It is not uncommon to find, in the thick of the O-Level examination period, that students have too little time on their hands and too much content to study for. Put out one fire, and another seems to spring up. As if students didn’t already have their hands full juggling multiple subjects and exam papers, there are also subjects like Chemistry which feature a vast amount of content. Distilling all that content in a matter of days can feel like an impossible task. This is why studying smart, rather than just studying hard, is of utmost importance in the lead-up to each O-Level exam paper, as it allows students to make optimal use of their time.
For Chemistry, understanding what the exam is likely to throw at you and being able to apply key principles to tackle questions are far more critical to scoring well than memorising each and every chemical formula you have been taught over four years.
In this article, the Learning Lab provides you with some tips and answering techniques that will help you better prepare for structured Chemistry questions during your O-level examinations.
Understanding what the question requires of you is critical, because it helps you utilise the concepts you have learnt to craft an answer that will earn you the marks. Conversely, if you do not understand what format your answer should be in, you will probably fare no better than the alchemists in the Middle Ages, labouring in vain to turn brass into gold and making the king very cross indeed.
When you approach a question, start by identifying keywords and phrases. Questions which begin with the words, “define”, “state”, “describe”, “explain” or “outline” will test factual knowledge and understanding. Questions which ask students to “describe” will require you to use results or observations from the question in their answers. On the other hand, questions which ask students to “explain” will require you to use scientific concepts to back up the observations you make. Correctly identifying the type of question you are facing will help you meet the question's demands with the relevant topical knowledge.
What do salt and O-Level Chemistry questions have in common? Well, some O-Level questions require you to combine your knowledge from different topics when formulating your answers, just as sodium and chlorine can be combined to form the useful compound known as sodium chloride (salt)! Instead of studying each topic in isolation, you should be prepared to go into the examination and connect the dots between individual topics that you have learnt. Some common topic combinations include:
Acids, Bases and Salts + Metals + Qualitative Analysis
Elements, Compounds and Mixtures + Separation Techniques
Periodic Table + Metals/Salts
Metals + Reduction and Oxidation Reactions
Electrolysis + Reduction and Oxidation Reactions
Atomic Structure + Chemical Bonding
Chemical Bonding + Periodic Table
One way to familiarise yourself with these combinations is to try your hand at practice papers, which will help you identify recurring patterns.
Aim to complete the whole paper without missing out any questions. While this may sound like common sense, it still bears repeating as students often forget this when they get stuck on a particularly tricky question. Time management is key: plan out the time needed for each question so that you can keep track of your progress and push on should you exceed your allotted time. There will always be a difficult question or two nestled within the paper, but you should remind yourself that these are worth the same amount of marks as the easier ones you might not have gotten to yet. Secondly, try not to leave any of the questions blank, even if you are confused. Do your best to answer each question according to its requirements, so you give yourself a fighting chance of arriving at the correct answer.
Unfortunately, there is just no getting away from memorisation altogether. What you can do with the limited time you have is make sure that you spend it memorising the most important facts. For Chemistry, look no further than the periodic table, which offers a wealth of information across all topics and questions. Having information like the proton number and mass number at your fingertips is useful when answering questions that require students to deduce other chemical properties like the number of valence shells and electronic configuration. You will also need to memorise the information that you cannot find, such as the properties of groups in the periodic table (metals, Group I, Group II, noble gases etc.).
The acid test for doing well in the O-Level examinations often comes down to knowing exactly what kind of answer is required for the questions that are asked. The Chemistry paper in particular rewards students who can go beyond mere regurgitation of content to demonstrate an atomic understanding of how different topics and concepts are linked. By studying smart on top of studying hard, you can be confident of performing your best on the exam day.
At The Learning Lab, we place a strong focus on the acquisition of such examination skills and are well-positioned to assist students on their learning journey. Students can find more general tips on how to tackle O-Level chemistry here.
The Learning Lab has a wealth of resources you can benefit from. Check out our secondary students' guides to mastering English, Maths and Science below.
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If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 or enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.