A single total can be comfortable and still hide a section that is failing. Reading scores by section is the habit that stops one subject strength from letting you ignore another. This is the last skill in mixed original practice.
How do I read a mixed set by section?
Score each science separately, turn each into a percentage, and compare. Then ask which section is lowest and which skill from your error log explains it.
Percentage = marks scored ÷ marks available × 100.
Worked example
All scores are invented. A student takes a 30-mark mixed set with 10 marks per science.
| Section | Score | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 8 / 10 | 80% |
| Chemistry | 5 / 10 | 50% |
| Physics | 4 / 10 | 40% |
| Total | 17 / 30 | 57% |
Check the total: 8 + 5 + 4 = 17. Then 17 ÷ 30 = 0.5667, so 57% to the nearest whole number.
The total says “just over half”. The sections say something different: biology is secure, chemistry is borderline and physics needs the most work. If the student only watches the total, the next session is likely to repeat biology, which feels good and changes little.
The action: give physics and chemistry the larger blocks next session, as in building a balanced session.
The mistake to watch for
A common slip is to use a strong section as a reason to stop looking.
Mistaken reading: “I got 80% in biology, so I am fine overall.”
Biology is one section. The same set shows 40% in physics, and one strong score does not carry the others.
The correction is to name the lowest section first. Celebrate the strong one, then plan around the weak one.
Check yourself
1. A set has three sections of 8 marks each. Scores are biology 6, chemistry 3, physics 5. What is the total as a percentage, to the nearest whole number?
Show answer
6 + 3 + 5 = 14 out of 24. 14 ÷ 24 = 0.5833, so 58%.
2. In the same set, which section is weakest, and what is its percentage to the nearest whole number?
Show answer
Chemistry, with 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375, so 38%.
3. Biology 8 out of 10 and physics 6 out of 8. Which is the stronger result as a percentage?
Show answer
Biology is 80%. Physics is 6 ÷ 8 = 75%. Biology is stronger, though the raw marks are not comparable until you convert them.
Where this leads next
Put the habit into practice with the mixed practice set, score it by section, and plan the next session. For experiment-style tasks the scientific investigation critic supports your reasoning.
If one science keeps hiding behind your total, a teacher in online one-to-one Combined Science tuition can track your section scores week by week.