The NST IB Physiology exam
There will be two written papers and one practical examination.
The first written paper, which will carry 25% of the total marks, will last two hours. This paper will cover material which may be taken from any area of the lecture course and will include a number of data-handling questions. The questions in this paper will require candidates to choose the best answer from several alternatives or show calculations and solutions to numerical problems. Candidates should answer all questions.
The second written paper, which will carry 60% of the total marks, will last three hours and have five or more essay questions, of which candidates should answer four.
The practical examination will carry 15% of the total mark. This paper will encompass material from both the experimental, reproductive biology and histology practicals and will be taken in the Department of PDN. The questions will require candidates either to give short answers or to choose the best answer from several alternatives. Candidates should answer all questions.
NOTE: You will be notified of any changes to the above notice.
- What the Examiners want from a 1B Physiology essay, and some tips on exam technique
- General information on marking and classification
Past examination papers for NST IB Physiology are available from Colleges, and collected essay questions from previous years are to be found on the CamTools website. The multiple-choice papers are not on the website, however, because they are not to be considered a teaching resource. Students should not attempt to rote-learn past-paper multiple-choice questions – this is not the right way to learn physiology!
Approved calculators
The only calculator that may be used in the end-of-year exam is one stamped as approved by the University: programmable and graphing calculators capable of storing a data-base of facts and several ready-made exam answers are obviously unacceptable in the exam room. You can buy the standard approved model (they are extremely good value for money) from the Department of Chemistry Part IA Preparation Room at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term, or you can get your existing calculator checked (and hopefully approved and stamped!) by taking it to any member of the Technical Staff in the Physiology Experimental Laboratory.