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Biology - annotated exemplars
Show: Biology Homepage
An annotated exemplar is an extract of student evidence, with a commentary, to explain key aspects of the standard. It assists teachers to make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.
The material in these exemplars cannot be used (either in part or in full) for internal or external assessments submitted for any form of grading.
Level 1
- AS90925 - Carry out a practical investigation in a Biology context (1.1)
- AS90926 - Report on a biological issue (1.2)
Level 2
- AS91153 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision (2.1)
- AS91154 - Analyse the biological validity of information presented to the public (2.2)
- AS91155 - Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life (2.3)
- AS91158 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision (2.6)
- AS91160 - Investigate biological material at the microscopic level (2.8)
Level 3
- AS91601 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance (3.1)
- AS91602 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue (3.2)
- AS91604 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment (3.4)
- AS91607 - Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications (3.7)
Trial Exemplars
To further support teachers in identifying the critical aspects of Excellence, NZQA is trialling the publication of an additional exemplar for each Level 3 internal standard for Accounting, Biology and Chemistry. The additional exemplar focuses on the requirements for a secure Excellence, while also identifying why the High Merit exemplar does not meet Excellence.
- AS91601 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance (3.1)
- AS91602 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue (3.2)
- AS91604 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment (3.4)
- AS91607 - Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications (3.7)
Assessor Support
Various free resources to support assessors are available on the NZQA Learning Management System, Pūtake, including subject specific bite-sized modules and a full range of online Best Practice Workshops.
The material is available at any time via the Education Sector Logon, at no cost. Click here to learn how to access this content.
Available resources for Biology:
- Making Assessor Judgements (91153, 91602)
- 91607 Genetic Transfer
- 91604 Maintaining a Stable Internal Environment
Assessment General:
- Short course: Assessment – Reviewing your Practice
- Short course: Culturally Responsive Assessment
- Short course: Tāku Reo, Tāku Mahi – My Voice, My Work (Authenticity)
- Bite-sized module: Why Less is More