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Conquer Science 5 Steps to

Open-Ended Questions

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 2

INTRODUCTION

How to Skillfully Tackle Science Open-Ended Questions And

Confidently Write Mark-Clinching Answers In Science Exams

Needless to say, the most-feared part of Science exams is the Open-Ended

Section. And there’s little surprise why.

First, Open-Ended Questions (OEQs) give students free reign to write

anything they want, which also means there’s a greater margin for error.

Add to that, open-ended answers tend to have certain stipulated criteria that

must be met before marks will be awarded, and students doubt their ability

to meet those criteria.

Understandably, all these contribute to a sense of uncertainty and anxiety

over the Open-Ended Section, and for many students, it also gives rise to a

form of “monkey chatter” inside their heads. This flurry of distracting, non-

beneficial thoughts usually sound something like that:

Do the above sound familiar?

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 3

In fact, I know you’re an involved parent and you’ve probably seen your

child experience this and can wholeheartedly agree…

THE STRESS IS REAL!

While it helps to remind your child to stay calm and positive while answering

OEQs, a more practical approach would be to give him a step-by-step,

structured approach to guide his thoughts onto the right track.

Your child just wants someone to tell them exactly how to skillfully answer

Science open-ended questions without stress and overwhelm, so he can

score more marks in this section, and get his desired grade. This 5 Step

Guide will help him with that.

In this Guide, your child will learn the exact 5 steps that guide your child’s

thought process on how to approach, analyse and answer Science

OEQs confidently, ensuring that he stays focused and clear-headed while

tackling OEQs.

With consistent practice

following the 5 steps in

this Guide, your child’s

“monkey chatter” inside

his head will soon be

trained to quieten down

as he confidently and

skillfully tackles OEQs.

Let’s dive into the 5

Steps to Conquer OEQs

now!

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 4

Step #1:

IDENTIFY THE QUESTION’S OVERALL CONCEPT

Knowing the overall concept from the outset is gold! It brings sharper focus to

the question and allows you to quickly narrow down your answers to get to

the correct one. Here’s how to do it:

First, read through the question at least twice and attempt to understand

what’s going on in the question as best as you can.

Next, identify the specific concepts or topics that the question is testing on.

Do this by looking out for “clues” in the question that lead you to what the

overall concept of the question might be.

Let me illustrate with this example:

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 5

Let’s assume you don’t know how to answer the above question, and I’ll

show you how finding “clues” in the question can help you get to the correct

answer.

The “clues” in this question are: (1) the beakers; (2) the experimental set-up,

consisting of the beakers, water and objects that are fully immersed and then

removed from the water; and of course, (3) the word “volume”.

These “clues”, together with your knowledge of Science concepts and some

logic, would help you identify that the question is testing the concept of

Volume. Hence, your answer must be a property of solid that is related to

volume (and not any other aspect, like mass, weight, shape, etc).

Did you see how the clues in the question pointed you to the correct answer?

The more you delve into the details of a question, the more likely you’ll be

able to pick out helpful clues that give you a clearer picture of what the

question is testing you on.

And I’ll end this step with good news for you: This strategy is also applicable

to MCQs! It will help you eliminate wrong options, so you can get to the right

answer in a matter of seconds. Try it!

YOUR ACTION STEP: Jot down the overall concept or topic that you

identified next to the question. This will help keep you focused on what the

question is testing you on (especially useful for more complicated questions).

Want to learn the 3 types of “clues” that help point you to a question’s overall

concept? Check out Identify the Question’s Overall Concept

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 6

Step #2:

IDENTIFY THE PROCESS SKILL FOR THE QUESTION

The “process skill” for a question is easily identified from the opening

word/words in the question stem. Examples of “process skill” words include:

• “Identify…”

• “Describe…”

• “Explain why…”

• “Explain how…”

• “State…”

• “Compare…”

Identifying a question’s “process skill” is critical to writing a “complete”

answer, as it tells you what type of details and how much details you’re

expected to provide in your answer. Let me illustrate with the following:

“Describe” vs “State”: The answer to a “Describe” question must include

an elaboration of the main points of whatever’s being asked, in addition to

stating the main points. In contrast, a “State” question doesn’t require any

such elaboration, so don’t waste exam time doing so, since you won’t get

marks for giving extra information.

“Explain”: For an “Explain” question, the explanation in your answer must

include a mention of the relevant Science facts/ concepts that back up your

answer. Leaving it out would render your answer incomplete, and prevent

you from getting the full marks for the question.

YOUR ACTION STEP: Circle the “Process Skill” word in the question and

use it to guide you on the type and level of details you would expect yourself

to write in your answer.

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 7

Further Reading

Want to make sure you’re not missing out anything in your explanations?

Read 3 Major Mistakes To Avoid When Answering “Explain” Questions

If you tend to give “incomplete” or “too long” answers to “Explain How”

Questions, read 3 Practical Tips To Answer “Explain How” Questions Fully

Want to learn the exact type and level of details that’s expected in answers to

common exam questions, as well as how to structure these details coherently

in your answer? Check out Master Basic Question Types

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 8

Step #3:

CRAFT A GREAT ANSWER

Yes! Craft the answer, not simply write out the first answer that pops into

your mind. It takes skills to be able to craft clear, mark-clinching answers that

demonstrate the asked-for knowledge and skills and meet the specific

demands of questions.

Some questions are more “demanding” than others. Learn how to to meet the

various types of “demands” set by examiners, so you don’t lose marks

unnecessarily.

“Question demands” that you’re not aware of inadvertently become “question

traps”, causing you to lose marks through poor phrasing or poor word choice

although you may actually know the answer to the question.

I created a list of 5 common types of “question demands”, and in it, I show

you how you can meet those “demands” in your answers. Grab it now (link

given in the Action Step below) and sidestep these common “question traps”

right away.

If you’ve downloaded it before, review it again to ensure you’re putting all

those pointers into practice.

YOUR ACTION STEP: Download this PDF resource: “5 Sure-Fire Ways to

Stop Losing Marks in Science Open-Ended Section B”

Want to learn the various “question demands” so they don’t turn into

“question traps” for you? Check out Phrase Your Answers Better

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 9

Step #4:

GET HELP FROM PAST PRACTICES

You’ve gotten this far at analysing the question and writing a well-crafted,

well-thought out answer (Steps #1 - #3). Good job!

But what happens if, at this juncture, you’re still feeling stuck and unsure how

to answer the question? Well, it’s time to call for back-up!

The back-up strategy is to get help from your past experience of answering

similar practice questions. Doing this, instead of making wild-guesses, will

stand you in a better stead to clinch the full marks for a question.

Here’s how you can make your past practices count, so that they serve to

help you when you most need it:

Whenever you come across a novel, challenging, or commonly-tested

question in your daily practice, make note of the question and its answer into

a notebook.

It is essential that you jot down the keywords that must be present in the

answer, as well as pay close attention to the manner in which those

keywords are phrased in the answer.

Be consistent at doing this, and soon your list of questions and templated

answers (i.e. answers that contain the right keywords used in the right

manner of phrasing) will prove useful in bringing you through questions that

you might otherwise be stuck at.

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 10

YOUR ACTION STEP: In a notebook, create a list of templated answers

for questions that you find novel, challenging, or haven’t mastered well

enough. Be sure to review and add to this list regularly.

Further Reading

Want exam preparation tips to secure marks even before the exam? Read

The One Special Type Of Open-Ended Question You Can (And Should) Nail

Every Single Time

Want the answering strategy to score in Application questions even when

you’re stuck? Read How To Seize Marks for Science Application Questions

and 5 Steps To Create Your Own Ready-To-Use Answer Templates

Want to receive my done-for-you templated answers (complete with mark-

clinching keywords and appropriate phrasing) to kickstart or expand your own

list? Check out Get Your Keywords Right

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 11

Step #5:

CHECK AND FINETUNE YOUR ANSWERS

Congrats! You’ve now written down your answer – the best one you could

possibly muster thus far. The only thing left to do is to grill your answer to

“perfection” ◊.

Check for “blind spots” in your answers to make sure that you don’t

needlessly lose marks. Examples of typical ‘blind spots’ in answers are:

unintentionally answering in an indirect / “opposite” manner; carelessly

mixing up the labels for set-ups A and B in your answer; and writing

grammatically-inaccurate sentences that convey the wrong meaning.

Let me use illustrate the importance of checking for ‘blind spots’, using this

example:

◊ Take note: In Science, there’s never one single “perfect” answer. As long as the answer

includes relevant keywords that are used in a clear and logical manner, and the answer

addresses what was asked for in the question, marks will be awarded.

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 12

A possible wrong answer where student was unaware / did not check

‘blind spot’: The leaves are not like the roots, which are found in the soil.

They absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Answer Analysis: According to English grammar rules, the word “They” in

the second sentence refers to the subject of the first sentence – “the leaves”.

This means that the answer above is stating that leaves absorb water and

nutrients from the soil — wrong concept!

This error is more likely an overlooked mistake since most students know

that the roots, and not the leaves, is the part of the plant that absorbs water

and nutrients from the soil. Unfortunately, because of this unchecked error,

marks are lost.

A more desirable answer is: Unlike the leaves, the roots of the plant are

found in the soil and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

YOUR ACTION STEP: Take note of your own personal ‘blind spots’ that

have tripped you up while answering OEQs, and be sure that you avoid them

in your answers.

Want to learn the 16 essential questions to ask yourself to avoid the typical

‘blind spots’ in your answers? Check out Finetune Your OEQ Answers

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 13

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Mastering these 5 steps to successfully, skillfully and confidently tackle

Science OEQs cannot be done overnight. But, with time and consistent

practice, the steps will become second-nature to your child and help your child

thrive in Section B, even under the pressurising exam conditions.

To acquire the full range of strategies for each of the 5 Steps mentioned in this

Guide, take advantage of the ‘Conquer Science OEQs’ Bundle (see next

page), available to you at a promotional price.

Lastly, have a question or a comment on anything in this 5 Step Guide? Feel

free to email Mrs Van at ask@studysciencesmart.com and get your questions

answered!

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 14

TAKING IT FURTHER

‘CONQUER SCIENCE OEQS’ BUNDLE (P4 – P6)

WITH THE RIGHT ANSWERING STRATEGIES AND A SYSTEMATIC

APPROACH TO USING THE STRATEGIES, YOUR CHILD CAN CONQUER

SCIENCE OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS. I’LL SHOW YOUR CHILD HOW TO.

What your child will get in this 5-Module Bundle:

• 5 hours of Lesson Time in Step-By-Step Modules: Bite-sized online

videos for anywhere/anytime learning, plus note-taking worksheets that

come complete with practice questions for immediate application of

newly-learnt strategies

• A Bonus Roadmap + Video: Summarises the exact skills to use in each

of the 5 steps, and walks your child through the entire thought process of

applying the strategies in 5 steps while attempting OEQs

• 3-Month Direct Coaching with Mrs Van: Ensures your child nails the

newly-learnt answering strategies in his answers

Conquer Science OEQs for good today!

5 Steps to Conquer Science Open-Ended Questions • © Study Science Smart • Page 15

Hi, I’m Mrs Van, an experienced ex-MOE Science teacher.

You’re an informed and involved parent who chooses to believe that, with the right help, your child can do better in Science.

My students want to do better but just aren’t sure how to. Yet, they are committed and eager to help themselves improve.

I understand the areas in Science that students struggle with. Believe it or not, I was there before! When I was a beginning teacher, I too was stumped at how much the Science exam syllabus and demands had changed over the years. And I took it upon myself to figure out ways to succeed in the Science exams.

Thankfully… trudge on, I did. Today, I possess this huge toolbag of tips, tricks and strategies to overcome the difficult parts of Science exams, and I break it down so that every child can easily acquire these strategies too.

I’d love to share that with your child today! Sign up to get your access to the ‘Conquer Science OEQs’ Bundle.