Eduqas Chemistry for A Level Year 2: Student Bk

7 About this book Examination questions are worded very carefully to be clear and concise. It is essential not to penalise yourself by reading questions too quickly or too superficially. Take time to think about the precise meaning of each word in the question so that you can construct a concise, relevant and unambiguous response. To access all the available marks it is essential that you follow the instructions accurately. Here are some words that are commonly used in examinations: Complete: You may be asked to complete a comparison table. This is straightforward and, if you know your work, you may pick up easy marks. For example: Complete the table to show the number of bonding electrons and the molecular shape. Follow the instructions carefully. If you leave a space blank in such a question, your examiner will not assume that this is equivalent to a cross. Similarly, if you put a tick and change your mind, do not put a line through the tick to convert it to a cross. Cross it out and write a cross. Describe This term may be used where you need to give a step-by-step account of what is taking place. Explain A question may ask you to describe and also explain. You will not be given a mark for merely describing what happens – a chemical explanation is also needed. Suggest This action word often occurs at the end of a question. There may not be a definite answer to the question but you are expected to put forward a sensible idea based on your chemical knowledge. Name You must give no more than a one-word answer. You do not have to repeat the question or put your answer into a sentence. That would be wasting time. State Give a brief, concise answer with no explanation. Compare If you are asked to make a comparison do so. Make an explicit comparison in each sentence, rather than writing separate paragraphs about what you are comparing. Deduce Use the information provided and your knowledge to answer the question. Calculate Work out the answer required using the information provided and your mathematical knowledge. Predict Evaluate the information provided and use your judgement to give an answer. Write or Balance an equation To write you will need to know the reactants and products, to balance you will need to apply the ideas of valency and the laws of conservation of atoms. How to maximise your score We all vary in speed and natural ability but by attacking the challenge of A level Chemistry in the right way the best possible outcome can be achieved. This book has been written by examiners who have had many years of experience of candidates’ performance with the aim of pointing students in the right direction. Here are some of the best tips we have gathered over many years of teaching and examining: 1 Give yourself time. Take each topic slowly, clear up any uncertainties then try the exam practice questions. If you need to then make sure you return to each topic after an interval of time to ensure that you still have it mastered. This may take more than one return trip. It is known that the unconscious mind continues to work and sort learned material so you must give it time. Last-minute cramming is of little use. 2 Be careful to understand what the question is really asking for. Candidates sometimes rush ahead down the wrong track and lose both time and marks. Questions on AO1 will ask you to show that you know and/or understand something; those on AO2 will ask you to apply these and AO3 to analyse, interpret and evaluate something. The actual lead words in the questions may include, ‘state’, ‘describe’, ‘draw’, ‘name’ and ‘explain’ for AO1, ‘calculate’, for AO2 and ‘suggest’ and ‘analyse data’ for AO3. 3 There is no substitute for work and concentration. Chris Froome did many very long training runs on his bicycle. Practice trains the mind and produces understanding and enjoyment in mastery of the subject.