Definition Questions Tips

Definition question may be the simplest task in the exam, but it can also be the toughest problem one will ever have. Ask yourself, how did you lose marks in such a straightforward question?

Of course, you know the subject matter, you know the definition, but why is your answer “incomplete”? It is because the mark scheme is unstable. It changes over time.

For example, the definition for relative atomic mass in May 2009 is “ratio of average mass of an atom to 1/12 the mass of C-12 isotope”. But its definition in May 2010 changes to “average mass of isotopes of an element compared to C”.

Yes, it is confusing. That’s why we are here to help you tackle this kind of fluctuating mark schemes. The following are two tactics to secure your 2 marks in the definition questions.

Always include the answers in bracket

Chop off the unnecessary, save keywords