BIOLOGY 3 – SPM EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1

1. OBSERVATION

QUESTION : State two observations….

ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only.

- Usually have units and values
- Link MV and RV
- Do not do the analysis, comparison or conclusion.

2. INFERENCE

State one scientific explanation which corresponds to each observation

3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS

Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, measuring tools , ruler etc. from the
given diagram.

4. COMMUNICATING

Construct the table using the given titles and units, record the relevant data or calculation.

5. INTERPRETING DATA

State the relationship and explain

6. VARIABLES

Manipulated variable – 1st column of table/from question

Responding variable – 2nd 3rd column of table/ from question
Fixed variable – from question (1 is enough)
 BIOLOGY 3 – SPM EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

CONTROLLING VARIABLES

Variables Method to handle the variables

(STATE) (MUST USE VERB and state the
INSTRUMENT used)

MANIPULATED Use different …

RESPONDING Record / measure RV 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 (MV)

 State the responding variable (RV)
 State the relationship between MV and RV

8. PREDICTING

QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated ….., predict the observation ……

ANSWER : One number or relevant statement

-increase
-decrease
-same/constant
-more than
-Less than
X more or less

9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY

EXAMPLE : Based on the results of the experiment, what can you deduce about
vitamin C ?

YOUR ANSWER MUST BEGIN WITH : Vitamin C is …..

(Your answer must based on the results of the experiment, not exactly from the
theory)
 BIOLOGY 3 – SPM EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

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 … with time

PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2

Students must have all of the following :

 Problem statement
 Aim of investigation/ objective
 Hypothesis
 Variables
 List of apparatus
 List of materials
 Technique used
 Experimental procedure or method
 Presentation of data
 Conclusion

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Must be in a question form.

(What/how/is/does…?)

2. AIM

Write down as in the question

To study/determine/investigate/estimate/correlate/analyse/ show/identify/ observe/test/
compare and contrast/ examine/ illustrate/ demonstrate

3. HYPOTHESIS

Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:

 State the manipulated variable
 State the responding variable
 Relate the MV and RV
Higher………..higher/ lower
 BIOLOGY 3 – SPM EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

Bigger……….. bigger/smaller
More………… lesser

4. VARIABLES

Manipulated variable:
Responding variable
Fixed variable: (1 is enough)

5. APPARATUS (can be used over again)

List down at least 3 apparatus .

MATERIALS (can be used only once)

List down at least 3 materials

6. TECHNIQUE

How to measure responding variable (RV)

√: (observe/ measure/ calculate/ test/ count/ weight) + record or record
X: see/read/determine
Word record must be use
State the apparatus used
Example : ( i ) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to change the 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.

7. PROCEDURE / METHOD

Write down each step clearly and systematically (include precautionary steps) .
K1: technique of assembling the apparatus to carry out the experiment
K2: technique of fixing the FV
K3: technique of changing the MV
K4: technique of measuring the RV
K5: precautionary method to increase accuracy/formula

8. PRESENTATION OF DATA

Construct the table with the correct titles and units (results – no need) .
 BIOLOGY 3 – SPM EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

9. CONCLUSION

State the hypothesis exactly as above + hypothesis is accepted.

*no discussion
*diagram for procedure not necessary
*there are activities without hypothesis and variables (rarely given as exam questions)
*strictly follow this sequence for report not what is suggested by question