To pass science exams well, you need to start studying well in advance.
Two terms of your matric year have already passed, and you are still struggling to prepare for your science tests and exams. With the record exam around the corner, you experience a lot of stress.
Do not lose hope. Here are some tips from someone who knows.
Cronjé Oosthuizen, Head of Department: Physical Sciences at Alexander Road High School in Port Elizabeth says the biggest mistake learners make, is to open there books only three days before an examination.
"Study long before the exam, " he says. "You can't cram all the work in the last three days before the exam. Learners struggle the most remembering definitions and applying mathematical principles as well as solving equations."
"The absence of basic knowledge of grades 9 to 11, especially in chemistry, hinder them the most. Remember that back to basics always count. It is important to know your grade 10 and 11 concepts and to use them in grade 12."
Oosthuizen also suggests that learners should learn definitions and theories before they try to practice applications. It helps a lot to learn according to the guidelines supplied for science by the Department of Education. {Note: Free State learners should use the documents called Examinable Content for learners; your teachers have the detail of where to get them.} Along with applying those guidelines you can download old exam papers from the internet (www.ecexams.co.za) and work them out. {Note: Free State exam and test papers are available here.} Then you practice your "exam ability"! Remember to eat healthy as well and get enough sleep.
"Physical Sciences is Applied Mathematics,” says Oosthuizen. "So, it's important that you incorporate mathematical thinking. This includes problem-solving, interpretation of graphs, gradients of curves and the increase or decrease of gradients. Also think in terms of calculus when you work with graphs. In chemistry's stoichiometry: remember the increase and decrease in terms of relationships as in math."
He recommends that science teachers help their learners with online class notes and videos for revision.
"We no longer have time for revision in class, because the syllabus is too full. I have started www.alexscience.yolasite.com to help our learners. It is free but need some time. Another method is to use sites such as www.schoology.com. Children work on their electronic devices; so, it must also be used for academic reasons."
