As parents, we understand the importance of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and its impact on our children’s educational journey. One subject that often requires focused preparation is Science. In this article, we will provide you with valuable insights from the 2021 and 2022 PSLE Science exam papers. By understanding the exam format, question trends, and key topics, you can support your child in their exam preparation effectively.

2022 PSLE Science Exam

Most-Tested Topics

• Forces (14%)
• Diversity of Living Things (9%)
• Electrical Systems (8%)
• Heat & Temperature (6%)
• Energy in Food (6%)

Least-Tested Topics

• Reproduction in Humans (0 question)
• Water and Its 3 States (0 question)
• Diversity of Materials (1 question)
• Light and Shadows (1 question)
• Food Chain and Food Web, Adaptations (1 question)

By familiarizing yourself with the insights from the 2021 and 2022 PSLE Science exam papers, you can play a vital role in supporting your child’s exam preparation journey. Encourage their curiosity, provide resources, and create a supportive learning environment at home. Remember, success in the PSLE Science exam goes beyond just scores; it’s about fostering a lifelong interest in science and nurturing critical thinking skills.

2021 PSLE Science Exam

Most-Tested Topics

• Heat and Temperature (8%)
• Forms and Uses of Energy (8%)
• Diversity of Living Things (8%)
• Forces (7%)
• States of Matter (7%)

Least-Tested Topics

• Man’s Impact on the Environment (0 question)
• Adaptations (0 question)
• Food Chain and Food Webs (0 question)
• Life Cycle Of Plants (0 question)
• The Circulatory System (0 question)

2021 PSLE Science Exam Paper Analysis

Topic Weightage

Table 1: Summary of Booklet A Analysis

Topics (Booklet A)	Marks Allocated	Level	Theme	Question number
Diversity of Living Things	8	P3/4	Diversity	1, 2, 6, 13
Heat and Temperature	6	P3/4	Energy	24, 26, 27
Forces	4	P5/6	Interactions	20, 23
Electrical Systems	4	P5/6	Systems	18, 22
Diversity of Materials	4	P3/4	Diversity	21, 25
Reproduction in Plants	4	P5/6	Cycles	5, 14
The Plant Transport System	4	P5/6	Systems	4, 8
Matter	4	P3/4	Cycles	15, 16
Air and the Respiratory System	4	P5/6	Systems	3, 12
Plants and their parts	2	P3/4	Systems	9
Water and Changes of state	2	P5/6	Cycles	17
Forms and Uses of Energy	2	P5/6	Energy	19
Magnets and their Characteristics	2	P3/4	Interactions	28
Reproduction in Humans	2	P5/6	Cycles	7
Life Cycles of Animals	2	P3/4	Cycles	10
Digestive system	2	P3/4	Systems	11

 

Table 2: Summary of Booklet B Analysis

Topics (Booklet B)	Marks allocated	Level	Theme	Question number
Forms and Uses of Energy	9	P5/6	Energy	34, 37, 40(c)
Heat and Temperature	4	P3/4	Energy	36
Life Cycles of Animals	4	P3/4	Cycles	32(a, c), 33(a)
Water and Changes of State	4	P5/6	Cycles	33(b), 35
Respiratory and Circulatory System	4	P5/6	Systems	30
Electrical Systems	4	P5/6	Systems	38(b, c)
The Unit of Life	3	P5/6	Systems	29
Digestive system	3	P3/4	Systems	31
Forces	3	P5/6	Interactions	40(a, b, d)
Matter	3	P3/4	Cycles	39
Magnets and their Characteristics	1	P3/4	Interactions	38(a)
Reproduction in animals	1	P5/6	Cycles	33(c)
Diversity of Materials	1	P3/4	Diversity	32(b)

 

 Table 3: Top 10 topics in 2021 PSLE Science Examination Paper

Top 10 Topics (Combined)	Total weightage by marks (%)	Level	Theme
Forms and Uses of Energy	12	P5/6	Energy
Heat and Temperature	10	P3/4	Energy
Respiratory & Circulatory System	8	P5/6	Systems
Electrical Systems	8	P5/6	Systems
Diversity of Living Things	7	P3/4	Diversity
Forces	7	P5/6	Interactions
Matter	7	P3/4	Cycles
Water and Changes of State	6	P5/6	Cycles
Life Cycles of Animals	6	P3/4	Diversity
Digestive system	5	P3/4	Systems

 

As shown in Table 3, this paper focuses on

• Forms and Uses of Energy
• Heat and Temperature
• Respiratory and Circulatory System
• Electrical Systems

Hence, this paper is ideal for your child to practise on these topics.

Question Analysis – PSLE / 2021 / Q32

Let’s analyse Question 32 (on Life cycles and Materials) and Question 35 (on Water cycles).

The discussion of the questions below will include:

1) the model answers

2) explanation of the answers

3) comments on the answers

4) tips or answering techniques for the question.

Q32. George wanted to find out about conditions that affect the breeding of mosquitoes.

In an experiment, George recorded the number of mosquito eggs that hatched in a day out of 20 eggs at different temperatures. He repeated the experiment two more times.

His results are as shown.

Temperature ( °C)	Number of eggs that hatched in a day
Temperature	1st experiment	2nd experiment	3rd experiment
22	8	12	13
28	16	17	19
38	2	0	4

(a) Describe what George could conclude about the effect of temperature on the hatching of mosquito eggs. [2]

The higher the temperature, the more the number of mosquito eggs hatched, until 38 °C, the number of mosquito eggs hatched in a day decreases.

Explanation:

The hatching of mosquito eggs is influenced by temperature. The ideal hatching temperature is between 22 and 27°C.

Comments:  

This is a common relationship question at PSLE. Students are expected to observe there are two relationship patterns from the results table. Students often write one relationship and not the other one.

Tips:

Both the increasing and decreasing relationships must be stated. This question is under life cycles, a P4 topic.

In another experiment, George dropped small balls into a well that contains water.

(b) From the diagram, state one physical property of the balls. [1]

The balls float on water.

Comments: 

Buoyancy is a property of some materials like styrofoam, which allows the material to float on water as the material is lighter than an equal volume of water. This question is under materials, a P3 topic.

 (c) Explain how George’s method reduces the breeding of mosquitoes. [1]

As the balls were able to float on  water, mosquitoes would not be able to lay eggs/harder for them to lay eggs on the surface of the water as they are blocked by the balls, reducing the breeding of mosquitoes.

Explanation:

From the diagram, the balls are buoyant. Mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of stagnant water. With the buoyant balls covering the water surface, the mosquitoes would find it harder to lay their eggs on water.

Comments: 

Students are expected to recall the life cycle of mosquitoes, and how mosquitoes breed on the surfaces of stagnant water. This question also test on observation skills and students must link the property of material to life cycles of animals [combo topic!]

Tips:

Use the observations from the diagram to make links to the concept tested.

Question Analysis – PSLE / 2021 / Q35

Fook Choy wore a face mask in an air-conditioned room. His spectacles became fogged when he breathed.

Explain why his spectacles became fogged. [2]

The spectacles are cold as the spectacles have lost heat to the cooler surrounding air in the air-conditioned room. When he breathed out, warm water vapour from the exhaled air escaped from the face mask, coming into contact with the cooler inner surface of his spectacles. Warmer water vapour lost heat to the cooler inner surface of his spectacle lens, condensing into water droplets, fogging up his glasses.

Explanation:

Firstly, students have to explain why the glasses are cold. They must identify what the cooler region is- the cooler surrounding air in the air-conditioned room. Only stating that the glasses “lost heat” is not adequate. Similarly, stating that the glasses “lost heat to the cooler region” is not acceptable. Students have to be specific in identifying what exactly the cooler region is.

This is a concept under Heat Energy, a P4 topic.

Secondly, students have to recall that when humans exhale, we give off water vapour. This is a concept under Air and the Respiratory system, a P5 topic.

Next, students must explain what happens to the warm water vapour that escapes from the face mask, and it comes into contact with the cooler inner surface of the lens. This is a common answering structure for water and its three states. [Water and its three states is the hidden topic tested in this question.]

Lastly, explain how the invisible water vapour becomes visible water droplets on the glasses.

Recall the process of water vapour becoming water droplets, condensation.

To explain condensation, students must mention the following (HPP):

– Heat loss to the lens

– Condensation (Process)

– Water droplets (Product)

The warm water vapour lost heat (H) to the cooler inner surface of the spectacle lens, condensing (P) into water droplets (P), fogging up his glasses.

Comments: 

Students have to identify that this is a ‘combined topics’ question on water and its three states- a P5 topic, heat energy- a P4 topic, and Air and the Respiratory system, a P5 topic.

The main concept tested is condensation.

There are many specific key words needed to answer this question well. This is a very common application question in upper block science. Students with a poor foundation in P4 concepts, however, will not be able to solve this question.  

The question can be changed in many ways, including testing on evaporation instead. So students are advised to remember the following:

– What is the intitial state? E.g. water vapour, salt water, etc.

– Is it losing heat? Or gaining heat? (H)

– Where is it gaining heat from? E.g. Fire.

Or; where is it losing heat to? E.g. Cooler spectacle lens.

– What is the process? Evaporation is heat gain. Condensation is heat loss. (P)

– For condensation, “coming into contact with…” is needed.

– What is the end product? E.g. water droplets. (P)

Tips:

Use HPP

• Heat gain/ loss
• Process
• Product

 

Together, let’s empower our children to excel in their PSLE Science exam and inspire a love for scientific exploration.

Hope this article benefits your children in writing more accurate and complete answers for the PSLE Science questions and that he/she would score better in the examinations.

Stay tuned for 2023 Examination Paper Analysis and best of luck to your child in their PSLE journey!

Here’s another Primary Science exam paper analysis for you: 2019 PSLE Science Exam Paper Analysis