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Exam Technique Guide

🃏 SHAKIR'S EXAM FORMULA

3 things. Every question. Every time.

Subject

Exam Technique

Core strategy for every exam question

Difficulty

All Levels

Works for Foundation & Higher tier

Focus

Time Management + Answer Strategy

Shakir Mugasha — GCSE Science

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1️⃣ TIME

Marks = Minutes

Marks Time
1 1 min
2 2 min
3 3 min
4 4 min
5 5 min
6 9 min (3 plan + 6 write)

⏰ Time's up = PEN DOWN. Move on.

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2️⃣ LINES (how much to write)

Marks = Lines in your answer book (2 lines per mark)

Marks Lines
1 2 lines
2 3 lines
3 4 lines
4 5 lines
5 6 lines
6 8 lines (after a plan box)

👀 Count the marks on the question. Count the lines on your page. They should match.

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3️⃣ COMMAND WORD

Read this word FIRST. It tells you what to write.

Word Write this
State / Name 1 fact. Nothing else.
Describe What happens. No "because".
Explain Reasons. Use "because".
Compare Both. Use "whereas" / "however".
Calculate Working + Number + Units.
Suggest Best guess using what you know.
Evaluate Pros + Cons + Verdict.
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🔄 THE FORMULA (4 steps, every question)

1. READ the command word → know what to write
2. COUNT the marks → know how much (time + lines)
3. WRITE that many lines → match the marks
4. STOP when lines = 2x marks → move to next question
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🆘 "I DON'T KNOW" — HOW TO GUESS SMART

NEVER leave a question blank. 0 marks < 1 mark from a smart guess.

📝 WRITTEN QUESTIONS (the ones you can't answer)

1

Step 1: Stay calm.

Take 1 breath. You have time.

2

Step 2: Re-read the command word.

What is the boss asking for?

3

Step 3: Use words from the question.

Copy key words from the question into your answer. This often scores marks.

4

Step 4: Write ANYTHING related.

A 1-mark guess is better than a 0-mark blank.

Example

"Explain why enzymes denature at high temperatures." [3 marks]

You don't fully know. So write:

  • • "The shape of the active site changes." (1 mark guess)
  • • "The enzyme can't bind to the substrate." (1 mark guess)
  • • "High temperature breaks bonds." (1 mark guess)

✅ You might get 2-3 marks from this!

🎯 Rule: 1 mark from a guess > 0 marks from a blank.

🔘 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (the ones with A, B, C, D)

TRICK 1: ELIMINATION

Cross out the wrong answers. Pick from what's left.

  • ✗ Cross out any answer that is definitely wrong
  • ✗ Cross out answers with extreme words like "always", "never", "all" (rarely true in science)
  • ✓ Pick from the answers that are left
  • ● If 2 answers are left → 50% chance. GUESS!

How to cross out:

  1. 1. Read the question and ALL 4 options
  2. 2. Put a clear ✗ next to any option that is definitely wrong
  3. 3. Circle the option you pick

TRICK 2: TWO ANSWERS ARE OFTEN SIMILAR

The correct answer is often one of TWO similar options.

  • • A, C look similar → one of them is right
  • • B, D look similar → one of them is right
  • • ⚠️ Watch out for "trick pairs" — two answers that say the opposite of each other. The right one is usually there.

TRICK 3: NUMBERS THAT LOOK SIMILAR

Pick the middle number. Avoid the highest and lowest.

  • • If the options are 5, 10, 15, 20 → pick 10 or 15 (middle)
  • • If the options are 2, 50, 100, 200 → avoid 2 and 200 (extremes)
  • • This is a guess. Use only if you really don't know.

TRICK 4: WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA — JUST PICK B OR C

A is often wrong. D is often wrong. B and C are statistically more common.

  • • True across many GCSE past papers.
  • • Pick B or C. Move on. Don't waste time.

⚠️ This is a LAST RESORT. Use only when you have NO idea after elimination.

TRICK 5: RE-READ AT THE END

If you have time at the end, come back to multiple choice.

  • • Mark the question with a small ✗ in the margin
  • • Come back at the end if you have time
  • • Your brain often "knows" the answer after a break

📊 QUICK REFERENCE — WHAT TO DO WHEN STUCK

Type of question Best strategy Time to spend
Multiple choice Eliminate, then pick B/C if no idea 30 sec
1-mark State/Name Use a word from the question 30 sec
2-mark Describe 1 point from question, 1 from knowledge 1 min
3-mark Explain 3 quick reasons with "because" 2 min
6-marker Plan 6 points (some can be guesses) 9 min
Calculation Show working — get method marks 2-3 min
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🎯 THE ONE-LINE FORMULA

Command word → Count marks → Match lines → Stop.

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🆘 THE ONE-LINE FOR WHEN YOU'RE STUCK

Don't freeze. Re-read command word. Use a word from the question. Write something. Move on.

Print this. Take it to every exam.

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Exam Formula Quick Card

Your 3-step formula for every exam question: check the time, count the lines, read the command word. Works for every question, every time.

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