SPM PAPER 3 (mainly applicable to Biology and Chemistry)

SPM Biology Paper 3 (applicable to Paper 3 Chemistry but not so for Physics P3
Guidelines on how to answer Paper 3 questions.
The following pointers were made available by MOE to schools as SPM
examination techniques for answering Biology Paper 3 questions. Take note that it is
relatively easy to score high marks in Paper 3 if you are able to follow the suggested
answering techniques closely.
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1
The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:
1. OBSERVATION
QUESTION : State two observations.
ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do any analysis,
comparison or
conclusion. For most experiments, the observation can be written in the form:
The .(responding variable) .. at ..(manipulated variable) is (state reading of
measuring instrument)
( Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of the responding variable.)
2. INFERENCE
State one inference which corresponds to each observation. An inference is a brief
explanation of the observation, based on scientific knowledge which you already
know.
(But in Physics, the scheme demands that inferences be written as follows: The
(responding variable) is determined by/affected by/ influenced by/ controlled by/
changed by (manipulative variable).
3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS
Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, measuring tools , ruler etc. from the
given diagram. Be careful of the number of decimal places which you should have in
your readings.
4. COMMUNICATING
Construct the table using the given titles, record the relevant data or calculation. Units
of measurements should be written together with table titles, not with readings.
5. INTERPRETING DATA
Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and responding variables as
obtained from a graph of the results.
6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Variables
Method to handle the variables
(STATE)
(MUST USE VERB and state the
INSTRUMENT used)
MANIPULATED
Use / .
RESPONDING
Record / measure using .
(Observe/ read/ are not accepted)

CONTROLLED

Use the same/ Maintain

7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:
State the manipulated variable
State the responding variable
Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (When relating
mv and rv, do not use neutral relationships like affects or influence or changes
with. Commit yourself to one of the following relationship terms: increases with /
decreases with .
8. PREDICTING
QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated .., predict the observation
ANSWER : One number or relevant statement e.g. the (responding variable) will be
higher / lower than (the value in the first experiment)
9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY
This is a definition in the context of the experiment, and not the textbook definition.
EXAMPLE 1: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and the
number of bubbles released is counted. The operational definition of photosynthesis
would then be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release bubbles in the presence of
light, carbon dioxide and water.
EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and leaves
are tested with iodine solution for the presence of starch. The operational definition of
photosynthesis would be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the presence of light, carbon
dioxide and water,
produce starch which turns iodine solution dark blue.
(You must have a phrase which includes the context of the experiment / experimental
conditions.)
Or even simpler:
To define operationally, say the question is asking you concerning Operational
Definition of Strong Acids, and the manipulative variable is the acid with various pH
value and the responding variable is The Reading of The pH meter.
Hence the operational definition is :
A strong acid causes the pH meter to show a smaller magnitude reading when the
bulb of the pH meter is immersed in each of the samples of various concentrations of
the acid, given that the volume of the tested acids is the same and all acids are of the
same type.
(Note: The operational definition is supposed to tell a person (whom you assume does not
know a single thing about the chemical principles in the first place) what to observe as the
responding variable and the conditions in which the experiment is taking place (tell what is
the fixed variable and the how the manipulated variable is represented)
Another example is: The elasticity of vulcanised rubber
Given the experiment is the experiment comparing the elasticity of two strips of rubber,

one vulcanised, the other non-vulcanised.

Hence, the operational definition of 'the Elasticity of Rubber' is given as:
The Elasticity of Rubber is operationally defined as the "Difference between final lengths of
the respective rubber strips after the weight used to stretch is removed, and their
respective original lengths" given that the two rubber strips have the same initial length but
are of different types of rubber, one being vulvanised rubber, the other being nonvulcanised rubber.
Another example: define operationally the Rate of Reaction (based on the experiment on
this Factor: Temperature of reaction mixture) i.e. the effect of temperature on the rate of
reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate solution and dilute sulphuric acid, H2SO4
hence, we define the 'Rate of Reaction' as follows:
The rate of reaction is operationally defined as "The time taken for the cross 'X' to
disappear" when the "sodium thiosulphate solution is heated to various temperatures" and
then reacted with dilute sulphuric acid, given that both the "dilute sulphuric acid and
sodium thiosulphate solutions are of standard volumes and concentrations".
Note that I have inverted comma-ed the 'responding variable---the factor we are supposed
to observe', the 'manipulative variable---the variable being obviously manipulated here'
and also the 'fixed variable---the variable being clearly controlled here'.

10. CLASSIFYING
Students must complete the given table according to the title . If the table is not
provided, construct the table according to the classification given .
11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP
State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use relationship words like
increases with / decreases with / remains constant with / increases proportionately
with / etc. Do not use neutral relationship terms like affects / influences / changes
with.
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2
This question tests students ability to plan an experiment in a given format.
Students must have all of the following :
1.
Problem statement
2.
Aim of investigation
3.
Hypothesis
4.
Variables
5.
List of apparatus and materials
6.
Technique used
7.
Experimental procedure or method
8.
Presentation of data
9.
Conclusion
1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Must be written in the form of a question remember to end with a question mark.

2. AIM
Write down the aim as given in the question.

3. HYPOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:
State the manipulated variable
State the responding variable
Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (Remember no
neutral relationship terms)

4. VARIABLES
Write down all 3 variables (one of each)
5. TECHNIQUE
In a complete sentence, write down what is observed or measured (include the
instrument used). State the specific name of the technique where applicable.
Example :
(i) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to change blue DCPIP to
colourless, using a syringe.
(ii)Measure and record the initial and final temperature of the water in the boiling tube
using a thermometer.
6. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS
List down at least 3 materials and 3 apparatus .
7. PROCEDURE / METHOD
Write down each step clearly and systematically (include precautionary steps) .
Your steps should include the following:
K1 Steps where you describe how apparatus and materials are handled.
K2 Steps where you describe how the controlled variable is maintained
K3 Steps where you describe how the manipulated variable is altered
K4 Steps where you describe how the responding variable is measured and the
instrument to be used.
K5 Precautionary steps which ensure safety / improve accuracy of readings.
(Since this is a planning of an experiment to be carried out, procedures should be
written as a set of instructions and not in passive speech.
8. PRESENTATION OF DATA
Construct the table with the correct titles and units (Table is to be left blank,
without results / readings).
9. CONCLUSION
Repeat or modify the hypothesis sentence. It is not required to write the phrase
therefore the hypothesis is accepted / rejected" (since you are planning an
experiment and have not carried it out.)