SPM Biology Paper 3

Guidelines on how to answer Paper 3 questions.

The following pointers were made available by MOE to schools as SPM
examination techniques for answering Biology Paper 3 questions. Take note that it is
relatively easy to score high marks in Paper 3 if you are able to follow the suggested
answering techniques closely.
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1
The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:
1. OBSERVATION
QUESTION : State two observations.
ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do any analysis,
comparison or conclusion. For most experiments, the observation can be written in the
form:
The .(responding variable) .. at ..(manipulated variable) is (state reading of
measuring instrument)
(Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of the responding variable.)
2. INFERENCE
State one inference which corresponds to each observation. An inference is a brief
explanation of the observation, based on scientific knowledge which you already know.
3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS
Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, measuring tools , ruler etc. from the
given diagram. Be careful of the number of decimal places which you should have in
your readings.
4. COMMUNICATING
Construct the table using the given titles, record the relevant data or calculation. Units
of measurements should be written together with table titles, not with readings.
5. INTERPRETING DATA
Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and responding variables as obtained
from a graph of the results.
6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Variables
(STATE)

MANIPULATED
RESPONDING

Method to handle the

variables
(MUST USE VERB and
state the INSTRUMENT
used)
Use / .
Record / measure using .

CONTROLLED

(Observe/ read/ are not

accepted)
Use the same/ Maintain

7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:
State the manipulated variable
State the responding variable
Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (When relating mv
and rv, do not use neutral relationships like affects or influence or changes
with. Commit yourself to one of the following relationship terms: increases
with / decreases with.
8. PREDICTING
QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated .., predict the observation
ANSWER : One number or relevant statement e.g. the (responding variable) will be
higher / lower than (the value in the first experiment)
9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY
This is a definition in the context of the experiment, and not the textbook definition.
EXAMPLE 1: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and the number
of bubbles released is counted. The operational definition of photosynthesis would then
be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release bubbles in the presence of light,
carbon dioxide and water.
EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and leaves are
tested with iodine solution for the presence of starch. The operational definition of
photosynthesis would be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the presence of light, carbon dioxide
and water,produce starch which turns iodine solution dark blue.
(You must have a phrase which includes the context of the experiment / experimental
conditions.)
(Note: The operational definition is supposed to tell a person (whom you assume does not
know a single thing about the principles in the first place) what to observe as the
responding variable and the conditions in which the experiment is taking place (tell what
is the fixed variable and the how the manipulated variable is represented)

10. CLASSIFYING

Students must complete the given table according to the title . If the table is not provided,
construct the table according to the classification given .
11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP
State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use relationship words like
increases with / decreases with / remains constant with / increases proportionately with /
etc. Do not use neutral relationship terms like affects / influences / changes with.