1. Exam Skills – Handling Data
15 September 2019
Exam Skills – Handling Data
Learning outcomes
I will be able to:
Plot data points on a graph and draw lines of best fit
Construct your own axes/scales
Explain how to respond to anomalies when plotting graphs
Numeracy Objective
Ensure graphs and tables have titles and units.
REMEMBER: units are put into brackets.
Literacy Objective
Correct tense and verb agreement. You must use the correct version of the verb to match the tense. E.g. I see / I saw I do / I did.
Main errors are:
We was Correct to: We were.....
Presentation reminders
Underline titles and dates.
Include full date annotation.
Use a pencil and ruler where appropriate for diagrams and tables.
BfL reminders
Reminder about phones/headphones given at start of lesson. If phones out after, the teacher will confiscate until the end of the lesson.
Maintain a calm, learning environment.
No eating, drinking or shouting out.

2. Plotting Mark scheme all points correct ± ½ small square
Sometimes they give you the axis and scales so you just have to plot the points for 1 mark
Mark scheme
all points correct
± ½ small square

3. all points plotted correctly ± ½ small square
Plotting
Sometimes you need to do the axis and the scales for 3 or 4 marks
Mark scheme
x axis scale correct 1
y axis scale correct
all points plotted correctly
± ½ small square

4. Lines of best fit… Lines of Best Fit
DO NOT have to go through zero (the origin)
DO NOT have to be a straight line
DO NOT include anomalies in lines of best fit
SHOULD always follow the points
IF it is a straight line then it should be drawn with a ruler
IF it is a curve then it should be drawn free hand

5. Your axis do not have to start at zero
Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Your axis do not have to start at zero

6. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Your scales should never go backwards even if the numbers in the table do

7. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Avoid going up in odd numbers. It will confuse you and make it harder to plot.

8. Every major axis line should have a number written next to it
Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Every major axis line should have a number written next to it

9. Numbers must count up the same amount each time
Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Numbers must count up the same amount each time

10. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
When you decide on your scale, make sure ALL the points will fit on the graph

11. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Don’t make plotted points too big. If it covers too much space the examiner will assume its in the wrong place

12. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Good Example
Don’t force a line of best fit through the origin. It should follow the points

13. Plotting Graphs
Bad Example
Do not join points up dot to dot. Only very specific graphs can do this and they won’t ask you to plot them.

14. Plotting Graphs
Your turn. Plot graphs for the following exam data and don’t forget the line of best fit.

15. Plotting Graphs
Your turn. Plot graphs for the following exam data and don’t forget the line of best fit.

16. Plotting Graphs
Your turn. Plot graphs for the following exam data and don’t forget the line of best fit.

17. Plotting Graphs
Your turn. Plot graphs for the following exam data and don’t forget the line of best fit.

18. Lines of Best Fit

19. Lines of Best Fit
NEVER include anomalies in lines of best fit. They might not point out that there is one like they have in the example