Sample exam questions
Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.
Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions appear throughout both exam papers for both foundation tier and higher tier. Multiple choice questions are usually asked as questions, often starting with 'what is...' or 'why...'.
You have three or four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must choose the number of options asked for in the question by placing ticks in boxes. Most multiple choice questions require just one tick, but a few ask for two ticks. You will not get a mark if you leave all the boxes blank, or if you put a tick in more than the required number of boxes.
Multiple choice questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. It is important to check all the answers before deciding which box to tick. It is also important to check that your chosen statement answers the question - some questions might include an option that is a correct statement, but that does not answer the question.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Sample question 1 – Foundation
- Question
What is the unit of density (ρ)?
Tick one box. [1 mark]
Joules, J Joules per kilogram, J/kg Kilograms, kg Kilograms per metre cubed, kg/m3 Joules, J Joules per kilogram, J/kg Kilograms, kg Kilograms per metre cubed, kg/m3 ✔
Sample question 2 – Foundation
- Question
Where in a cell are the chromosomes?
Tick one box. [1 mark]
Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nucleus Ribosomes Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nucleus ✔ Ribosomes
Sample question 3 – Higher
- Question
The image shows the electronic structure of a non-metal atom.
What is the chemical symbol of this non-metal?
Tick one box. [1 mark]
Ar O S Si Ar O S ✔ Si
Sample question 4 – Higher
- Question
A student investigated the specific heat capacity of metals.
The table shows the student's results.
Metal Mass of material in kg Time in minutes Temperature change in °C Change in thermal energy in J Calculated specific heat capacity of material in J/kg °C Aluminium 1 10 2 4,780 2,390 Brass 1 10 4 4,660 1,165 Copper 1 10 4,600 657 Steel 1 10 5 4,690 938 What is the independent variable in the student's investigation?
Tick one box. [1 mark]
Mass of material Power used Time in minutes Type of material Mass of material Power used Time in minutes Type of material ✔