NCEA Level 1 represents a change, something new in your educational journey. The change in assessments is liberating and comes with a lot more responsibility. You are responsible for your exam revision and you are responsible for handing in assessments on time and up to the overall standard that NCEA demands. For level 1 there are lots of questions about literacy and numeracy credits. The Level 1 Biology assessments do not give student literacy or numeracy credits but they do help you reach your 80 credits overall as well as securing your entry into Level 2 Biology.
While gaining the NCEA qualification that is accepted by many international higher education providers is important, it is not just for the sake of having a piece of paper. Our guide on the Level 1 Biology syllabus provides information on why you are learning and studying topics. It is about expanding your understanding of our complex world and opening up new areas of interest that may lead to exciting careers in science later on.
One part of NCEA is building up your skills so you can work independently. While you have the support of your teachers, you are starting to prepare for autonomy in higher education whether that be in New Zealand or with an International provider. As a newbie to the NCEA system, the first thing you want to do is check for clashes in your timetable. Clashes are when you are enrolled in two different exams that are scheduled to take place at the same time. Our study guide provides you suggestions for organising your work.
The way NCEA external exams work is that everyone across the country sits for the same exam at the same time. This can lead to some issues where a student may have a clash between subjects. Usually, in year 11 your high school or college will make the effort on the student's behalf to check that students that have clashes are aware and alternative measures are put in place. As you are now in year 11 it is a good habit to check yourself. This is because if you go to university it is your responsibility to be aware of any clashes you may have.
Once you have sorted out your exam timetable it is time to make the most of your study leave. While it may be tempting to start your holidays early, your decision will affect your results. This doesn’t mean you have to be holed up in a cave of isolation until your exams are over, it is about being responsible and managing your time so you are prepared for your exam and also can have a bit of fun with friends.
Breaking down the NCEA Level 1 Biology Question
Understanding NCEA questions requires a little bit of learning and common sense. First of all, if you don’t know your subjects then you can’t answer the question. The myth of winging it and passing does not exist in science subjects. That is because you need to know different theories, life processes, reactions, body systems, be able to label diagrams and more. That's just for passing with Achieved. For those after a bit more guidance with internal assessments, our biology study guide helps you prepare for both internal and external assessments.
Our guide on NCEA Level 1 biology Past Papers helps you utilise past papers as a revision tool. When it comes down to it, if you don’t know then you don’t know. So avoid that situation by setting up a solid revision timetable that works for you. If you are a night owl or an earlier riser, work with your preferences not against them. Level 1 is the start of finding what works for you.
Now that you have set up a study and revision timetable that works for you and does not use cramming as the plan, it is time to start learning to decode exam questions. For each assessment, there are four grades available depending on how you respond to it; Not Achieved, Achieved, Merit and Excellence.
Generally Achieved means you are working at the level expected, Merit means you are working above the standard and Excellence means you are working well above the standard. The line between Achieved and Merit is pretty easy to see but the difference between Merit and Excellence can be tricky to get across depending on the question.
That being said, not all questions can get you Merit or Excellence. It depends on the question itself. Previous exam papers had Achieved questions that were considered closed questions (one correct answer type) and then the following were Merit and Excellence which were open (questions that require evidence and justification). NZQA has been moving away from this type of structure which also means there are fewer questions. For example the 2021 NCEA Level 1 exam paper had only three questions.
The tricky bit here is now you have to break down the question into a list of topics you need to cover. In NCEA Level 1 the questions are designed to help you answer by including a format for you to follow such as:
Discuss how changing the way we store and treat food can affect food decay caused by bacteria.
In your answer:
- describe how bacteria reproduce
- explain how changes in temperature can affect the growth rate of bacteria living on leftover food
- discuss how TWO environmental factors other than temperature (such as pH, water, or oxygen) can be controlled to affect the growth rate of bacteria, and link this to the way we can store and preserve food so that it is safe to eat.
The questions have been nicely laid out for you. First, you need to show off your amazing scientific vocabulary by using the correct terms when you describe how bacteria reproduce. Now that you have established the basics the marker is looking to see how much you understand. You need to explain how and why temperature can affect bacterial growth in detail.
The last part is where you pick up Excellence points. The marker is looking to see how well you can identify, explain and justify your response. You should complete all parts of the question to the best of your ability even if you are not looking to gain Merit or Excellence. For Achieved, you have to demonstrate you have an understanding. While it never specifically asks for a diagram, definitely put one in. Now is the time to show off what you know.
Understanding the NCEA Level 1 Biology Marking Schedule
When you read through the marking schedule across all three papers there is one word that changes between Achieved, Merit and Excellence. For Achieved you need to demonstrate an understanding of the subject. When you look at Merit the understanding becomes an in-depth understanding and for Excellence a comprehensive understanding.
To show an understanding you will need to define biology terms, use accurate annotated diagrams in your answers, and describe how different processes function. It is very important to use the proper terms when describing what is going on such as cross-pollination, the difference between capillaries, arteries and veins, and what a pathogen is. When you check over your answer you want to make sure you have described the processes in enough detail that it shows you understand how these different processes function.
When looking to gain Merit you have to do all that you needed to do for Achieved plus one step more. Explain. In order to get Merit, you have to explain biological ideas. This could mean you explain the function or role of certain things, such as fungi in relation to the nutrients cycle or the overall function of the three life cycles and how they help the survival of mammals.
When it comes to Excellence you need to show you are working well above the level by demonstrating you have a comprehensive understanding of biological ideas. Here you can link other relevant biological ideas to justify your points. This can be done through contrasting and comparing, relating, elaborating, analysing, justifying and more.
You are trying to show you have a strong understanding of these subjects and can see how different parts and processes work together. Stay alert though, you need to have a clear structure and stick to the confines of the question. If you blurt out everything you know rather than staying on the topic it means you do not have a comprehensive understanding.
Looking to take your learning further?
Whether you need a bit more support or want to become stronger in the subject, a tutor can help you with your goals. Superprof has tutors that specialise in a variety of subjects including biology. Superprof helps learners find the right tutor for them by bringing the information to one place. You can look at prices, availability, specialisation and reviews from the comfort of your own home. Have a look for the right tutor for you today.
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