Everyday Science: Tips to Score High?

Everyday Science (EDS) is the only subject that ensure 80% marks in the CSS
Examination. But, its a bit hard to achieve this target.
GAZA
Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Lets take a look at the technique the aspirants should go for in order to score excellent marks in
this high scoring paper.
First, we shall discuss the manner in which candidates usually make the preparation.
It is usually observed that most students do not prepare tactfully rather they waste their precious
time and energy by choosing a wrong track.
Then what, after all, should be the technique to score high in the EDS paper? Is it the objective
Part (MCQs) or the subjective Part that is most important to focus on? Or I would put it in a
different way. Why they score so low in the EDS paper? What's their weak area -- subjective or
objective -- from your point of view?
Those who score low in the EDS paper actually do a strategic blunder while preparing for this
paper. They focus more on the objective portion (MCQs) and believe that it will be beneficial for
them. But this practice proves futile. Indeed no one can score high by simply stressing the
objective portion or then doing the MCQs with help from one or two books on the subject.
However, a student who has thoroughly read the subject and has a good understanding of the
subject with the clarity of concepts will ultimately score high even without reading any
objective-type book. So do not make a mistake by setting your target at 40 and memorising the
MCQs without a complete understanding.
A thorough study of some of the excellent introductory textbooks on the subject is
recommended, along with consulting textbooks of matriculation, intermediate, or O/A Levels for
preparation of relevant portions.

Just download animations and videos from the Internet in order to understand, especially
astronomy, general biology and physiology, for having a grasp and command over the subject.
Students who are very weak in EDS, or have not studied this subject even at the matriculation
level, should go through the Punjab Textbook Board (English) textbooks of science for Class 3 to
Class 8 for this purpose. Your aim should be to get very good marks in EDS. And bear in mind
that without conceptual clarity, it will be a Herculean task for you to score 50 in EDS.
A one-book solution to both subjective and objective papers lies in Jahangir's World Times
Discovery the World of Everyday Science.
How to attempt the EDS paper?
The same rule applies to the preparation of EDS as to be followed in other subjects like good
presentation, precision and accuracy in answers and without spelling mistakes. Legible
handwriting will, of course, be a plus point.
A thorough study of some of the excellent introductory textbooks on the subject is highly
recommended, along with consulting textbooks of matriculation, intermediate, or O/A Levels for
preparation of relevant portions.
Now, let us see as to what type of questions are asked by the paper-setter. In the Subjective Part
(50 marks), eight questions are given and the candidates are required to solve five questions out
of them. A serious look at the previous papers will suggest the following topics, or areas, which
should attract your attention:
Q1: Muslim scientist
Q2: Definitions
Q3: Comparison/ Differentiation
Q4: Abbreviations
Q5: Reasoning questions
Q6: Short notes
Q7: A one-word question (animals and their locations, hormones and their functions, vitamins
and their deficiency, diseases and their causes, etc.)
Q8: Lengthy questions
At the first place, the selection of questions is very important. Suppose, you know the answer to
all the questions, what will be your order of preference? Which questions will give you
maximum marks? As a student, I will solve the questions in the following order:

a) Abbreviations;
b) One-word question;
c) Comparison;
d) Reasoning, and
e) Definitions.
Following this order of preference will result in maximum marks. If 10 abbreviations are correct,
you will get 10 marks -- no discretion of the examiner.
The dos for EDS preparation
Try to memorise the definitions. (This is especially for those who have no science study
background.)
Practise the diagrams and draw them appropriately at the time of the exam;
Differentiation or comparison shall be in form of 'tables';
Draw flowcharts, tables and comparison where necessary;
Make mnemonic devices or search them from the Internet;
For example, the mnemonic device for eight planets is 'my very educated mother just served us
noodles.' 'M' for mercury and so on;
Make notes of only important topics or things that confuse you;
Write down important points and facts while reading a book for the objective portion of the
exam.
The donts
Do not use synonyms or thesaurus in science e.g. a total eclipse will always be a total eclipse,
not full or complete eclipse;
Avoid spelling mistakes;
There is no need of introduction, background or history in EDS;
Answers should be to the point;
Do not grab data from unreliable sources like the cssforum.com
Mian Shafiq

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