I was just wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how to answer long answer questions in biology. I just can't seem to master it.
Like a set of guidelines when answering questions could help.

    Taaaa76 ok. So you're probably not going to like this but to really master those questions, you just have to practice them. However, you should make sure that you don't just complete the questions, but actually read the answers given in the VCAA examiner reports (for VCAA questions of course). VCE Biology requires you to be concise and explain your answers in a way that effectively conveys the information needed to obtain marks. I would read through sample answers and even jot down how they've structured it. There are some questions in bio where you can sort of develop a formula to writing them because they're very similarly structured each year in the exams. This comes with practice!!! (that's why it's so important -> You can't improve without practice but you also can't if you don't learn from your mistakes). I would also discuss this with your teacher and ask for some advice on how to improve your answers for SACs specifically. Another tip is to also highlight the number of marks and then underline sections of the question that correspond to those marks (maybe write a number near it to indicate where you want to allocate those marks in your answer, which of course becomes easier with practice). Of course, when it comes to long answer questions, you need to obviously have a good understanding of the content. That said, don't let that stop you from doing practice questions. They'll help you identify your areas of weakness and your strengths so you can allocate your study time effectively.

    I hope these tips help a little! VCE Biology can be tough, but you've got this!

      Okay, Thanks for your input!
      Also, I did notice that some questions had a formula, but I just can't seem to pinpoint what that formula/structure is. Are there any general structures/formulas from VCE bio questions that you could tell me about?

      Taaaa76 I did use checkpoints a few times. They're helpful, but because they're VCAA questions, they might come up again in the practice exams you do. I also used the AtarNotes practice questions and found them really helpful. However, it's not essential.

      I can't remember specific answer "formulas" but if you read enough answers, try pinpointing each mark. "Formulas" are good for process questions, such as transcription where you have initiation, elongation and termination (same for translation), and natural selection where you have a selection pressure, selective advantage, and specific phenotypes/genotypes that are favoured (and thus certain traits are passed down, etc.). You could also try creating flow charts for these processes so you can see how you could break down your answers to those longer questions specifically about biological processes.

        2 months later

        Taaaa76 keep doing practice questions, exams--find worksheets frm online or make worksheets or get a tutor to form worksheets that have specific marks allocated to each question--everytime you complete these worksheets(often) make sure you answer them the same way you would in a exam--using the structure that sophie mentioned then give the worksheets to your teacher to correct, get that feedback redo the worksheet show them a second time then reapply those same techniques or any feedback they mentioned when your completing another new worksheet do this contiously. ifyou do have a tutor that makes these worksheets, youcansend those wokrsheets to themfor corrceitons as well but the best person to ask will always be your teacher because their the one marking hope that helps!!

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