Subject-Specific Content (Science, Social Science, Mathematics, Languages)
What the subject-specific section tests
Candidates answer content questions in one chosen area: Science, Social Science, Mathematics, or Languages. The focus is secondary-level subject knowledge plus pedagogical content knowledge: can you explain a concept, spot a misconception, and choose a valid example?
Core areas
- Science: laws and processes, units, experimental design, common misconceptions such as mass versus weight and heat versus temperature.
- Social Science: chronology, maps, sources, constitutional values, basic economics and geography.
- Mathematics: number systems, ratio, algebra, geometry, mensuration, and data handling; show every step.
- Languages: comprehension, grammar, literary terms, and language-teaching strategies.
Worked example
A shopkeeper marks an item 20% above cost and allows a 10% discount. What is the profit percentage? Let cost = 100 rupees. Marked price = 120 rupees. Selling price after 10% discount = 120 x 0.90 = 108 rupees. Profit = 8 rupees on 100 rupees, so profit = 8%. The shortcut 20% minus 10% equals 10% is wrong because the discount applies to the marked price, not the cost.
Traps
In mathematics, check whether percentages are on cost or selling price, and convert units before calculating. In science, distinguish definition from example and watch units. In social science, do not confuse dates, titles, and regions. In languages, identify the grammar term being tested rather than choosing by sound.