Hi
So I just started my A2. (CIE)
I am taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics. (I can't continue with Computing as it clashes with Biology)
I wanted to know if there are any tips on how to study / any helpful resources / any recommended websites or texts?
Also, I don't understand what Paper 5 is about. . . Can someone explain that to me? In addition, does paper 4 include stuff from the AS syllabus? Should I revise AS with A2 as I go through the course or what?
Thanks in advance.
-MaNi
In physics, paper 5 is called "Planning, analysis and evaluation".
From the syllabus:
Paper 5 will be a timetabled, written paper focussing on the following higher-order experimental
skills:
• planning;
• analysis, conclusions and evaluation.
This examination paper will not require laboratory facilities.
It should be stressed that candidates cannot be adequately prepared for this paper
without extensive laboratory work during their course of study.
In particular, candidates cannot be taught to plan experiments effectively unless, on a number of
occasions, they are required:
• to plan an experiment;
• to perform the experiment according to their plan;
• to evaluate what they have done.
This requires many hours of laboratory-based work, and it also requires careful oversight from
teachers to ensure that experiments are performed with due regard to safety.
The paper will consist of two questions each of 15 marks. The first question will be a planning
question, in which candidates will be required to design an experimental investigation of a given
problem. The question will not be highly structured: candidates will be expected to answer with a
diagram and an extended piece of writing. The second question will be an analysis, conclusions
and evaluation question, in which candidates will be given an equation and some experimental
data, from which they will be required to find the value of a constant. This question also will not be
highly structured: candidates will be expected to decide for themselves what they need to do in
order to reach an answer. They will also be required to estimate the uncertainty in their answer.
Some questions on this paper may be set in areas of Physics that are difficult to investigate
experimentally in school laboratories, either because of the cost of equipment or because of
restrictions on the availability of, for example, radioactive materials. No question will require prior
knowledge of theory or equipment that is beyond the syllabus: where necessary, candidates will be
given the information that they need.
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And paper 4 will contain A2 as well as AS stuff, so study for AS as well
As for bio and chem, no idea. Check the syllabus