91�ȱ�

Six-mark questions will only appear in the Depth paper. There will be two six-mark questions in the Depth paper.

Six-mark questions are extended free response questions, needing the longest answers. It is wise to plan your answer rather than rushing straight into it. Without a plan it is easy to stray away from the key points and lose marks, get steps in a process in the wrong order or forget key bits of information.

To gain six marks, you will need to:

• use appropriate scientific words and terms
• write your answer in full sentences, not bullet points
• write clearly, linking ideas in a logical way
• use and maintain a line of reasoning, rather than a random list of statements and sentences
• support explanations using scientific knowledge and understanding

Six-mark questions are marked using a level-based mark scheme. An answer that is not clear and logically sequenced, and which does not give an argument supported by evidence, will be limited to the lower levels. Similarly, if the question asks you to discuss both sides of an argument, or explain two observations, you will be limited to the lowest level if your answer only considers one of them.

The answers shown here give marking points as bullet points. You do not usually need to include all of them to gain six marks, but you do need to write in full sentences, linking them logically and clearly.

These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.

Writing six-mark answers with Dr Alex Lathbridge

Listen to the full series on 91�ȱ� Sounds.

Sample question 1 - Foundation

Sample question 2 - Foundation

Sample question 3 - Higher