External Assessment: Exam Technique and Integrated Application
Core concepts
The external assessment tests integrated understanding across both units rather than isolated recall. Candidates should expect multiple-choice, short-response and extended-response items requiring calculation, diagram interpretation and justification. Key skills are selecting the correct formula, showing working with units, interpreting graphs such as the drag curve or lift-versus-angle-of-attack curve, and explaining system behaviour under failure. Command words matter: 'describe' requires features, 'explain' requires cause and effect, and 'evaluate' requires a judgement supported by evidence.
Traps
Marks are lost through unit errors, unrounded intermediate values, and answers that state a fact without linking it to the scenario. In extended responses, candidates often list points without structure; use a clear chain of reasoning. Watch for questions embedding a constraint such as constant altitude, which changes which variables may be treated as fixed. Do not over-answer multiple-choice items; select the best option and move on.
Worked example
A question asks why an aircraft needs a longer runway at high altitude. Higher altitude means lower air density, so lift at a given speed falls. To reach the same lift, the aircraft needs a higher take-off speed and therefore a longer ground run. State the density change, the lift consequence, and the runway consequence.
Study tip
Allocate time by mark value, and leave extended responses until last so shorter marks are secured.