HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTION
- M6 Genetic Change has contributed an average of 24.8% per HSC Biology exam since the new syllabus was introduced in 2019.
- This topic has been split into three sub-categories for analysis purposes which are: 1-Mutation (14.4%), 2-Biotechnology (3.8%) and 3-Genetic Technologies (6.6%).
- This analysis looks at the sub-topic, Genetic Technologies.
HSC ANALYSIS - What to expect and common pitfalls
- Genetic Technologies has attracted longer answer questions in every new syllabus Biology exam to date (including two in 2021-22) as well as at least one multiple-choice per exam making it a focus area for any revision.
- Transgenic Organisms is the most common question theme that has been tested every year. 2021 HSC 33a is a "must review" question of this topic area.
- Whole Organism Cloning and Gene Cloning are frequently tested within multiple choice and have caused problems. 2019 HSC 20 and 2018 HSC 18 produced mean marks of 23% and 37% respectively and deserve revision attention.
- 2014 HSC 29 looks at the process of whole organism cloning and represents an important revision question that departs from the recent multiple-choice style of testing this area.
- We note that this topic area has a significant overlap with M6 Biotechnology, including the impact of genetic techniques in agriculture and on genetic diversity, as well as the benefits of genetic technologies in various settings and applications.