Useful Techniques to Tackle PSLE Science

In the first article for Science, I share on general pointers to cope with PSLE Science. For this article, I am going to share with you some tips on how to tackle each section in the Science exam paper.

1) How to tackle Booklet A (MCQ)

• Read, understand and highlight key points or contextual clues in the questions. This will help you to narrow down on the answer, topic and concept tested.

• Use elimination method to eliminate options that are obviously wrong so that you can focus on options that are close.

2) How to tackle Booklet B – Open-ended questions

Apply R.U.L.E

(R) Read

• Read the question twice

• Analyse the question type (Factual, experiment-based, process skills needed, etc)

• Analyse the diagrams / tables / flowchart, etc

(U) Underline

• Underline important keywords / contextual clues / instructions, etc

(L) Link

• Link question to topic(s) or concept(s) learnt. Write down by the side the topic(s) or concept(s) that will help you to craft the answer related to the question.

(E) Explain
Explain in complete sentences for “Explain why/how”, “Give a reason”, What is the aim/conclusion”, “Describe what should be done” type of questions.
Note: This will be elaborated in the next few Science articles.

3) Useful techniques for answering open-ended questions in Booklet B:

• No general statement. Apply concepts to specific scenario.

   

• Answer the question directly
   

• Comparing questions
  Must compare both objects/set-ups given. Do not just elaborate on one object as  there is no comparison.

  Use comparative words like “more than”, “less than”, words ending with “er” when
  comparing 2 objects or set-ups.

   

• Do not give “common sense” answer. Back up your answer with a scientific concept whenever possible.
   

   

• Try not to use “it”, “they”, etc in a sentence especially when the questions involve a number of variables or objects. 

• To explain an observation, do elaborate thoroughly. Use the “Cause-Effect” or “Begin-End” approach.
   

   

• Answering parallel questions – For some questions divided into two parts, use clues in the previous part to answer the second part of the question.