Brief words about Science(Chem) Exam Papers 2011
(Updated on 10 Mar 2013)
For 2012 combined science papers, the standard had been raised again. The examiners seemed to test concepts where students were likely to be weak in , or have a lot of misconceptions. More thinking and analytical skills were needed for 2012 papers.
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The combined science (Cambridge-Singapore) exam papers are considerably easier than the pure sciences papers, so it is easier to score an A in the science subject.
2011 papers were a little trickier than previous years' papers, in my opinion. Candidates need to know their work well and some questions test the application skills of the students.
Qualitative Analysis (Test for cations and anions) took up a larger percentage of marks than previous years.
It seems to me that from looking at the pure chemistry and combined science exam papers that mole concept questions are very important.
Metals chapter also is fairly important.
Chemical bonding questions will definitely come out in this year's papers. I believe it will be a very important chapter to study for. I heard from a friend that a poly lecturer has said that ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds. Can you discuss with your friends why this is not necessarily true? What forces of attraction are you overcoming when you boil liquid methane (CH4)? Also, why does sodium chloride have a higher melting point than solid methane?
You may e-mail to me your partial answers for my comments. :) (No, I promise you I will not use a red pen to mark. LOL!)
From MCQ, a student needs to deduce the monomer if given the structure of the polymer.
The concept of alkenes decolorising aqueous bromine is also a popular question.
Students are expected to remember the names and uses of the various fractions in the fractional distillation of petroleum.
Schools also like to test on cracking of alkanes in organic chemistry.
Students may like to try 2011 exam papers, especially Paper 2 Section B.
Note : Scoring an A1 in combined science does not mean that you will do well in A level Chemistry. Lots of pure chemistry students struggle when they take on A level chemistry.
All the best for your school journey!
For 2012 combined science papers, the standard had been raised again. The examiners seemed to test concepts where students were likely to be weak in , or have a lot of misconceptions. More thinking and analytical skills were needed for 2012 papers.
*********************************
The combined science (Cambridge-Singapore) exam papers are considerably easier than the pure sciences papers, so it is easier to score an A in the science subject.
2011 papers were a little trickier than previous years' papers, in my opinion. Candidates need to know their work well and some questions test the application skills of the students.
Qualitative Analysis (Test for cations and anions) took up a larger percentage of marks than previous years.
It seems to me that from looking at the pure chemistry and combined science exam papers that mole concept questions are very important.
Metals chapter also is fairly important.
Chemical bonding questions will definitely come out in this year's papers. I believe it will be a very important chapter to study for. I heard from a friend that a poly lecturer has said that ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds. Can you discuss with your friends why this is not necessarily true? What forces of attraction are you overcoming when you boil liquid methane (CH4)? Also, why does sodium chloride have a higher melting point than solid methane?
You may e-mail to me your partial answers for my comments. :) (No, I promise you I will not use a red pen to mark. LOL!)
From MCQ, a student needs to deduce the monomer if given the structure of the polymer.
The concept of alkenes decolorising aqueous bromine is also a popular question.
Students are expected to remember the names and uses of the various fractions in the fractional distillation of petroleum.
Schools also like to test on cracking of alkanes in organic chemistry.
Students may like to try 2011 exam papers, especially Paper 2 Section B.
Note : Scoring an A1 in combined science does not mean that you will do well in A level Chemistry. Lots of pure chemistry students struggle when they take on A level chemistry.
All the best for your school journey!
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