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 about 2 weeks time, Singapore Students will be taking their GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations.
Many of you are also having your ‘study week’ where school lessons has finally ended and you are given the time (2 weeks) to sit down and thoroughly revise through your notes, books, and previous test/exam papers.
For GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Exams, you need to know the essential concepts well in order to score the marks you desire. Only about 15% of the exams will be based solely on memorising skills, etc. As such, it is important to know the topics well.
Furthermore, you will be seeing questions in Paper 2 (Written) where one question will be split into many other parts – and each part will test you on a certain concepts i.e. several topics will be tested in one question.
Previously, i have blog before on tips for revising for GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Examinations, and you can find them through the links below:
Essential Chemistry Exam Skills & Knowledge
How to Revise for a certain Chemistry Topic
How to beat Examination Period Stresses?
Significant figures for Questions related to Mole Calculations
Sulfur OR Sulphur??? Sulfuric Acid OR Sulphuric Acid?
In a few days time, i will share with you on TIPS on:
- How to Prepare Mentally and Physically for the Chemistry Exams
- Strategies for Doing the Chemistry Exam Papers
PS: If you have been revising and studying hard for your Chemistry all the while, but have yet to score the marks you desire – you might not have written what the examiners are looking out for in an answer OR you might have fallen into the trap of common misconceptions on certain chemistry concepts – that many students have. This book Up Your Chemistry Grades Now i have written in Aug 2009 will be a useful GEM to you!
PPS: The above revision tips works for other syllabus such as IGCSE, IB and IP programmes, as well as overseas basic chemistry courses.
Hi Mrs Ng, there could be many reasons:
1) How do you gauge that he understands the concepts? Many students might think they understand but it was merely rote memorization which isn’t the right approach to mastering Chemistry.
2) Is he applying what he learns in solving questions consistently?
3) Did he find out why his answers aren’t accepted? For some students, it could be lacking of the keywords or mis-use of keywords.
I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the reasons why your boy didn’t pass. I believe his school teacher will be the best person to speak to to find out more.
Hi Sean
My kid failed his CA2 Chem paper.
He understands the concepts but he could not explain well when doing the short answer questions and application questions.
Is is becos he does not understand well or ?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Mrs Ng
Dear Sindy Teo,
Mole Concepts and Energy Changes are highly application and does not require much memorisation.
Qualitative Analysis (QA) is different. Besides understanding the key concepts and how to apply them in examination, you will also need to memorise 3 key tables: A) Test for Cations B) Test for Anions C) Test for Common Gases
You can do a search on the top right hand of this blog using the key words: “Qualitative Analysis”, “Mole Calculations” and “Energy Changes” to look at some of the discussion on this blog.
Alternatively, you can go to Popular Bookstores and look for my Ten Years Series book (with short notes and step-by-step solutions).
Hope the information helps.
Enjoy learning Chemistry,
Sean Chua
Dear sir, could you give me some tips on how to apply mole concept as well as energy changes and qualitative analysis. Please get back to me and thank you for your wonderful tip.
thank for your advise it has help me thanks so much
I wanna join its nice stuff