Science calculations
Maths questions often start with the command words 'calculate' or 'determine'. They will then have a blank space for you to show your working. It is important that you show your working - don't just write the answer down. You might earn marks for your working even if you get the answer incorrect.
In some maths questions you will be required to give the units. This may earn you an additional mark. Don't forget to check whether you need to do this.
Maths questions might include graphs and tables as well as calculations. Don't forget to take a ruler and calculator.
If drawing graphs, make sure you:
- put the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependant variable on the y-axis
- construct regular scales for the axes
- label the axes appropriately
- plot each point accurately
- decide whether the origin should be used as a data point
- draw a straight or curved line of best fit
If you are asked to calculate an answer and it has lots of decimal places, don't forget to use the same number of significant figures as the data in the question. For example, if two significant figures are used in the question, then usually your answer would also be to two significant figures. Don't forget to check your rounding.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
An experiment is set-up to find out if caffeine has an effect on reaction times.
A student tries to catch a meter ruler, using just their first finger and thumb.
The experiment is repeated four times, both without and with the effects of caffeine.
Using the data from the results table below, calculate the mean distance with and without caffeine. [2 marks]
| Attempt | Distance without caffeine (cm) | Distance with caffeine (cm) |
| 1 | 25 | 18 |
| 2 | 38 | 15 |
| 3 | 36 | 22 |
| 4 | 31 | 24 |
| Mean |
| Attempt | 1 |
|---|---|
| Distance without caffeine (cm) | 25 |
| Distance with caffeine (cm) | 18 |
| Attempt | 2 |
|---|---|
| Distance without caffeine (cm) | 38 |
| Distance with caffeine (cm) | 15 |
| Attempt | 3 |
|---|---|
| Distance without caffeine (cm) | 36 |
| Distance with caffeine (cm) | 22 |
| Attempt | 4 |
|---|---|
| Distance without caffeine (cm) | 31 |
| Distance with caffeine (cm) | 24 |
| Attempt | Mean |
|---|---|
| Distance without caffeine (cm) | |
| Distance with caffeine (cm) |
Without caffeine: 32.5 cm
With caffeine: 19.75 cm
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
What does this graph show about the relative heights of boys and girls? [4 marks]
- From ages two to around ten boys are slightly taller than girls.
- At age 10 girls increases in height beyond boys for the first time.
- At around age 14 boys increase again in front of girls.
- Boys remain taller.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Describe the relationship between mean body weight and diabetes over time. [4 marks]
- In 1990 the mean body weight was about 72.5 kg and the prevalence of diabetes was under 5%.
- The mean body weight has increased steadily every year from 1990 to 2000 reaching a maximum of just over 77 kg.
- The prevalence of diabetes fell by 1% in 1993.
- It then increases in line with the mean increase in body mass from 1997 to 2000.