Why be prepared?

What is S111, Questions in Science?

What do I need to know before studying S111?

In order to study S111 successfully you need to be sufficiently prepared. This module is delivered entirely online, so you need access to a computer linked to the internet and you need some basic numeracy skills and an ability to read and write to a good standard in English. It would also be valuable to have some basic science general knowledge. You will also need enough time - a minimum of 16-18 hours per week - for studying S111.

Are you ready for S111? is a set of five short tests, each with a set of self-assessment questions, designed to help you decide whether you are sufficiently prepared to start studying this module. When you have completed the quiz you will be given a summary of your performance and some general feedback about whether S111 is a sensible choice for you at the present time, or whether you need to either engage with some additional preparatory work before S111 begins, or consider studying an Open University Access module before attempting S111 (you can learn more about Access modules via the Access module website).

Please watch the short video below, in which Dr Nicholas Chatterton explains the purpose of this website and the importance of using these quizzes to determine whether you’re ready to start S111 Questions in Science.

When you have watched the video, complete the quizzes, starting with Part 1: Do I have enough time to study S111?

This assessment should take you about an hour in total. You can leave it and return to it at any time. Your progress will be remembered.

You’ll notice that the grading method for each quiz is ‘highest grade’. This means that you can retake the quiz as many times as you like, and the system will remember your highest marks. However, if you just repeat the quizzes until you get 100%, you’ll miss out on useful feedback about whether you’re ready to start S111.

Download this video clip.Video player: s111_2023j_vid400_640x360.mp4

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Transcript

DR. NICK CHATTERTON

Hello, welcome to this quick quiz to check your readiness for the module S111, Questions In Science. My name is Dr. Nick Chatterton, and I’m one of the numerous people from the Open University who’s helped put this module together for you. In S111, we will teach you topics from across the sciences and also teach you how to investigate the world around you like a scientist through the numerous practical investigations we’ve put together in each of the topics.

We don’t just want you to learn scientific facts, we also want you to learn how to think like a scientist. But before you start, you need to check whether you are ready to study S111. To help, we designed a quick self-assessment quiz, called Are You Ready For S111?

The quiz itself is divided into four separate parts that will make you think about all the essential things you either need to have or be able to do to study S111 successfully. So make sure you do the test carefully as time doing this is definitely time well-spent.

Part one allows you to assess whether you have the time required and the computing ability to study S111. You’ll need a minimum of 16 to 18 hours per week for successful study.

In addition, S111 is delivered entirely online. There are no books. You need access to a computer with an internet connection and be prepared to read, watch and engage with the study materials online.

Part two allows you to test your maths skills. You need to have basic numeracy skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and the use of decimal numbers and percentages.

Part three tests your English skills. Can you understand and use written English at the standard found in newspapers like The Telegraph or The Guardian?

Part four assesses your scientific thinking.

Once you finish the quiz, you’ll be given a summary for each part. This will tell you how you did and whether you’re ready to study S111. For example, you may be asked to do some extra prep work or to contact the student support team for further information before you start the module.

So please do the quiz and follow any advice you’re given. We look forward to welcoming you to the module when your studies begin and we wish you every success.

End transcript

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Now go to the quizzes, starting with Part 1: Do I have enough time to study S111?

If you would prefer to work through a printable version of this website, we also provide a pdf file containing similar questions.