Sometimes, even when you have complete clarity in science and math topics, you lose marks in exams. The reason is not a lack of knowledge but the inability to frame answers the way examiners expect. In our math and science tuition classes, we have observed this pattern in both primary and secondary students.
Consider this simple example in lower secondary math:
3x−7= 8; find the value of x
Many students just write x = 5 in their answer sheets without showing the working steps. This results in partial negative marking.
Examiners expect that students will give all the derivation steps, like:
3x - 7 = 8
3x = 8 +7
3x = 15
Hence, x = 5
In science, let’s consider a question like,
“Please explain why a moving toy car slows down after some time?”
Many students will write - "Because of friction.” without explaining what it is and how it makes the car slow down.
The strategic and open-ended answer should be:
“Friction between the wheels of the toy car and the floor opposes motion. This force is converted into kinetic energy and then to heat, which causes the car to slow down.”
Open-ended answers are those that cannot be a simple yes or no. These are answers that need analytic explanations to the stated problem, so that there is no place for doubt or assumption.
Every class should guide students to write open-ended answers in the exams to avoid losing marks. Because sometimes, you need to show that you know.
5 Effective Steps To Explain The Way Examiners Expect
A common mistake that most students make is not linking the cause with the effect in their answers. They may have the concepts clear and the answer in their mind too, but failing to explain the facts can make them lose marks. Examiners look for the sequence of reasoning in the answer papers. If you can’t prove that, you’re only going to get partial marks.
Here are five amazing and effective steps to help craft open-ended answers:
Step 1: Understand The Question Properly
In math, almost every time, you need to show the working steps and not only the answer. It helps examiners understand if you have clarity on the topic. Just writing the answer won’t do.
In science, see what the question demands. If it says, “describe how…”, you need to explain the entire process, the scientific concept that goes behind it before writing the answer. If the question says, “State which method..”, state the method and then explain it, linking it to the question. In every situation, it’s best to explain each process to prevent leaving any gaps.
In other words, craft your answer in a way that the examiner gets a clear picture of your understanding of the concept.
Step 2: Map The Answer Logically
You need to plan each answer logically before writing it. First identify the concept that the question asks for. Answering every science question should follow a simple formula -
The Principle ➡️ Reason ➡️ Result.
In the toy car example stated above, the Principle is “Force”, the reason is “Friction”, while the “Result” is the car slowing down. Once you have mapped the answer properly, write it down in clear, concise language for the examiners to understand.
In math, answers must follow these steps:
Identify the formula ➡️Substitute with value ➡️Simplify the problem ➡️Write the answer in words.
If you frame your answers this way, examiners will understand that you have thorough knowledge of the concept, making them give you full marks.
Step 3: Use The Right Logic
Clarity and logic must reflect in all the answers that you write in the exams. Using words, like “because”, “therefore”, "hence", etc., helps maintain a logical flow in your answers. A reputed science tuition will teach you how to use the right terminologies to gain full marks.
For example, instead of writing, “The ball moves faster, because…”, you need to write, “Because of potential energy converting into kinetic energy, the ball accelerates.” The second format of answer will help examiners understand what you understand about energy and motion.
The idea is not to increase the length of your answers. But to provide proper clarity and reason while constructing those answers. With answers based on proper cause-and-effect chains, you can help examiners get a clear picture of your understanding.
Step 4: Identifying How Marks Are Allotted
One thing that we always emphasise in our physics, chemistry and maths tuition is, students must understand how the marks are allotted in the O or A-Level exam questions.
Let’s understand with the help of an example.
Question: A truck starts from rest and accelerates at 2 m/s² for 5 seconds. What will be its final velocity?
After identifying the concept and framing the answer, we can assume that each has 2 marks, as there are four steps involved -
Writing down the working formula
Substituting the same with the given values
Calculating the answer
Writing the answer in words as a conclusion
Once you have a clear picture of this framework, you can rarely lose marks. And that’s what we train primary students to identify in our math and science tuition classes. For secondary students, the steps may be a little more complex to understand, but redundant practices in your physics and chemistry classes can help.
Step 5: Review Each Answer Properly
In exams, you should allot some time for reviewing all your answers before submission. The best way is reviewing each answer after writing it instead of doing it all in the end. If you have missed a step or not written something clearly, reviewing the answer helps you identify it instantly. If you keep it for the last minute, chances are, you'll have a hard time recalling all the concepts at once.
Does This Process Really Work?
Yes, it does. Understanding how to craft your answers in the exam papers prevents losing unnecessary marks, especially if you have all concepts clear.
Helping students practice these five steps to writing well-structured, open-ended answers must be a priority in all science and math tuition centres. Whether you’re teaching a primary, secondary or JC batch, every student should be aware of the ways they can earn full marks in all their answers.
Miracle Learning Centre, a reputed coaching centre in Bukit Timah, Singapore, is a hub of many such training principles with the primary objective of helping students score seamlessly. The experienced tutors keep providing such practical tips and tactics in the regular tuition classes.
You can also enroll in their primary and secondary crash courses in November and December to learn more essential scoring hacks. These are short-term holiday courses available at quite reasonable rates for added motivation and structured revisions.
After all, the aim is to let your answers reflect what you already know.
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