REVISE FOR SCIENCE GCSE SERIES: MEG COORDINATED FOUNDATION. MEG COORDINATED HIGHER. SUFFOLK FOUNDATION. SUFFOLK HIGHER. By G Anderton, D Berrington and M Brimicombe. Heinemann pound;4.99 each. Revision for Biology GCSE. By S M Lewis and B J T Lewis. John Murray pound;6.99.
With so many pound;3 revision guides on the market, higher prices need to be justified. They are, in this Heinemann series.
Simple direct text is enhanced by neat annotated diagrams. Clear definitions, highlighted key words and basic comprehension questions reinforce the message. Double-page spreads, not cramped, are in separate sections for attainment targets 2, 3 and 4.
A big bonus is the many syllabus-specific examination questions ending each section. Answers to all questions allow independent working.
In some ways, these are four versions of the same book. Content spreads in the two foundation books are mostly identical; ditto the two higher level books. And most of the higher spreads are derived from the foundation books.
The Suffolk books separate Year 10 content from Year 11, helpful for students taking the Year 10 examination.
Revision for Biology GCSE is, unsurprisingly, for separate biology syllabuses. Science students might need telling what to leave out. With more text than most revision books and a more discursive style, it is pitched at higher level students. Two and four-page spreads, with “Quick questions”, allow an in-depth treatment.
Lynne Marjoram is head of science at Kidbrooke School, south London.
