Several parents and students alike have asked me on the possible practical questions that can come out for the SPA examinations.
I have this to say – SPA is in fact very very simialar to the GCE O Level Practical Examinations that we had last time.? There is not much difference between the chapters/topics that we have studied for the last 10 years. Basic Chemistry is essentially Basic Chemistry. The theories does not differ that much during the 10 – 20 years period. As such, all the practicals experiments will always revolves around the few main topics and you should be aware of it.
Check out the following Practical Guidelines that are shown in the SEAB website once again:
Scientific subjects are, by their nature, experimental. It is therefore important that the candidates carry out appropriate practical work to facilitate the learning of this subject. A list of suggested practical work is provided.
1. Separation techniques including filtration, simple paper chromatography and distillation
2. Measurements of temperature based on thermometers with 1?C graduation
3. Determination of melting point and boiling point
4. Experiments involving the preparation of salts
5. Experiments involving the solubility of salts
6. Titration involving the use of a pipette, burette and an indicator such as methyl orange or screened methyl orange; full instructions and other necessary information will be given for titration other than acid/alkali and the use of other indicators
7. Identification of ions and gases as specified in the syllabus
8. Experiments involving displacement reactions
9. Tests for oxidising and reducing agents as specified in the syllabus
10. Experiments involving speed of reactions
11. Experiments involving organic substances such as polymerisation and test for saturationThis is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Reference may be made to the techniques used in these experiments in the theory papers but no detailed description of the experimental procedures will be required.
So based on the above guidelines, you can somehow make up the list of experimental set-ups that they want you to conduct.