National Primary School Exam (UPSR) Science: Answering Technique For Section B

The National Primary School Exam (UPSR) is just around the corner. For most students, these are the "critical times" that they need to utilize properly in hope of getting a good result. But, as we all know, the national exams' contents is from a three-year study (Year 4, 5 and 6). It may prove to be a difficult situation to some students, especially those who has low memorization. However, memorization can be improved. According to this article, memorization can be improved and after I make a quick view of the contents, it uses techniques that are really simple and manageable, most importantly, fun for any youngsters. Still, memorization on Science facts only improves the ability the answer Section A of the National Primary School Exam for Science. For Section B though, it requires technical skills. There are three essential technical skills that are needed to answer Section B questions which are interpreting the questions, choosing the best and suitable answer script and time-managing skill.

Before I explain further, let me show you an example of a typical Section B question that being used for the National Primary School Exam.

National Primary School Exam for Science Section B (2010). Question No. 2

Interpreting the questions is actually the first phase and the most important technique of which student must do before engaging the sub-questions. Interpreting the question is actually requires you to accomplish three things.

1. Have a general idea of the science concept that is being "talk" in this question.

2. Identifying the variables required which are the manipulated variable (or independent variable), responding variable (or dependent variable) and fixed variable (or static variable).

3. Identifying the key questions asked based on the keyword used on the sub-questions.

Based on the example above, the science concept that is being tested here is measuring mass of an object by means of measuring the volume of water displaced when the object is immersed into a volume of liquid. also known as the "Archimedes Principle".

Clearly, the table in the question mentioned two kinds of objects, which are marbles and water. In Science, the element of a variable requires you to mention two things, the parameter and the object. According to Wikipedia.org, parameter is a term that is used to "identify a characteristic, a feature, a measurable factor that can help defining a particular system". For this question, the manipulated variable (or independent variable) is the "number" (parameter) of "marbles" (object) while the responding variable (or dependent variable) is the "volume" (parameter) of "water in measuring cylinder" (object). The fixed variable (or static variable) for this question would be the "size" (parameter) of "marbles" (object). 

Then, identifying the key question will be the next step as this will help you to determine what type of answer script is needed to answer these questions. The keyword, or we refer it directly the key question itself for 2a is "purpose", 2b(i) is "constant variable", 2b(ii) is "responding variable" and 2c is "conclusion". 

Now, we will proceed to the next step, that is choosing the best and suitable answer script. Based on the key questions that have been identified, this will ease us on providing the answer. The only restriction the students will face is to remember which script goes to which key question. Below, I have provided the list of key questions and its answer script. But, not all key question has an answer script because some key question requires some mathematical operation and logical reasoning based on science facts.

Key Question: Purpose
Answer Script: To investigate the relationship between the (manipulated variable) and the (responding variable).

Key Question: Relationship (or Hypotheses)
Answer Script: If the (manipulated variable)(trend pattern), then the (responding variable)(trend pattern)


Key Question: Conclusion 
Answer Script (1): When the (manipulated variable)(trend pattern), so will the (responding variable)(trend pattern)
Answer Script (2): The (trend pattern) the (manipulated variable), the (trend pattern) the (responding variable).
Answer Script (3): -make a general statement when one of the variables have no trend pattern-


Key Question: Observation
Basically, to answer this question, you need to make statement based on the result of the question given. It can be either in three types. 
Answer Script (1): The (responding variable)(trend pattern)
Answer Script (2): The (responding variable) of (object B) is much (adjective) than the (responding variable) of (object A) - when there are two objects of the same kind. 
For instance, the brightness of bulb in the parallel circuit is much brighter than the brightness of bulb in the serial circuit.


Key Question: Inference
Answer Script: (Observation) because (Science fact)
For example: The brightness of bulb in the parallel circuit is much brighter than the brightness of bulb in the serial circuit because the parallel circuit has less electrical resistance than the serial circuit.


Key Question: Variables (also Information)
Basically, just rewrite the variable requested.


Key Question: Trend Pattern (also known as changing trend and changing pole)
Answer Script: Increases / Decreases / Static or No changes 


Key Question: Predict
Basically, you need to do some logical reasoning or mathematical operation to answer the question.


Based on the question above, these are the answers for:
2(a) - To investigate the relationship between the number of marbles and the volume of water in the measuring cylinder.
2(b)i - Size of marbles
2(b)ii - Volume of water in the measuring cylinder
2(c) - When the number of marbles increases, so will the volume of water in the measuring cylinder increases.


Finally, time management is the key to success in answering all the questions in Section B. No matter how good you are in providing the answer, if you don't answer within the required time, no marks nor even extra time will be given. A good time division is required to get the best of Section B. For each main question, spend a maximum of 10 minutes per main question. My suggestion is give at least 4 to 5 minutes or less to do Step 1, that is interpreting the question and identifying the variables. Step 2 and 3 is a process that is done together. Spend about 3 - 4 minutes to answer the sub-question. Remember, try to allocate 40 minutes or so to answer all the questions in Section B.

Hope this guide will serve nicely to our youngsters who will be sitting their National Primary School Exam this September.

Cheers. ^^


Reference:

Archimedes Principle on Wikipedia.org. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes_Principle

Parameter on Wikipedia.org. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parameter

Smith, M. & Robinson, L. (2012). How To Improve Your Memory. Help Guide Organization Portal. Available at http://www.helpguide.org/life/improving_memory.htm