NCEA

Biology - annotated exemplars

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.

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)