VCE Chemistry Exams Tips and Guides

Increasing your study score for Chemistry

It is crucial in Chemistry to study the right things. Keep asking your teacher ‘How important is this?’ Make flowcharts and concept maps of the important material. A week before each SAC task, ask your teacher very specific questions as to what is, and what is not, on the task so that you can prepare thoroughly.

Study from the start of the year, ticking each topic off the Study Design as you go. Use the VCAA website if you have to, to obtain several past papers early in the year. As you finish each topic, use the past papers to see how questions are phrased for that topic. A knowledge of past papers means that you can judge for yourself, how much priority to give to each topic. Effective learning requires repetition. A concept needs to be revisited frequently for it to become established in your long term memory.

How to overcome the most common student pitfalls

Some common pitfalls in Chemistry include:

• Procrastination
  If a topic is difficult, stop yourself from pushing it into the background. If you hope it will go away, it won’t. Deal with it now, by seeking assistance or similar worked examples.
• Relying upon rote-learning
  The Chemistry examiners always write thoughtful questions that require you to use knowledge in unfamiliar contexts. You have more chance of doing this if you understand the concept. You cannot rely upon learning a process off by heart.
• Always working with friends
  You need to tackle some questions on your own. If someone else is always helping you get started on questions then you will not handle exam pressure.
• Studying the wrong material
  You need to use your teacher, or past papers, to establish the most important concepts to tackle first.

How to study more effectively for Chemistry

Be aware of the distinction between homework and study. Homework involves set text questions from your teacher. Study involves organisation of ideas, linking of concepts and rote learning of facts. If you are only doing homework, you need to find time for study. Study must also be efficient. Avoid non-productive, long periods of day dreaming at a desk.

To make study efficient, ensure that you have a quiet location with room to spread out. Plentiful supplies of note paper, a Study Design, a wall planner, calculator and periodic table are all essential aids to study. Take careful note of how much priority the teacher gives to each topic. This will reflect the likelihood of that topic appearing on the exam. If you do not have confidence in your teacher, buy one of the commercial study guides available.

How parents can help students attain a better study score for Chemistry

There is nothing more frustrating than the feeling of helplessness that parents endure when their children are studying work that the parents cannot understand. Firstly, it is okay to feel like that; secondly, parents still have crucial roles to play throughout the year. As a parent, you play a similar role to an athletics coach, always walking a fine line between keeping children on task but not adding to the stress.

Some of the ways that parents can offer support are:

• Ensuring that your child has a dedicated, appropriate study area. Study should not be in front of the television, walls need room for displays and flowcharts, and through traffic needs to be limited
• Maintaining dialogue. Find ways to make your child feel comfortable talking about their progress in each subject. This will help you know when they most need support
• Being familiar with your child’s yearly planner so that you can anticipate the times that they will be under the most pressure
• Being assertive seeking contact with teachers if you fell that it is needed
• Ensuring that your child has some positive distractions and interests. It is important to maintain a balance of activities
• Providing a healthy diet for your child

How to maximize results and minimize stress in Chemistry

No one can ask more of you than that you do your best. A professional athlete knows the importance of a thorough preparation for a big event; you need to approach Chemistry in the same way. The list below summarises the discussion above.

• Start now
• Be organised
• Maintain a planner of SAC tasks for all subjects
• Ask for clear guidelines well before each SAC task
• Be familiar with the Study Design for Chemistry. You need to be aware of the most likely exam topics
• Use past papers well before the exam period. Complete at least 10 before the exam
• Be assertive in seeking assistance
• Look after yourself

Written by Mr. Pat O'Shea