P6 Parent Seminar:
Gearing for
the Science (Std) Paper
5 April 2013
•
•
Scope & Format
Strategies
Format of Paper
(Standard Course)
Booklet
Item Type
No.
Qtns
Marks
per
Qtn
Weighting
A
MCQ
30
2
60%
B
Openended
14
2,3,4 40%
Duration of Paper: 1 h 45 min
Theme
Life Science
Physical Science
Diversity
General characteristics
& classification of living
things
General characteristics
& classification of nonliving things
Materials
Cycles
Life Cycles
Reproduction
Matter
Water
Systems
Plant Systems
Human Systems
(Digestive, Respiratory &
Circulatory)
Cell System
Electrical Systems
Interactions
Interactions with
Forces (magnets,
Environment (ecology,
friction, gravity, elastic
adaptation, man’s impact) spring)
Energy
Forms & Uses
(Photosynthesis)
Forms & Uses (Light,
Heat)
Energy Conversion
Distribution of Marks
According to Syllabus Content
Life Science
45-55%
Physical Science
45-55%
According to Assessment Objectives
Knowledge with
Understanding
~40%
Application of
Knowledge &
Process Skills
~60%
Application of Knowledge &
Process Skills (60%)
Process Skills
Observing, Comparing, Classifying
Using Apparatus & Equipment
Communicating, Inferring, Predicting
Analysing, Generating Possibilities
Evaluating, Formulating Hypothesis
What is Key
 Accurate Understanding of Concept and “Big
Ideas” is important
 MAKE CONNECTIONS between concepts learnt
 APPLY concept in new situations
 EXPLAIN
 Revision of concepts learnt from P3 to P6
 Process Skills
 Expt Design – what is a fair test?
 Using Apparatus – which instrument is more
accurate?
 Interpretation of graphs, grouping, etc.
Examples of
Questions
Knowledge with Understanding
E.g.1
See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet
Pg. 78 Question 8
Applying Concepts
E.g. 2
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Pg. 81 Question 15
Skill: Observation & Classification
Eg.3
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Specimen Paper Question 4
Skill: Interpreting Graphs, Applying
E.g. 4
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Pg. 50 Question 9
Skill: Evaluating fair test
E.g. 5
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Specimen Paper Question 15
Skill: Experimental Design
E.g. 6
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Pg. 123 Question 10
Skill: Analysing, Inferring
E.g.7
See example in PSLE (Std Science)
Booklet
Pg. 53 Question 12
Gearing towards the PSLE
 Revise P3,4,5 work which forms bulk of
PSLE Qns (concepts in the textbook,
notes)
 Review questions in revision papers and
worksheets (Quantity AND Quality)
 Link ideas and concepts e.g. relate
digestion and respiration to source of
energy in living things
Have an inquiring attitude – ASK
questions & SEEK answers
MCQ
 Don’t rush through
 Go through ALL options – even if you
have an answer in mind
 Use elimination to narrow down to
possible answers
Tackling O.E. Questions
 Use scientific terms
 e.g. “attracted” vs “stick” or “attach” magnetic
objects to magnets
 Answer in context to question
 Clarity in Language - Be clear and specific
“… the location must be the same …”
 Ensure phrasing does not mislead and won’t
be interpreted as scientifically incorrect
 Learn task words in question stem e.g.
identify, list, explain, explain how
Tackling O.E. Questions
 Tip:
 Identify objective of question – asking
about aim / procedure / pattern /
conclusion?
 Look out for and use “clues” given:
 Diagrams., graphs, tables
 Earlier parts of question E.g. 2: Interpreting Graphs, Applying
 Marks given
 Make sure you answer has science
concepts in it
 DO NOT memorize questions and “model”
answers – answer TO the question
Thank you
HOD SCIENCE
yong_song_ling@moe.edu.sg