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ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

COMBINED SCIENCE 4003

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TASK

FORM 3 PACTICAL TASK 2017

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This task consists of 7 printed pages.

Copyright: Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, CA 2017.

ZIMSEC CA 2017 [Turn over

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TASK GUIDE FOR THE TEACHER

SUBJECT : COMBINED SCIENCE /4003
TASK TYPE : PRACTICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT
TOPIC : HEALTH AND DISEASES
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
MAGNETISM AND ELECTRICITY

SKILLS TO BE ASSESSED
1. Knowledge and Understanding (6)
2. Handling Information and Problem Solving (6)
3. Experimental Skills, Investigations and Applications (18)

OBJECTIVES TO BE ASSESSED
Learners should be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific instruments and apparatus including
techniques of operation and aspects of safety
 Solve problems qualitatively and quantitatively
 Use scientific knowledge to solve everyday challenges
 Correctly use scientific techniques, apparatus and materials
 Plan investigation, evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements
 Communicate scientific information logically and concisely

TEACHER’S NOTES
Assessment of practical skills should be done throughout the term during practical lessons. The teacher
should use the marking guide provided with the format that may be used for scoring.
Emphasis should be placed on the correct use of apparatus and taking readings from instruments.
Learners will be awarded marks for:
 following procedures and designing experimental instructions (when they are designing themselves)
 recording of observations
 analysis of results
 evaluation of methods and apparatus
 laboratory safety awareness
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ACHIEVEMENT STANDARD FOR TASK PRACTICAL
Dimension/criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Excellent High Satisfactory Partial achievement Limited achievement
achievement Achievement achievement
Knowledge and 6-5 4-3 3-2 2-1 0
Understanding (6) -5 correct readings from -5 correct readings of 5 -5 correct readings of 5 -4 correct readings of 5 -3 correct readings of 5
5 instruments. instruments. instruments. instruments. instruments.
-Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error.
-5 correct use of units -4 correct use of units. -3 correct use of units. 2 correct use of units. -1 correct use of units.
Handling 6-5 5-3 3-2 2-1 1-0
Information and -5 accurate reading and -5 accurate reading and -4 accurate reading and -3 accurate reading and -2 accurate reading and
Problem Solving (6) recordings recordings recordings recordings recordings
-proper following of -proper following of -proper following of -proper following of -proper following of
procedures procedures procedures procedures procedures
-2 clear experimental and -1 clear experimental -1 clear experimental -1 clear experimental and -0 clear experimental and
design and design and design design design
Experimental Skills 18-16 16-15 14-13 12-8 8-0
, Investigations and -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with
Applications (18) accuracy accuracy accuracy accuracy accuracy
-5 correct observations -5 correct observations -5 correct observations -4 correct observations -3 correct observations
-5 correct data -5 correct data -5 correct data -4 correct data -3 correct data
interpretation interpretation interpretation interpretation interpretation
-2 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion
-2 recommendations -2 recommendations -1 recommendations -1 recommendations -0 recommendations
-2 safety precautions. -2 safety precautions. -2 safety precautions. -1 safety precautions. -0 safety precautions.
Mark Range 30-26 25-21 20-17 16-10 9-0

4003/CA/2017/PRACTICAL

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PRACTICAL TASK SCORE SHEET
SURNAME NAME Apparatus (10 Marks) Following Recording Analysis of Evaluation of Laboratory
procedures / observations (5) results (5) methods and safety

Vernier calipers(2)

Ticker-tape Timer
designing apparatus (3) awareness (2)
experiments (5)

Microscope(2)

Voltmeter (2)

pH Scale (1)
Ammeter (2)

(1)

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TASK GUIDE FOR THE LEARNER
SUBJECT : COMBINED SCIENCE
LEVEL : FORM 3
TASK TYPE : PRACTICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT

THE TASK
You are required to demonstrate practical skills throughout the year during practical lessons. The teacher
may assess your practical skills during any practical lesson.
You will be assessed on:
 the correct use of the microscope, vernier calipers, ticker-tape timer, ammeter, voltmeter, pH
scale
 following instructions / procedures and designing experimental instructions
 recording of objectives
 analysis of results
 evaluation of methods and apparatus
 laboratory safety awareness

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ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICAL TASK

Dimension/criteri Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

a Excellent High Satisfactory Partial achievement Limited achievement
achievement Achievement achievement
Knowledge and 6-5 4-3 3 3-0 3-0
Understanding (6) -5 correct readings from -5 correct readings of -5 correct readings of -4 correct readings of -3 correct readings of 5
5 instruments. 5 instruments. 5 instruments. 5 instruments. instruments.
-Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error. -Avoiding zero error.
-5 correct use of units -4 correct use of units. -3 correct use of units. 2 correct use of units. -1 correct use of units.
Handling 6-5 5-3 3-0 0 0
Information and -5 accurate reading and -5 accurate reading -4 accurate reading -3 accurate reading -2 accurate reading and
Problem Solving recordings and recordings and recordings and recordings recordings
(6) -proper following of -proper following of -proper following of -proper following of -proper following of
procedures procedures procedures procedures procedures
-2 clear experimental and -1 clear experimental -1 clear experimental -1 clear experimental -0 clear experimental
design and design and design and design and design
Experimental 18-16 16-15 14-13 12-11 10-0
Skills , -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with -2 recording with
Investigations and accuracy accuracy accuracy accuracy accuracy
Applications (18) -5 correct observations -5 correct -5 correct -4 correct -3 correct observations
-5 correct data observations observations observations -3 correct data
interpretation -5 correct data -5 correct data -4 correct data interpretation
-2 correct conclusion interpretation interpretation interpretation -1 correct conclusion
-2 recommendations -1 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion -1 correct conclusion -0 recommendations
-2 safety precautions. -2 recommendations -1 recommendations -1 recommendations -0 safety precautions.
-2 safety precautions. -2 safety precautions. -1 safety precautions.
Mark Range 26-30 21-25 16-20 14-15 0-13

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MARKING GUIDE FOR THE TEACHER

Microscope correct focusing (1) correct mounting (1)
Vernier callipers correct scale reading to 2 decimal places (2)
Voltmeter correct reading, avoiding zero error (2)
Ammeter correct reading, avoiding zero error (2)
pH scalecorrect reading (1)
Ticker tape timer correct reading (1)
Procedure
Use of appropriate apparatus (1)
Following procedure (2)
Designing clear experimental instructions (2)
Observations and recording
Recording with accuracy (2)
Making correct observations (2)
Correct units (1)
Analysis of data
Data interpretation (2)
Use of scientific language (1)
Drawing patterns/trends and conclusions (2)
Evaluation of methods and apparatus
Making correct judgements on methods and apparatus used (2)
Recommendations (1)
Laboratory safety
Individual safety ( e.g learner’s clothing , closed shoes, flat shoes for girls, disposal of sharp
objects, correct use of burners (1)
Group safety ( for example fume cupboard, pointing test test-tube away from other learners when
heating. (1)

4003/CA/2017/PRACTICAL