We understand that some students do not feel confident in Chemistry and wonder how to go about revising for it to secure that distinction during O Levels. Hence, we’re here to help by compiling a list of methods in which we feel would give you greater reassurance and motivation to excel in the subject!

1. Have a strong grasp of content

Needless to say, one has to be fully aware of all the topics tested during the exam. Sometimes, exam questions are tailored in such a way to connect ideas from different topics. Hence, it is vital to have an in-depth reading of all topics covered in the syllabus.

Key concepts for Pure Chemistry include Experimental Chemistry, Atomic Structure and Stoichiometry, Chemistry of reactions, Periodicity, Atmosphere, and Organic Chemistry. For more detailed sub-topics, you may refer to the SEAB Pure Chemistry Syllabus 2020.

For Combined Chemistry, the key concepts are the same but sub-topics are different. Hence, do refer to SEAB Combined Chemistry syllabus 2020 for greater clarity.

2. Practice

Ten-Year Series is every student’s best friend during the last few weeks prior to the final examination. Through practicing exam papers across different years, students are able to expose themselves to question styles and examine keywords needed to answer certain question types. However, do not depend on it entirely. Know that simply memorizing all the answers will not guarantee that ‘A’ grade.

Also, expose yourself to other school papers for more extensive coverage of content. While schools like to set slightly tougher questions, the concepts are still relatively the same and it can hone one’s critical thinking skills.

3. Critically analyze the question requirement

When flipping through the ten-year series and other school papers, I’m sure many students will come across questions that are rather similar. Take note of the nuances and be aware of how much to write. Questions usually begin with ‘Define’, ‘Explain’, ‘Describe’, ‘State’, ‘ Compare’, ‘Evaluate’ and many more. Each and every keyword has a subtle difference in connotation that students should be aware of.

One common practice amongst students is writing all the content that is related to the topic, hoping that part of their answers will at least apply to the question. However, excessive writing of content demonstrates a student’s inability to understand the question requirement and in turn results in no marks being awarded.

4. Make personalised notes

Leading up to the exam, you can refer to these summarised notes to recall and reference to. You can explore making mind-maps or cheat sheets to help you understand and consolidate concepts better. This is certainly important as students do not have the allowance of time to flip through lecture slides and textbooks during exam week. Hence, a quick summary of concepts and formulas aids in the revision process. Do not limit yourself to mind-maps and cheat sheets. For some, flashcards and highlighting essential information are a better option. Thus, explore what works best for you!

5. Seek extra help if needed

Elite Tutor offers a range of capable Chemistry tutors who are able to help students prepare for any Chemistry exam. From Student tutors who did well themselves, to experienced part / full-time Graduate tutors and MOE Trained Current or Ex Teachers, Elite Tutor will be able to find the right fit for every student. With a suitable tutor, improvement in Chemistry is possible!