Many students will rely on doing past year A Level papers and copying the model answers to score well. However, in a novel paper, students may encounter difficulties adapting their content knowledge to the question in front of them as the new question will have a different context. Students often lack the discernment and judgement to adapt their existing knowledge to the question posed. They rely  on rote memorisation to carry them through their A Levels instead.

This article argues that model answers for A Level Chemistry may lead to memorising blindly. Many students in JC believe that rote memorisation causes the rigour of Junior College  It is a practice which may have worked in the past during primary and secondary school to memorise large volumes of content in time for an exam. However, Focus Chemistry’ JC Chem tuition programme helps students understand topics better and makes sense of these basic building blocks to tackle a more complex question.

1. You must be able to do your assignments without referring to the JC Chem tuition material.

In the actual A Level exams, students cannot bring their notes. Doing assignments after lectures is a good way for students to test their understanding of the subject. If a student shows consistent effort in being able to do the tutorials shortly after the lectures without referring to the notes, they will have a solid grasp of the material. This is a far superior approach than cramming all the JC Chem lectures and tuition programmes or attempting to revise from square one right before the exams. Achieving true understanding of a topic, means being able to complete the assignments without looking at notes. Cramming facts will not help you achieve this goal. 

2. The topics are inter-connected, and you must be able to spot the links between topics.

Teacher guiding the student in a JC Chem tuition laboratory class

Especially in Chemistry, there are links between the topics students will learn. To understand and further deepen your knowledge, you must know the links between the topics. When we write out a chemical formula, we must not only understand the reason why we write it, but the implications as well. Students should not spend time during the lecture itself trying to learn about the connections of this topic to another topic. If possible, they should look at their lecture notes before the lecture happens. Then, try to form some opinion or make sense of what they are looking at by connecting it to what they have learnt. Students should also find the time to do all their tutorials to reinforce their knowledge. If not, they could engage a tutor. A tutor with advanced experience in Chemistry can better explain a bird’s eye view of the topics to the student.

3. Your basics must be good.

Female studeny in JC Chem tuition class

This may go without saying, but a student’s fundamentals need to be good before they have a hope of scoring well for A Levels. Students should get their basics down as early as possible, so they can use and apply these basics. A helpful hint is to print out the syllabus document and read it. This will help students avoid feeling so lost as they will know exactly how and what the Chemistry exam will test. This will serve as a useful scope for their Chemistry learning.

When should students use rote memorisation?

Students should not mistake this article’s message as telling them to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Rote memorisation is still highly important in certain contexts. For example, students can use rote memorisation to memorise the structure of a particular answer and definitions for certain subjects. These questions will have marks and you cannot neglect them. Rote learning is important for some basics – without this foundational knowledge, we cannot move on to more complex topics. As such, students should not scrap rote memorisation entirely.

As a student who is in Junior College, we will eventually move on to higher education, which will require more higher-order thinking skills. We should instead use the tools (be it understanding a topic or rote memorisation) to make the best of our learning. Moreover, equip ourselves with an additional skill – the ability to decide where and how to use a particular tool in our toolbox. We need a mix of tools to get the job done at the end of the day. Knowledge and wisdom only comes when we realise which tools to use, for what purpose, and when. 

Ace your JC Chemistry exams with Focus Chemistry tuition!

Focus Chemistry boasts 30 years of experience in teaching Chemistry to all levels of students. Whether you are looking to prepare for exams, go for Chemistry competitions, or simply bolster your foundation of basic Chemistry concepts, Focus Chemistry is the go-to JC Chem tuition specialist in Singapore

With time and effort, every student will surely be able to achieve their desired grades in Chemistry. Focus Chemistry has a tried-and-tested teaching method and specially curated materials and question banks to help you prepare for every Chemistry exam.

Feel more confident when you step into the exam and hall. Then, gain knowledge and experience answering many different permutations of Chemistry questions. Therefore, you will be well prepared to handle any question in your Chemistry exam paper.

Click here to book your slot with Focus Chemistry today!

Frequently Asked Questions:

a. How do I study for Chemistry A Level?

Firstly, the student should understand what the syllabus and style of exam questions are like for H2 Chemistry. Next, the student should practice doing the questions to do well and fix knowledge gaps and their lack of conceptual understanding.

b. Is Chemistry compulsory in A Level?

No, students can choose whether to undertake A Level Chemistry or not. However, if students want to do Chemistry as a subject in JC, they should be advised to take Chemistry in O Levels.

c. What is the hardest chapter in Chemistry A Levels?

Organic Chemistry could be taken to be the hardest chapter in Chemistry O Levels as it is easy to mix up the different concepts learned in school. 

d. Can you fail A Levels?

It is possible to fail A Levels.

e. Can I go to university with A Level?

Yes, you can go to university with A Levels, whether it is a local university or an overseas one.