Update: For 2018 O-Level Pure Chemistry students, please read the latest post at https://www.simplechemconcepts.com/tips-for-o-level-pure-chemistry-paper-2-written-exam-2018/
In 3 days time,it will be the O Level Chemistry Paper 2 Examinations.
Many of you in Singapore, must be studying very hard for it right now and feeling very tense, since this is so call the 1st O Level Paper.
Today i would like to share with you some general examination tips on doing the Chemistry Paper 2 Examination.
In Paper 2, it consists of 2 sections.
Section A: Structured Questions
It consists of several compulsory structured and free response questions in which you write your answer in the answers spaces provided. In this section, you are required to answer ALL the questions, do Please DO NOT waste time deciding which questions to do!
Section B: Free Response Questions
In this section, there are 3 questions that you will write the answers in blank sheets of fullscap paper provided. The 1st 2 questions are Compulsory. The Last question is presented as an either / or format. You are required to read it and decide which one to do.
Many of you might think the above information are not useful enough…i.e. you already know..but it is important for me to write it 1st cos there are some students out there that are not even sure about the examination format.
Following are some points you might want to note:
- For Paper 2 – remember the general rule of “1 Mark for 1 Point Written”
- If a question is difficult, still write something, i.e. Mole Calculations Formulae etc, bcos you may score some marks. No marks are given if you leave it blank.
- It is important to allow time to read over and check your answer and make any necessary corrections. Lots of marks are salvaged just by doing this step.
- Start of a question (multiple-parts) are always easier to score in any Paper 2 questions. Thus if time is short, leave one question incomplete in order to answer another question (1st part of the question) [i normally would not mention thus tip – as i always want my students to focus and answer ALL questions. Posting it now since exams is very near, and i want you to score few more marks]
- In Mole Calculations, it is important to show your working and include your units. Always checked your answer to see if it makes any “sense”.
- Take time to read your questions carefully. Do not attempt “Speed Reading” of your questions, which is the main mistake made by many students in all examinations.
- Do not attempt to copy the question down in your answer script. This is another common mistake made by students in examinations. It is a complete waste of time and will earn you NO marks.
- When asked to give a use of a chemical, write your answers in a sentence. This allow you to make less mistakes in giving a Vague answers and will cause you to lose marks. Do not give a one-word answer.
- Another common mistakes is giving the wrong oxidation state in chemical names. I.e. Writing iron(II) chloride for FeCl3 will cost you a mark. Answer should be iron (III) chloride.
- You are required to know the exact formulae for common chemicals. If you write CuNO3 for copper nitrate by mistake, instead of Cu (NO3)2, you are certain to lose a mark.
- Many students also made the mistakes of giving too many decimal places in calculations. Give all numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures.
- For sketching of graphs, the common errors made by students are: 1) Failure to label both X and Y axes 2) Wrong Scales on Axes 3) Positions of points not clear or not written 4) Best-fit line is not drawn.
- Hope the above Chemistry Examination Yips would assist you to gain more marks in O Level Chemistry Paper 2.
Until next time, where i will share with you the Chemistry Examination Tips for Paper 1 (Multiple Choice Questions)..
I wish you ALL THE BEST IN YOUR CHEMISTRY PAPER 2!
Sean Chua
Master Trainer
PS: Need more Examination Tips for O Level Chemistry Exams Check out >> Up Your Chemistry Grades Now! ebook
Thnx for the tips….may get good grades by this….