O LEVEL SPA

walau11 SG

I am a sec 4 stud this year

And I am damn worried abt my Pure Chem, Phy, and Bio spa..

For phy spa, I have done one assessed SPA, and I totally messed it up..

I did not set up the experiment correctly and I asked help of my teacher 2x.. Very nervous, I supposed to say. I hope I can still secure at least A2, but I don't think it is possible. Any tips so I could do better in my next 2 assesments?

For chem spa, actually I have not done "assessed SPA" although I have done practical several times. I'm afraid that I will mess up it again.. Especially conducting and setting up the experiment. And, I do not remember the teacher teach us how to make a report, unlinke physics. May someone help me? Please give me a tips how to ace it and teach me how to make a report. Once again, please !

Anyway, I have read this: http://sgforums.com/forums/2297/topics/344126

Thanks!!

walau11 SG

PS: Next week I will have my first SPA Chem assessment (skill 1&2, I supposed?)

Do we have to make report of it?

Thanks!

UltimaOnline SG

You’ll have to check with your classmates and ask your teacher to clarify about the upcoming SPA sessions.

SPA is something that is handled entirely by the school (hence School-based Practical Assessment), not an external authority such as Cambridge.

Schools must compulsorily give all necessary instructions and preparatory materials to their students. Just follow your teacher’s instructions exactly, and you should have no problem clearing your SPA.

Sorry, I’ve no specific tips or anything further to add regarding SPA, especially at ‘O’ levels.

Anyone who has anything else to add, please feel free to go ahead.

qdtimes2 SG

hmm..i graduated from sec schl in 2009, and took my 1st sciences spa in sec3. they had probably changed things and such. i don't remember the need to write a report as we are only required to carry out the experiment and answering the questions.

dun give up on working hard..i had once absolutely screwed up a physics spa but still managed to score A2 overall in O lvls. try staying calm and think/stimulate through experimental skills beforehand. rmb to clarify any doubts with ur teacher quickly.

atomos SG

Did your school provide a booklet on SPA guide for students?

Besides the skills to carry out the instructions, you will need to be aware of presenting your data in a proper manner (usually in the form of a table.)

Have proper headings in your table of data.

Depending on your apparatus, take note of the degree of accuracy in your data.

Common ones used are the burette (for titration experiments) and thermometer (for experiments involving heat).

While the teachers can't tell you exactly what will be tested prior to the day, they can tell you the topics that would be involved.

walau11 SG

Thanks for all answers!!

Your tips really help me!!

And, my school unfortunately does not provide SPA booklet..

My teacher just now teached us how to process data..

And, now my concern is how to write key source of error and experimental error.

For i.e titration and other experiment, how to write it>?

Thx!!

atomos SG

Many possible experimental errors for titration, it depends on the context of the experiment.

1) If solution was prepared by dissolving solid mixture (to find out percentage mass)

Possible error: mixture was not homogeneous (not uniformly mixed)

2) Titration involving heat changes measurements

Possible error: loss of heat to surroundings

3) Titration involving "real-life chemicals" e.g. apple juices, toilet cleaner, baking powder

Possible error: Presence of other reactive additives inside the sample

Not possible to list out all possibilities, would have to use a bit of your logical thinking (which is purpose of SPA anyway....)

walau11 SG

Thanks for the answer!!

Very helpful!!

What experiments may be tested for bio spa transport in plants?

May someone help me?

Thanls!!

Tchristabel SG

Hi have u taken the bio spa yet? Any tips for me? Cos im tested on transport in plants too..

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Transport in plants... the most common one is the potato, sugar/salt solution, water. Another one is photosynthesis w or w/o light, and iodine solution.

Tchristabel SG

Thanks for your advice ! :)

walau11 SG

Thanks for all the answer!!!

I'm sorry if I dont reply the posts. m(_ _)m

2nd spa for Chem is coming!!

I'm terribly terrorized T.T T.T

The upcoming SPA is about :

1. Rate of Reaction

2. Redox Reaction

3. Energy Change

4. Acid Bases Salt

Could someone give me some tips, precaution, and possible experiments to come out?

Thanks a lot!!