Science: Full Practice Paper 3
Full Practice Paper 3 is a third complete practice paper in the style of 13+ Common Entrance Science, again combining Biology, Chemistry and Physics questions across one timed paper, matched to the standard ISEB layout rather than testing each subject in isolation.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the whole paper's title and instructions first, noting the total time allowed and the total number of marks, so you can work out roughly how many marks per minute you need to average.
- Underline every command word (state, describe, explain, calculate, suggest, compare) as you go, since these words tell you exactly what kind of answer is expected.
- Tackle short recall questions across all three subjects first, since a one-mark biology fact is worth exactly the same as a one-mark physics fact and should not be left until time is short.
- For any calculation, write the equation being used before substituting numbers, show each step of working clearly, and always include the correct unit with your final answer.
- When a question describes an experiment, identify the independent variable, the dependent variable and any variables that must be controlled before answering, since fair-test questions are marked on this structure.
- Save the last five minutes to check unanswered questions and to add units to any calculation answer that is missing one, since a correct number with no unit often loses a mark.
Worked example
A pupil places a 60 g block of a solid material into a measuring cylinder containing 40 cm^3 of water. The water level rises to 64 cm^3. (a) Calculate the volume of the block. (b) Calculate the density of the block using density = mass / volume. (c) A sample of pure water has a density of 1 g/cm^3. State whether the block would float or sink in water, giving a reason.
- Find the volume of the block from the rise in water level: volume = final reading - initial reading = 64 - 40 = 24 cm^3.
- Use density = mass / volume, substituting the mass (60 g) and the volume just found (24 cm^3): density = 60 / 24.
- Divide 60 by 24 to get the density: 60 / 24 = 2.5 g/cm^3.
- Compare this density with the density of water (1 g/cm^3): 2.5 g/cm^3 is greater than 1 g/cm^3.
- Final answer: (a) 24 cm^3; (b) 2.5 g/cm^3; (c) the block would sink, because its density (2.5 g/cm^3) is greater than the density of water (1 g/cm^3).
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1State the name given to a chemical reaction that releases heat energy to the surroundings.Show answer
Answer: An exothermic reaction.
Q2Name the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.Show answer
Answer: Arteries.
Q3A ball is dropped from a height and falls freely towards the ground. State the type of energy the ball gains as it speeds up.Show answer
Answer: Kinetic energy (it loses gravitational potential energy and gains kinetic energy).
Q4Give the chemical symbol for the element sodium.Show answer
Answer: Na.
Q5State one function of the human skeleton, other than support.Show answer
Answer: Protection of internal organs (or: allowing movement by giving muscles a framework to pull against, or: making blood cells - any one correct function).
Q6A pupil records the mass of a beaker of ice every 2 minutes as it melts. State which variable is the independent variable in this investigation.Show answer
Answer: Time (the variable the pupil is deliberately choosing when to record, and which is not affected by the mass).
Q7Calculate the mean of these three repeat readings of a force: 4.2 N, 4.6 N, 4.4 N.Show answer
Answer: 4.4 N ((4.2 + 4.6 + 4.4) / 3 = 13.2 / 3 = 4.4 N).
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A uniform see-saw is balanced on a central pivot. A pupil of weight 400 N sits 1.5 m from the pivot on the left side. (a) Use moment = force x distance to calculate the moment of this pupil about the pivot. (b) A second pupil of weight 300 N wants to balance the see-saw by sitting on the right side. Calculate how far from the pivot she must sit for the see-saw to balance. (c) State the principle you have used in part (b).
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A pupil is given a mixture of salt dissolved in water and asked to obtain a pure, dry sample of the salt. (a) Name the separation technique she should use. (b) Describe, in order, the steps she should follow to obtain the dry salt. (c) Explain why this technique works, in terms of boiling points.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the science: full practice paper 3 worksheet pack - 17 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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