7 Smart Revision Tricks And Answering Techniques In Chemistry

Chemistry speaks a way different language than Mandarin or English. It has its own symbols, formulas and reactions that can get all messed up in the head at times. Then again, sometimes the subject feels like Biology with all its nuclear elements and chemical reactions. At other times it feels like Physics with all its graphs and energy calculations.

We have often observed students both in O and A-level chemistry tuition getting overwhelmed with the subject’s expansive coverage of complicated concepts. However, chemistry, in itself, is not that complex at all.

Here, we will be discussing some proven tricks and exam scoring techniques to:

• Understand chemistry,
• Revise it properly, and
• Ace your exams with confidence.

Trick No. 1: Start small, master the basics and gain momentum

The idea is to start with smaller, basic chapters to strengthen fundamentals. For example, O-level students can start their revisions with Chemical Bonding, and A-level students with Chemical Energetics. You can pick any topic but make sure you’re at least half aware of the same. When you finish the chapter, you’ll feel more confident about proceeding to the next, more complicated topics.

This trick is highly effective in revising A-level chemistry, where the concepts are interconnected and basics are really important.

Trick No. 2: Learn from your mistakes and fix your weaknesses

The next best trick for revising chemistry is learning from each mistake you make in the practice papers. We always instruct our students to circle areas in their answer sheets where they misunderstood the question, couldn’t decipher the proper way of answering or any other issue. We then ask them to write down their experience, or why they feel that the answer went wrong.

Once they do it, these mistakes are transformed into learning grounds, helping them be more precise and detail-oriented in their answers. At our H2 A-level chemistry tuition classes, this technique helps students construct detailed, phased answers and not one or two words. O-level students can prevent repeated mistakes by following this revision method.

Trick No. 3: Use steps, bullets and flow charts while revising

One of the most structured science subjects, chemistry can be best explained through phases, diagrams and logical steps. While revising, make sure that you break complex concepts into such elements for better understanding.

Let’s consider the example of qualitative analysis in O-level. You can create a simple structural representation for the identification of cations and anions. In A-Level, a flowchart showing how enthalpy transforms links to bond energies can help you get a clear picture of the procedure.

If you use such flow diagrams and steps in your answer papers without the question explicitly asking for it, the examiner will be impressed. It will reveal how well you understand the topics beyond memorising formulas and reactions.

Trick No. 4: Don’t memorise definitions; Understand them and write your own

Many students in our JC chemistry tuition often complain that they lost marks in definition by missing a word or two. We understand why it happens. Unable to recall exact definitions or explanations in the exams is a result of rot memorising during revisions. You tend to memorise these without understanding, and that’s why you tend to forget easily.

The trick to prevent this is not memorising definitions at all. Understand them, imagine the scenario or elements in your minds and write them down on paper in YOUR OWN WORDS. Now, how would you know if it’s the correct definition? You can always show it to your teachers and take their feedback. Do it once. Trust us, you’ll be able to remember the definitions more clearly during the exams.

Trick No. 5: Identify key phrases in your questions and write answers accordingly

A lot of students lose marks as they are unable to decipher the question properly. In the rush and anxiety of completing the paper, they tend to misstep or write something that doesn’t meet the answer criteria.

The best way to prevent this is by following these simple steps both during revisions and in the exam hall-

• Take a moment before starting to write the answer
• Read the question carefully and look for key phrases like ‘calculate’, ‘describe’, ‘explain’, ‘suggest’ or ‘deduce’.
• Write your response in the way the question is framed
• For calculations, give proper, concise explanations of every concept you use

This way, you’ll stay ahead of your peers, who just focus on completing the paper faster.

Trick No. 6: Practice the three-fold learning process for both O and A-Levels

Chemistry is all about understanding and application. Your revisions should be structured and phased to help grasp each concept precisely. The three-fold method that we teach students at our chemistry tuition classes is quite effective both in learning and revisions.

It includes:

• Understand all concepts completely within a chapter. Fill your knowledge gaps and get an idea of all the whys and hows.
• Memorise these facts by visualising them in your mind. You should have proper clarity without missing anything.
• Lastly, start with questions and exercises to check your understanding and also memorise the concepts.

We always recommend not to attempt questions if your concepts are still shaky. Once you have clarity, scoring becomes a cake walk.

Trick No. 7: Follow answering techniques that help you impress the examiners

In both levels, especially in A-level or JC chemistry, it’s not only the correct answer that helps you score full marks. The examiner needs both accuracy and clarity in your answers to give you the same. You may know why something happens and how, but the key is to show that you do thorough, detailed, accurate and phased answers.

At our chemistry tuition classes, we guide students to practice answers that have no gaps or missing links. They learn to put their understanding into proper, logical answers to score an ‘A’ in the exams. It also helps increase the answering speed and accuracy.

Smarter Ways To Master Chemistry With Us

There’s a reason why students and parents often consider Miracle Learning Centre as the best A Level chemistry tuition in entire Singapore. We tend to go beyond textbooks and focus on helping students fall in love with chemistry. Once they do, we brainstorm and find new smarter ways to help them write their answers in a way that most PSLEs or JC examiners expect. Our chemistry tutors have considerable experience in the MOE teaching field. So you can expect proven study techniques that actually help.

Even a meritorious student needs a structured learning environment to simplify their studying procedures. We not only help provide that but also stay connected with them to solve their respective learning difficulties. Hence we teach in smaller groups, as personalised attention is necessary.

If your child needs additional support in revisions or feels anxious in exams, you can bring them to us. Our flexible chemistry tuition classes will make their learning structured and revisions more productive to ace their exams with confidence and zero anxiety.

Talk to us today to discuss a convenient timing and learning model.