In previous blogpost, we have discussed on the method of revision for GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations.
At this point of writing, students in Singapore would have finished their 1st set of 2010 ‘O’ Level exam paper. Hope everyone reading this blog enjoyed yourself today.
(Photo courtesy of kevinkoonz)
For Chemistry, many of you should have finished revision by now. Let’s see what you should be doing before your chemistry paper.
1. Collect all the stationaries that you will need
a . Two sets of pen (ink or ballpoint based on your preference) – i mentioned “Two sets” because i realised a lot of students (especially girls) like to bring alot of pens of different colours and mechanism types – and when the examiner announce the start of paper – they are still choosing which pen to use!!! Gosh! Wrong focus!
b. Two sharp pencils for drawing diagrams which is very common in structured questions “Explain with the aid of a diagram….etc”.
c. An eraser (use a Hi-Polymer type) – which easily remove your graphite pencil mark. They are quite affordable these days
d. Ruler – Yes! for drawing diagrams as well as extrapolating date from graphs / charts accurately
e. Calculator – PLEASE bring along your calculator. Without it, you will have problem working effectively and efficiently on Mole Calculations – related question. Can i suggest that you either bring an extra calculator to exam, or alternatively change the batteries in your only calculator? You would not want to work on your Mole Calculation question half-way and realised you are in trouble? The invigilators have NO extra calculator for you. I knew this because i was a victim during my schooling days and looked like a fool, sweating profusely when it happen.
f. A watch to time yourself – this is important! Exams does not just test you on your chemistry concepts and knowledge, but also how well you plan your strategies in exams. I reckoned it to be just like a soccer game with rules & regulations (in this case it is the time given to you). You need to plan your time well (i.e. strategies like how much time should be spend per question, before you move on).
2. The night before your Chemistry Paper
Remember to sleep early. Do not burn mid-night oil at this point cos it might back-fire on you. I can tell you this based on my personal experience during my University’s Chemistry Paper. There was this paper that i burn mid-night oil till 4am and when i lie on my bed, my head was so full that i did not manage to sleep properly till 7am, that i woke up and proceed to exam hall. The effect? Disastrous! Total blank out when i receive my paper. It was an ok paper but my head was like spinning and searching for answer – that i lost the whole paper. The result? I got a C- for it! Never in my University time that i score a C- in any Chemistry-based paper.
3. The morning before your Chemistry Paper
Some say have a good breakfast, but i think it may back-fire for some. Instead, i recommend students to take their normal breakfast (just like non-exam period) because our stomach and digestive system are acclimatised to it. Imagine you have a very nice and full western breakfast and when you take your Chemistry paper, you are so full to concentrate and worst still, you might need the toilet during the exam.
For those that are sensitive to lactose, perhaps you should change from coffee with milk, tea with milk, latte, etc to Black Coffe or Tea without milk or even plain milo.
Alright, with this post, i hope you are gear up for your Chemistry Paper!
All the best!
To Your Academic Success in Chemistry,
Sean Chua
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.
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