FOUNDATIONAL-SCIENCE · Common Test for University Admissions (大学入学共通テスト)
FOUNDATIONAL-SCIENCE/11
Foundational Science
Foundational Science · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: National Center for University Entrance Examinations (DNC)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
100
60 min
Experiment interpretation across basic science: identify variables, read graph trends, apply units and choose the evidence-supported conclusion.
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
100
Duration
60 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Calculator policy
Scientific calculators permitted only where specified in the DNC implementation guidelines; programming functions and CAS are prohibited. En
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and…
For science selection, one subject is 60 minutes/100 marks; taking two science subjects is scheduled as 130 minutes/200 marks.
Foundational science questions often test whether the conclusion follows from the experimental setup, not whether a memorized statement is true.
Simple calculations should be written with units: speed = distance/time, density = mass/volume, concentration = amount/volume.
The DNC Problem Evaluation Committee publishes per-subject reports after each January session, rating alignment with the Course of Study (学習指導要領), item difficulty balance, and whether items discriminate without exceeding syllabus scope.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Cognitive skills emphasised in official test design.
Experiment and Graphical interpretation
Weight: 34100%Conceptual application
Weight: 3294%Quantitative reasoning
Weight: 2059%Cross-domain synthesis
Weight: 1441%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
Experiments: Confusing the variable changed by the experimenter with the measured outcome. — Label independent and dependent variables be…
Units: Mixing grams and kilograms, minutes and seconds, or milliliters and liters. — Convert to base units before substituting into formu…
Graphs: Describing a trend beyond the measured range. — Do not extrapolate unless the problem explicitly asks and the model supports it.
Chemistry basic: Using particle number and mass interchangeably. — Use amount of substance as the bridge between particles, mass and reac…
Biology basic: Memorizing terms without understanding feedback or ecosystem relationships. — Draw arrows for cause, response and regulation.
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Official body
National Center for University Entrance Examinations (DNC)
Grading system
Foundational science papers use 50-point raw scores per subject; full science subjects use 0–100
Scale band
Basics 0–50
Scale band
Subject 0–100
Scale band
Deviation value
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
Study experiment language
Know independent variable, dependent variable, control, condition, hypothesis and conclusion. Many questions are about experimental design rather than difficult content.
Protect units
Write units for speed, mass, amount of substance, concentration, energy and time. Unit mismatches reveal wrong formulas before the options do.
Connect graph shape to concept
Straight line through origin suggests proportionality; curve flattening suggests limiting factor; inverse pattern suggests reciprocal relation.
Review all four basics
Even if you prefer two areas, the integrated paper rewards broad foundations. Build one-page summaries for each basic science domain.
Use evidence hierarchy
When asked whether a conclusion is valid, check sample size, controlled conditions, measured variable and whether the graph actually supports the claim.
Practise quick calculations
Focus on ratios, percentages, molarity-style concentration, density, speed and energy formulas. These are usually simple but time-sensitive.
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
No data available in official reports
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Physics Basic: motion, energy, waves and electricity
Official topic weighting
Chemistry Basic: particles, bonding, reactions and amounts
Official topic weighting
Biology Basic: cells, genetics, body regulation and ecosystems
Official topic weighting
Earth Science Basic: Earth, atmosphere, oceans and space
Official topic weighting
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Physics Basic: motion, energy, waves and electricity
Chemistry Basic: particles, bonding, reactions and amounts
Biology Basic: cells, genetics, body regulation and ecosystems
Earth Science Basic: Earth, atmosphere, oceans and space
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Foundational Science: for one science subject / for two science subjects Physics Basic, Chemistry Basic, Biology Basic and Earth Science Basic source/data items
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Physics Basic: motion, energy, waves and electricity
Official topic weighting
Practise in RevuiChemistry Basic: particles, bonding, reactions and amounts
Official topic weighting
Practise in RevuiBiology Basic: cells, genetics, body regulation and ecosystems
Official topic weighting
Practise in RevuiEarth Science Basic: Earth, atmosphere, oceans and space
Official topic weighting
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and…
- 2Message
For science selection, one subject is 60 minutes/100 marks; taking two science subjects is scheduled as 130 minutes/200 marks.
- 3Message
Foundational science questions often test whether the conclusion follows from the experimental setup, not whether a memorized statement is true.
- 4Message
Simple calculations should be written with units: speed = distance/time, density = mass/volume, concentration = amount/volume.
- 5Message
The DNC Problem Evaluation Committee publishes per-subject reports after each January session, rating alignment with the Course of Study (学習指導要領), item difficulty balance, and whether items discriminate without exceeding syllabus scope.
- 6Pitfall
Experiments: Confusing the variable changed by the experimenter with the measured outcome. — Label independent and dependent variables be…
- 7Pitfall
Units: Mixing grams and kilograms, minutes and seconds, or milliliters and liters. — Convert to base units before substituting into formu…
- 8Pitfall
Graphs: Describing a trend beyond the measured range. — Do not extrapolate unless the problem explicitly asks and the model supports it.
- 9Pitfall
Chemistry basic: Using particle number and mass interchangeably. — Use amount of substance as the bridge between particles, mass and reac…
- 10Pitfall
Biology basic: Memorizing terms without understanding feedback or ecosystem relationships. — Draw arrows for cause, response and regulation.
- 11Strength
Study experiment language: Know independent variable, dependent variable, control, condition, hypothesis and conclusion. Many q
- 12Strength
Protect units: Write units for speed, mass, amount of substance, concentration, energy and time. Unit mismatches re
- 13Strength
Connect graph shape to concept: Straight line through origin suggests proportionality; curve flattening suggests limiting factor; in
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Foundational Science
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and si
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and…
For science selection, one subject is 60 minutes/100 marks; taking two science subjects is scheduled as 130 minutes/200 marks.
Foundational science questions often test whether the conclusion follows from the experimental setup, not whether a memorized statement is true.
Experiments: Confusing the variable changed by the experimenter with the measured outcome. — Label independent and dependent variables be…
Units: Mixing grams and kilograms, minutes and seconds, or milliliters and liters. — Convert to base units before substituting into formu…
- Total marks
- 100
- Duration
- 60 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
- Calculator policy
- Scientific calculators permitted only where specified in the DNC implementation guidelines; programming functions and CAS are prohibited. En
Session analysis
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and simple quantitative reasoning. National Center for University Entrance Examinations (DNC) emphasises experiment interpretation across basic science: identify variables, read graph trends, apply units and choose the evidence-supported conclusion.. Priority revision: Physics Basic: motion, energy, waves and electricity, Chemistry Basic: particles, bonding, reactions and amounts, Biology Basic: cells, genetics, body regulation and ecosystems, Earth Science Basic: Earth, atmosphere, oceans and space. Know independent variable, dependent variable, control, condition, hypothesis and conclusion. Many questions are about experimental design rather than difficult content.
Updated 2026-07-03
Paper breakdown
Foundational Science: for one science subject / for two science subjects Physics Basic, Chemistry Basic, Biology Basic and Earth Science Basic source/data items
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by syllabus topic
Revision priority from official test-design weighting.
Mark accessibility
Estimated difficulty spread based on official design.
Experiment interpretation across basic science: identify variables, read graph t
Paper structure
Official paper breakdown for this subject.
Foundational Science
100·10·100%
Official syllabus scope
理科基礎 covers foundational science domains selected from physics basic, chemistry basic, biology basic and earth science basic. R7 Common Test foundational science emphasizes interpreting experiments, observations, graphs and everyday phenomena using core scientific concepts and simple quantitative reasoning.
Difficulty verdict
Rated 3/5 for January sessions. Experiment interpretation across basic science: identify variables, read graph trends, apply units and choose the evidence-supported conclusion.
What examiners measure
1. Apply basic scientific concepts to observations, experiments and everyday phenomena. 2. Interpret graphs, tables, diagrams and experimental procedures. 3. Use proportional reasoning, units and simple formulas accurately. 4. Compare hypotheses and judge whether evidence supports a conclusion. 5. Connect physics, chemistry, biology and earth-science foundations where relevant.
Where the marks are
Highest-weight syllabus areas: Physics Basic: motion, energy, waves and electricity; Chemistry Basic: particles, bonding, reactions and amounts; Biology Basic: cells, genetics, body regulation and ecosystems; Earth Science Basic: Earth, atmosphere, oceans and space.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- For science selection, one subject is 60 minutes/100 marks; taking two science subjects is scheduled as 130 minutes/200 marks.
- Foundational science questions often test whether the conclusion follows from the experimental setup, not whether a memorized statement is true.
- Simple calculations should be written with units: speed = distance/time, density = mass/volume, concentration = amount/volume.
- Graphs require reading axes and units first. A higher line is not always a higher rate if the axis is cumulative amount.
- In chemistry basic, balanced equations supply mole ratios, not mass ratios.
- In biology basic, homeostasis questions often use negative feedback: stimulus -> sensor/control -> response -> reduced stimulus.
- In earth science basic, scale and time matter: weather, climate, geological time and astronomical cycles operate on different orders of magnitude.
- Paper 1: Foundational Science · 100 marks · 60 min for one science subject / 130 min for two science subjects · Physics Basic, Chemistry Basic, Biology Basic and Earth Science Basic source/data items.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 60 min for one science subject / 130 min for two science subjects
- Total marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 100%
- Question types
- Physics Basic, Chemistry Basic, Biology Basic and Earth Science Basic source/data items
- Know independent variable, dependent variable, control, condition, hypothesis and conclusion. Many questions are about experimental design rather than difficult content.
- Write units for speed, mass, amount of substance, concentration, energy and time. Unit mismatches reveal wrong formulas before the options do.
- Straight line through origin suggests proportionality; curve flattening suggests limiting factor; inverse pattern suggests reciprocal relation.
Common mistakes
Experiments
Confusing the variable changed by the experimenter with the measured outcome.
How to avoid: Label independent and dependent variables before reading answer choices.
Units
Mixing grams and kilograms, minutes and seconds, or milliliters and liters.
How to avoid: Convert to base units before substituting into formulas.
Graphs
Describing a trend beyond the measured range.
How to avoid: Do not extrapolate unless the problem explicitly asks and the model supports it.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.