School-based Science Practical Assessment (SPA) for GCE 'O' Level in Singapore
Encyclopedia
The School-based Science Practical Assessment is a component in the Singapore
-Cambridge GCE 'O' Level Examination's Physics
[5058], Chemistry
[5072] and Biology
[5094] subjects. It assesses candidates' competence in science practical skills over an appropriate period of time that the candidates are offered the subject, and constitutes 20% of the overall marks for the subject. SPA replaced the traditional Practical Examination, which was normally conducted at the end of the 2-year course, in 2006. Instead of a one-time practical examination, pupils will be assessed on their practical skills in a series of practical sessions throughout the 2-year course.
Skill set 1 – Performing and Observing
Skill set 2 – Analysing
Skill set 3 – Planning
Each candidate is assessed twice for each of skill sets 1 and 2 and once for skill set 3.
For skill sets 1 and 2, the assessment is in the form of a practical task which requires candidates to perform an experiment
, make relevant observations and draw conclusions; for skill set 3, candidates are required to analyse a practical problem and produce an appropriate procedure
based on the aim of the investigation.
The questions are set by Singapore's Ministry of Education
(MOE). Schools are provided with a variety of question types, but it is up to the school to decide on a suitable topic for the students (e.g. Titration
for Chemistry). Schools prepare candidates through science practical practice sessions. Candidates are informed of the general topic and the skills to be assessed at least 2 weeks prior to the assessment
date. As the assessment is school-based, it is scheduled, carried out and marked by the school, after which the scripts will be sent to MOE for inspection and moderation. The question papers are highly confidential documents because there may be candidates from different schools taking the same question at different dates. The scores for the assessment are kept confidential and are never disclosed to the candidates.
In addition, candidates are required to maintain a portfolio
containing completed and marked assessments and daily tasks. It is to provide evidence of the learning of practical skills and evidence that the prescribed range of competencies and topics have been covered. The portfolio will be inspected by MOE officers; if it is found to be unable to comply with the assessment requirements, the candidate's results may be nullfied.
Skill Set 2: Analysing (25%)
Skill Set 3: Planning (25%)
Skill 1.1 is different from the other skill strands, in that it is assessed throughout the duration of the practical assessment itself. It tests the candidates' ability to perform the given experiment safely and without assistance, and to demonstrate correct experimental techniques and skills.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-Cambridge GCE 'O' Level Examination's Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
[5058], Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
[5072] and Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
[5094] subjects. It assesses candidates' competence in science practical skills over an appropriate period of time that the candidates are offered the subject, and constitutes 20% of the overall marks for the subject. SPA replaced the traditional Practical Examination, which was normally conducted at the end of the 2-year course, in 2006. Instead of a one-time practical examination, pupils will be assessed on their practical skills in a series of practical sessions throughout the 2-year course.
Assessment Format
The assessment is grouped into three skill sets:Skill set 1 – Performing and Observing
Skill set 2 – Analysing
Skill set 3 – Planning
Each candidate is assessed twice for each of skill sets 1 and 2 and once for skill set 3.
For skill sets 1 and 2, the assessment is in the form of a practical task which requires candidates to perform an experiment
Experiment
An experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying, or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. Experiments vary greatly in their goal and scale, but always rely on repeatable procedure and logical analysis of the results...
, make relevant observations and draw conclusions; for skill set 3, candidates are required to analyse a practical problem and produce an appropriate procedure
Procedure (term)
A procedure is a sequence of actions or operations which have to be executed in the same manner in order to always obtain the same result under the same circumstances ....
based on the aim of the investigation.
The questions are set by Singapore's Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
(MOE). Schools are provided with a variety of question types, but it is up to the school to decide on a suitable topic for the students (e.g. Titration
Titration
Titration, also known as titrimetry, is a common laboratory method of quantitative chemical analysis that is used to determine the unknown concentration of an identified analyte. Because volume measurements play a key role in titration, it is also known as volumetric analysis. A reagent, called the...
for Chemistry). Schools prepare candidates through science practical practice sessions. Candidates are informed of the general topic and the skills to be assessed at least 2 weeks prior to the assessment
Assessment
Educational assessment is the process of documenting, usually in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs. Assessment can focus on the individual learner, the learning community , the institution, or the educational system as a whole...
date. As the assessment is school-based, it is scheduled, carried out and marked by the school, after which the scripts will be sent to MOE for inspection and moderation. The question papers are highly confidential documents because there may be candidates from different schools taking the same question at different dates. The scores for the assessment are kept confidential and are never disclosed to the candidates.
In addition, candidates are required to maintain a portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio literally means "a case for carrying loose papers," ....
containing completed and marked assessments and daily tasks. It is to provide evidence of the learning of practical skills and evidence that the prescribed range of competencies and topics have been covered. The portfolio will be inspected by MOE officers; if it is found to be unable to comply with the assessment requirements, the candidate's results may be nullfied.
Requirements
Skill Set 1: Performing and Observing (50%)- Strand 1.1: Demonstrating experimental techniques and skills
- Strand 1.2: Making observations and/or readings and measurements
- Strand 1.3: Presenting Data
Skill Set 2: Analysing (25%)
- Strand 2.1: Processing Data
- Strand 2.2: Drawing Conclusions
Skill Set 3: Planning (25%)
- Strand 3.1: Planning an investigation
- Strand 3.2: Producing a procedure for the investigation
Skill 1.1 is different from the other skill strands, in that it is assessed throughout the duration of the practical assessment itself. It tests the candidates' ability to perform the given experiment safely and without assistance, and to demonstrate correct experimental techniques and skills.