Download our FREE 47-pages-Science Keyword Revision Guide + Join our WhatsApp Parent Community

As parents, we all want to see our children do well—especially in high-stakes exams like the PSLE. And if your child is preparing for PSLE Science, you may have noticed this:

✅ They understand the concept… but
❌ still lose marks in open-ended questions.

The culprit? Missing or incorrect keywords.

In PSLE Science, keywords are everything. MOE markers award marks based on specific phrasing and key terms. Even if your child understands the concept well, not using the right words can cost them valuable marks.

So What Exactly Are Science Keywords?

Science keywords are the exact phrases or terms examiners look out for when marking open-ended questions. These words carry scientific accuracy and show that your child knows not just what is happening, but why and how—in the language expected at the PSLE level.

For example: Saying “the ice melted” might not score.
But saying “the ice gained heat and changed state from solid to liquid” hits the keywords and secures the marks.

Why Are Keywords So Important for PSLE Science?

Here’s what many parents don’t realise:

🔍 PSLE Science markers use a marking scheme. If your child’s answer doesn’t include certain key terms, it’s considered incomplete.

💬 Vague answers = lost marks. Even if your child’s answer is technically correct, it needs to be precise and scientifically accepted.

✏️ Open-ended questions (OEQs) are where the most marks can be gained—or lost. Mastering keywords is one of the fastest ways to improve scores.

How Can You Help Your Child?

Here are some practical ways you can support your child in mastering Science keywords:

✅ 1. Focus on Common PSLE Topics

Group keywords by topics like Heat, Forces, Life Cycles, and Plant Systems.
👉 We’ve compiled 47-pages must-know Science keywords for revision – download them here

✅ 2. Use Keywords in Full Sentences

Encourage your child to practise writing out answers using the keywords—not just memorising them. This builds exam confidence and accuracy.

✅ 3. Study Past Definition Questions

Definition-type questions are a common trap in PSLE. Make sure your child learns how to phrase their answers clearly.
👉 Read our parent-friendly guide to PSLE Science Definition Questions

🎁 Download: 47 Must-Know PSLE Science Keywords

This cheat sheet is specially designed for Primary 3–6 students to revise topic-specific keywords and understand when to use them.

📥 Click here to download the Science Keywords Revision Notes (PDF)

💬 Join Our PSLE Science WhatsApp Parent Community

Want more tips like these? We share parent-friendly strategies, mock questions, and study tips directly with our WhatsApp community.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join hundreds of parents working together to support their child’s PSLE journey.

👉 Click here to join the WhatsApp community

Let’s help your child gain the confidence—and keywords—to ace PSLE Science. 💪