect measure of the dependent variable.
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