The paper has two extended-response questions worth 10 to 15 marks in total, each with a choice of topic. Each mark is a separate correct point, so plan the points before you write.
Question paper
2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks
Section 1
20 marks of multiple choice
Section 2
80 marks of written answers
Exam day 2027
Wednesday 12 May, 09:00 to 11:30
Write for the marks
Read the command word: describe asks for facts in order; explain asks why or how.
List the points you know before you write: each correct, separate point is a mark.
Use the key terms of the course exactly (for example, "the corpus luteum secretes progesterone").
Try 2 questions
Question 1Section 1 style
Typical range of the marker chemical. Week 14: 20 to 40 units. Week 16: 30 to 55. Week 18: 45 to 75.
Week of pregnancy
Typical range (units)
14
20 to 40
16
30 to 55
18
45 to 75
The concentration of a marker chemical in a pregnant woman's blood normally rises during pregnancy. Its typical range is 20 to 40 units at week 14, 30 to 55 units at week 16 and 45 to 75 units at week 18. A woman's blood was tested when her pregnancy was thought to be at week 14, and her result was 62 units. A dating scan then showed that her pregnancy was at week 18. Which conclusion is correct?
Question 2Section 1 style
Mean percentage of words recalled. Words 1 to 3: group A 78, group B 75. Words 7 to 9: group A 34, group B 33. Words 13 to 15: group A 82, group B 36.
Position in list
Group A, recall at once (%)
Group B, recall after counting (%)
1 to 3
78
75
7 to 9
34
33
13 to 15
82
36
Two groups of students heard the same list of 15 unrelated words and then wrote down as many as they could, in any order. Group A wrote immediately. Group B first counted backwards in threes for 30 seconds. The table shows the mean percentage of words recalled. Words 1 to 3: group A 78%, group B 75%. Words 7 to 9: group A 34%, group B 33%. Words 13 to 15: group A 82%, group B 36%. Which explains the results?