Dalian has recently completed his higher secondary. He is nervous about his higher studies as he is about to make a choice that will define his career. He finds it challenging to prepare for exams as not all information is available in one place.
Additionally, it takes a lot of time to gather that information from the various resources. Like Dalian, many students find it hard to get complete information in one place. This article intends to provide complete information on CSEC integrated science.
What is Integrated Science?
A knowledge of science is essential for young citizens to live in modern society. The science study gives skills and knowledge to improve the quality of life. It allows people to discuss scientific and technological problems and be critical consumers of scientific knowledge.
Integrated science is all about how science works in our daily environment. It covers biology, chemistry, physics, the science of the earth, environmental science, and technology. It is essential that scientific education involves teaching and learning via investigation.
Integrated science enables this research-based approach by the nature of the subject.
CSEC Integrated Science Syllabus
The three themes, the organism and environments, the home and workplace, and the earth’s position in the universe, are the basis of the CSEC integrated science syllabus. It appropriately depicts the standard spheres of human activities and experience.
The unifying features of the curriculum are these topics, and one should consider them a coherent unit.
This approach builds long-term transferrable ethical behavioral skills, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.
It supports technological advances and other teaching and learning techniques to instill those abilities that will be beneficial in everyday life.
At the same time, it intends to cater to multiple intelligences and various styles and requirements of learning.
CSEC Integrated Science Exam
The recent redesign of the integrated science for CSEC examinations emphasizes integrating and applying scientific concepts and principles.
The curriculum encourages inquiry-based learning via the use of a practical approach to learning. Students will go through making observations, asking questions, and performing experiments to answer scientific questions.
Exam Pattern
For in-school exam candidates:
The general proficiency exam consists of two papers and a School-Based Assessment project.
Private exam candidates:
The general proficiency exam consists of three papers.
Private applicants have an alternative to the School-Based Assessment.
This paper will assess the same skills as were evaluated in Paper 031. As a result, the emphasis will be on Experimental Skills and Knowledge Use (Analysis and Interpretation).
| Paper | Time | Question type |
| paper 1 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Multiple choice from all topics (60 questions) |
| Paper 2 | 2 hour 30 minutes | Part A: Four compulsory structured questions from all areas of the syllabus. Question 1 will be an investigative/practical type question. Part B: Two mandatory essay type questions |
| Paper 3/SBA | 2 hour 10 minutes | The applicants’ performance in the practical skills in the laboratory and outdoor activities will be evaluated through the School-Based Assessment. Candidates must maintain a laboratory notebook. |
Regulations For Resit Candidates:
Resit candidates have to complete Papers 01 and 02 and Paper 03 of the test for the year they re-register.
Retest applicants who take the exam within two years after their initial try do not need any school-based assessment.
Suppose candidates rewrite the test within two years. In that case, they may utilize a moderated SBA score achieved in the prior two-year period.
Regulations For Private Candidates:
Private candidates must enter the examination through the Local Registrar in their respective areas and take Papers 01, 02, and EITHER Paper 031 OR Paper 032.
Paper 032 is a practical test. The paper will last 2 hours and 10 minutes and will include three questions.
Questions will include written exercises and practical tasks to put the Experimental Skills and Use of Knowledge (Analysis and Interpretation) profiles to the test.
It requires the candidate to register as a “Resit Candidate” and submit the prior candidate’s ID number.
Schools-approved educational institutions or the local registrar’s office are good entry points for retest applicants.
Integrated Science Exam Syllabus
The Integrated Science exam syllabus has three parts. Each segment contains several units.
Three parts:
| Section A: | THE ORGANISM AND ITS ENVIRONMENT |
| Section B: | THE HOME AND WORKPLACE |
| Section C: | EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE |
The units in each section:
| Section A THE ORGANISM AND ITS ENVIRONMENT | 1. MATTER 2. REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH 3. FOOD AND NUTRITION 4. TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 5. RESPIRATION AND AIR POLLUTION 6. EXCRETION 7. SENSE ORGANS AND COORDINATION 8. HEALTH AND SANITATION |
| Section B THE HOME AND WORKPLACE | 1. TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND VENTILATION 2. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY 3. ELECTRICITY AND LIGHTING 4. MACHINES AND MOVEMENT 5. METALS AND NON METALS 6. ACIDS, BASES, AND MIXTURES |
| Section C EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE | 1. THE UNIVERSE AND OUR SOLAR SYSTEM 2. THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT 3. WATER AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT 4. FOSSIL FUELS AND ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY 5. FORCES |
Why is Integrated Science in the CSEC exam?
The carefully crafted topics and subjects in the syllabus emphasize honing specific skills in students. Before understanding the syllabus, it’s necessary to understand the skills students of the CSEC Integrated Science will gain.
Planning and designing
- Asking Questions
The curiosity to learn things starts with asking how, what, which, why, or where. It enables and teaches students to ask questions. - Constructing Hypothesis
It is essential to create a possible assumption to test or solve a problem.
Measurement and Manipulation
It improves,
- Proficiency of the student in handling scientific equipment.
- Students’ ability to take precise measurements.
- The ability of the student to utilize suitable units.
Observation, Reporting, and Recording
It enhances,
- Data collection, organizing skills, and presentation abilities of the student.
- The capacity of the student to provide a complete written report on their tasks.
Analysis and Interpretation
Improves the ability of the student to:
- identify patterns and trends;
- perform accurate calculations;
- identify limitations and sources of error; conclude either support or refute the hypothesis;
- compare actual results with expected results based on background/theoretical knowledge if they differ; and
- suggest alternative methods or modifications to the hypothesis.
Drawing
It enhances and teaches the students to use the drawing guidelines and organize them better.
Conclusion
This article encompasses all the information for students who are about to write the CSEC exam. Overcome exam anxiety and prepare for the CSEC integrated science exam.