Step-by-Step Guide to Acing Chemistry Exams

Introduction

• Presenter: Moon
• Objective: Transform from poor grades to an A* in Chemistry.
• Personal Experience:
  • Initial fear and misunderstanding of Chemistry.
  • Progression from a C to an A* over a school year.
  • Chemistry was mandatory and initially disliked.

Step 1: Obtain the Syllabus

• IGCSE Curriculum:
  • Syllabus available online.
  • Alternative: Ask your chemistry teacher if not available online.

Step 2: Utilize the Traffic Light Method

• Materials:
  • Printed syllabus (or digital for annotation).
• Method:
  • Green: Topics you fully understand.
  • Yellow: Topics needing revision.
  • Red: Topics not understood at all.

Step 3: Address Yellow Marked Topics

• Strategy:
  • Start with easier chapters (green and yellow) to build confidence.
  • Revise yellow-marked topics:
    • Read syllabus and related textbook sections.
    • Respond to command words (e.g., State, Identify) aloud.
  • Nightly review of yellow-marked syllabus parts to improve retention.

Step 4: Conquer Red Marked Topics

• Focus: One chapter at a time.
• Materials: Syllabus and textbook.
• Study Resources: YouTube Channels
  • States of Matter and Bonding: Cognito
  • Stoichiometry: Organic Chemistry Tutor
  • Chemical Energetics and Reactions: Cognito
  • Redox Reactions: Tyler DeWitt
  • Acid, Base, and Salt Tests: Practical experiments found via YouTube, notably Cam Jangle.
  • Metals and Extractions: Cam Jangle (Iron and Aluminium extraction)
  • Environmental Chemistry: Syllabus and partner quizzing
  • Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Tutor
  • Experimental Chemistry: Watch experiments on YouTube

Step 5: Practice with Past Papers

• Purpose: Understand question structures and examiner expectations.
• Method:
  • Print past papers and focus on questions related to recently studied chapters.
  • Use the marking scheme to check answers.
  • Repeat for each chapter to identify and learn from mistakes.

Step 6: Comprehensive Past Paper Practice

• Method:
  • Print and complete entire past papers.
  • Assess improvement and further areas of focus based on recurring mistakes.

Conclusion

• Outcome: Systematic approach leads to improved grades and confidence in Chemistry.
• Encouragement: Follow the guide step-by-step for best results.
• Closing: Best wishes for exams and future study success.