Chemistry Tips from Band 6 Students? (1 Viewer)

[MzRobinHood97]

Hello, any tips on acing HSC chemistry and getting a band 6, from experience? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Queenroot]

I didn't get a b6, but I suggest you try and understand everything instead of pure rote

 

[v1]

It has almost been 3 years since i started the HSC chemistry course (2012 HSC) and 2 years since i last touched it. Nevertheless i got 95 and here are my tips.

backup ur responses with chemical equations always (if possible) and draw small diagrams if possible (cellulose, soaps (industrial) etc)

understanding is key, you need it to answer questions which have a small trick (you'll see familiar concepts, 1 thing is changed. If u understand, you'll get it. If you rote learned its a lot harder to get b6)

know all experiments (especially reliability,validity and accuracy for each) and outcomes.

know all dot points in the syllabus and be concise, don't brain dump

Do alot of past papers to be consistent - JR ones have nice exemplary answers

Use chemistry jargon/key words when possible (turns ur high b5 answer into b6)

that is all i can come up with right now. good luck!

 

[moonshoes]

It has almost been 3 years since i started the HSC chemistry course (2012 HSC) and 2 years since i last touched it. Nevertheless i got 95 and here are my tips.

backup ur responses with chemical equations always (if possible) and draw small diagrams if possible (cellulose, soaps (industrial) etc)

understanding is key, you need it to answer questions which have a small trick (you'll see familiar concepts, 1 thing is changed. If u understand, you'll get it. If you rote learned its a lot harder to get b6)

know all experiments (especially reliability,validity and accuracy for each) and outcomes.

know all dot points in the syllabus and be concise, don't brain dump

Do alot of past papers to be consistent - JR ones have nice exemplary answers

Use chemistry jargon/key words when possible (turns ur high b5 answer into b6)

that is all i can come up with right now. good luck!

Do you still have to do the practical assessments through Year 12?

I'm thinking of dropping chemistry because the practicals are my weakest area in Chem.

 

[Dan895]

It's entirely up to you, but if you are doing well in all other aspects of chem. When it comes down to your final mark the actual experiments wouldn't make that much of a difference. So it's something to consider

 

[randomly_generated]

I didn't get a b6, but I suggest you try and understand everything instead of pure rote

you advice is not valid then



but yeah OP; with most subjects like phys, math, chem, bio, etc (those type of subjects) make sure that you understand the concepts behind it (like centripetal acceleration is a center seeking force rather than just memorizing it)


also didn't get a band 6 nor did do chemistry

 

[strawberrye]

Below is an extract from my senior study guide which you might find helpful. There are other sections on how to excel in science (applicable to all senior science subjects throughout the guide which you may like to have a read). The link is here:http://community.boredofstudies.org...how-excel-senior-year-studies-yr-11-12-a.html (As an aside, I got 94 for chemistry, so these are band 6 tips)

My top 3 tips for preparing for excelling in chemistry:

1)PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS:
Make sure you know reliability, validity, accuracy, sources of error, possible areas for improvement, independent/dependent/controlled variables, risk assessment for all the experiments you have done in class, make sure you can master basic science skills such as drawing line of best fit, drawing experimental set up accurately, using numbered points in writing a logical procedure, understand the requirements of the exam(I.e. how much time, how many parts) and allocate your time accordingly, make sure you understand the chemical principle/theory behind why you did each experiment

2)THEORY ASSESSMENT AND EXAMS:
Make sure you PERSONALLY write a set of summarised notes according to each dot point of the syllabus in a concise but detailed manner-make sure you include appropriate diagrams as well, after you wrote the notes, make sure to start practising questions and CHECKING YOUR ANSWERS in textbooks-i.e. Roland Smith's Conquering Chemistry has an exam question section which is quite good, ask your teacher for practice questions and make links between dotpoints and across modules to reinforce your understanding. Throughout the year, you should be progressively cutting down your notes as you store more things into your long term memory-revise regularly. Before your final trial exam-you should try to get your hands on as many preliminary exams as possible to practice-and look at the marking guidelines, remember to practice under EXAM CONDITIONS. Make sure when you make notes you are at least referring to 3 different sources to synthesise your information. (colour-code and use mind-maps to make your notes engaging and easy to remember). In your notes, don't neglect to include all your experiments and second-hand investigations.

3)OTHER:
For other types of assessments such as group presentations, individual research assignments, second-hand investigations-you should strive to always include a comprehensive bibliography that indicates you have sourced your information not only from websites, but from journals/books as well, you should understand how to evaluate accuracy/reliability/validity in relation to the sources of information you are using, like other types of assessment, pay close attention to the marking criteria and make sure you fulfil it as much as possible, make sure your information is comprehensive, non-repetitive and answers the verb of the question: i.e. discuss, evaluate, compare, contrast, assess, examine (so for that matter, memorise what the main verbs used in your exam questions means).

 

[randomly_generated]

Listen to strawberrye. She is the wise sensei

 

[faisalabdul16]

you advice is not valid then



but yeah OP; with most subjects like phys, math, chem, bio, etc (those type of subjects) make sure that you understand the concepts behind it (like centripetal acceleration is a center seeking force rather than just memorizing it)


also didn't get a band 6 nor did do chemistry

Your advice is not valid then hahaha

 

[Queenroot]

also didn't get a band 6 nor did do chemistry

Get out

 

[faisalabdul16]

hahaha