Science
Science checks basic concepts from physics, chemistry, biology, and environment, usually at the upper-primary level. Expect questions on matter, separation methods, acids and bases, cell structure, nutrition, human body systems, motion, force, light, electricity, and pollution.
Core rules
- Matter: solid, liquid, gas; particles differ in arrangement and movement.
- Acids turn blue litmus red; bases turn red litmus blue.
- Photosynthesis: green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make glucose and release oxygen.
- Speed = distance ÷ time; force can change speed, direction, or shape.
- A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
Worked example
A cyclist covers 100 m in 20 s. Find the speed. Reasoning: speed = distance ÷ time = 100 m ÷ 20 s = 5 m/s. The unit is metres per second because distance is in metres and time in seconds. Answer: 5 m/s.
Traps
- Confusing mass with weight; weight changes with gravity, mass does not.
- Saying plants photosynthesize only at night; they need light.
- Mixing speed with velocity; velocity includes direction.
- Forgetting that acids and bases are identified by indicator colour changes, not by taste.
Read the unit in the question before calculating; a correct number with the wrong unit is still wrong.