biol+2+study+techniques

It is important that your study regime has variety. This will develop your understanding more thoroughly as well as maintain your enthusiasm.

Back to biol 2 exam advice

You must know your terminology. Much of this is memory but you do not have to spend time rewriting a list or reading a glossary over and over again. Your terminology will broaden by continually exploring ideas in different ways and making all important links between concepts. Rewriting notes is Ok but ultimately to broaden and strengthen your understanding you need to reorganise information differently and actively get your brain to think! The simplest way is to create a table of information. Summarise the three main feedback mechanisms that we have covered. See table.

Draw flow charts to represent process, this is highly relevant to the area on negative feedback and stimulus response.

Draw diagrams and label them. It is easier to recall visual information. So do you know how to draw a neuron, label it and annotate the role of each part? What about drawing a diagram to explain how energy flows through an ecosystem?

Do a mind map or concept map (remember the homeostasis one). Start with one key term and expand from there. There isn't one correct way of doing this. Train your mind to explore ideas. Start with the word 'adaptations' and see where that takes you. See the example below.



Venn diagrams are extremely useful. Comparing concepts by looking at similarities and differences also will strengthen relevant terminology. Endocrine and nervous system, try a triple one for physiological, structural and behavioural adaptations. Include specific examples in your Venn diagram and draw diagrams as well.