How to pass biology practical exams

   We all know that biology practical is very important and it may seem difficult to understand and pass. In this post, I am going to teach you how to pass biology practical exams without any problems. I assure you that after reading this post, biology practical exams will be as simple as ABC for you to pass. 

There are some things that you should know about biology practical, they are :

A. Interpretation of data from biological principles : This is the only way to show how much knowledge of biology you have, from where you can interpret a fundamental biological issue from an experimental setup; or from graphs or other diagrams designed for the purpose.  

 You should be able to interpret the data very well. 

• What you should know about graphs in biology practical :

1. Size: Convenient size at least not less than a page would give you a good score. There should be regular intervals on each axis. 

2. Neatness: The graph lines should be nearly joined and the points properly marked. 

3. Caption: All drawings (including graphs) must be given headings to show what they are. 

4. Accuracy: The point must be accurately marked otherwise the readings to be interpreted from the graphs would be wrong. 

5. Identification: Each graph should be clearly identified. 

The second part is very important in biology practical is drawings. 

B. Drawings 

    One major mistake common to many candidates offering biology is that they believe they would score high marks in biology practical examinations if they can remember every label of any specimen given to them. The result is that they throw away the specimen, draw from memory and label fully and of course score little or no mark! 

  It is important for students to note that every examiner in biology practical has been trained to be able to recognize sketches of given specimens which are merely recollected textbook diagrams. 

   For instance, most candidates when given the common hibiscus flower, would throw the flower away and draw from memory probably because hibiscus flower has been taught every time from class one infant. 

  Candidates should now be aware that only faithful diagrams can score good marks. It is when you look critically at your specimens and you make faithful representation, that the diagrams will give you the true picture of the specimens. The diagrams you make must therefore be a graphic record of what another man can find in the specimens. 

   Students should not attempt to draw pictures. Therefore, all biological diagrams should be drawn in pencil; and no colouring or even shading is required. An HB pencil is always recommended because it is fairly soft and can be erased easily. 

    Attempt to make, uniformly thin lines always. Do not start your drawings by making dots or sketches as the outline. When you join the dots or sketches together, the result is a wooly outline. Make your lines (straight or curved) once and for all. If the lines are not good enough, erase and make them again.

   Make simplest drawings possible. At times you do not need to draw the whole parts of a specimen. 

• Never attempt to be artistic.

 Use the double parallel lines, no matter how close, for anything with thickness, for example; midrib of a leave, cut surface of floral parts, etcetera. 

  All the things mentioned above can be described as clarity of lines. The details are summarised as follows :

1. Not wooly, but fine lines. 

2. Lines to be of uniform thickness all over. 

3. Clear and tidy lines. 

4. Lines must be continuous, there should be no unnecessary gaps. 

5. Lines need not to be unnecessarily doubled. 

Proportions: Relative proportions of all parts of the specimens must reflect in your drawings. Measure the relative proportions and make your drawings of such part accordingly. 

  Correct position: Parts of a specimen must be inserted in correct positions. 

  Labelling: Be very neat. Label your diagrams fully. The indication lines should always touch what is being labelled so that there is no ambiguity. All indication lines should be made with a ruler. They must never cross each other. Labels must be horizontal. Labels should be made in capital letters or small letters, not combining both. Wrong spelling of labels would not score marks. Labels written on indication lines would not score marks. 

Magnification:  This is a figure usually inserted at the bottom left side of the drawing to indicate how much bigger or smaller the drawing is to the actual specimen in nature. Magnification should always be inserted. 

Magnification =size of drawing/size of specimen

To do this, measurements are taken. Relative parts of the object are measured and made to reflect in the drawing.  

General  

1. Make large drawings always; but within the limitations of sizes of drawings to be made as given in the instructions. 

2. Read instructions very well.

3. A thorough observation of specimens is required. 

4. Do not copy what the next candidate is drawing or doing. 

5. When questions are asked; give brief answers. 

6. Get to the exam hall early. 

7. Bring all the things that you are going to use with you.

8. Read and revise on topics pertaining to practicals and experiments. 

9. When comparing two things, the two sides of the table must correspond.

10. When you are asked to give answer in tabular form, you will lose marks when such tables are not made. 

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