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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Chemistry => Topic started by: Wizard on December 24, 2008, 11:40:38 pm

Title: 45+ in Chem
Post by: Wizard on December 24, 2008, 11:40:38 pm
Hey guys,

Doing Chem 3,4 in 2009, and am aiming for a 45+ score (hopefully not too high :)) . For me, Chem is a tricky subject, and I have other subjects that need work too. I am interested to know how people who did Chem and achieved above 45+ studied in the holidays, and throughout the year. For example, it would be helpful if i knew how many hours you studied a night for chem, and how you balanced studying chem with your other subjects. Additionally, did you go anywhere for revision/learning? (eg. TSFX)

Thanks (although, lol, I probably shouldnt be worrying about this right now, but it is handy to know :)) 
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: vce08 on December 24, 2008, 11:46:50 pm
i didn't do anything in the summer holidays.
in unit 3 i studied around 2-3 hours a week for this sub
in unit 4 i did around 30 minutes to an hour per week.
however, if u pay attention in class somewhat, or do chemistry stuff during classtime you won't have to do much at home

i didn't take tuition.

oh yea.... btw i got 48
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: hard on December 24, 2008, 11:50:02 pm
i didn't do anything in the summer holidays.
in unit 3 i studied around 2-3 hours a week for this sub
in unit 4 i did around 30 minutes to an hour per week.
however, if u pay attention in class somewhat, or do chemistry stuff during classtime you won't have to do much at home

i didn't take tuition.

oh yea.... btw i got 48
not bad.
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: dekoyl on December 25, 2008, 01:14:06 am
Honestly, Wizard? I thought you might've been a year 12 graduate. You seem to have a good knowledge in chemistry already (the many times you've helped me :P)

I think you can afford to relax in the summer holidays whilst people like me who still need to consolidate unit 1/2 work may need to do a little work.
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: lacoste on December 25, 2008, 08:56:58 pm
i didn't do anything in the summer holidays.
in unit 3 i studied around 2-3 hours a week for this sub
in unit 4 i did around 30 minutes to an hour per week.
however, if u pay attention in class somewhat, or do chemistry stuff during classtime you won't have to do much at home

i didn't take tuition.

oh yea.... btw i got 48
not bad.


what, thats mad! very good
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: lacoste on December 25, 2008, 08:58:07 pm
I think you can afford to relax in the summer holidays whilst people like me who still need to consolidate unit 1/2 work may need to do a little work.

he wants 50 mate, its good to be early than late ;)
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: Rebecca.tutoring on December 25, 2008, 09:47:12 pm
Someone told me that I should read the whole chem textbook over summer, and I did...complete waste of time (for me). In the holidays before Year 12, I think it's best to concentrate on having holidays and for subjects with midyears like chemistry, don't even look at unit 4.

It would probably be a good idea to get your head around the first couple of topics though - if you can get to the point where you can do a chapter review relatively easily, that will help you a lot!

In terms of what to do during the year, you'll probably find that you work it out for yourself. Personally, I read ahead and tried to do the odd question from my textbook before we learnt a topic, then I wrote summaries in class while the teacher was talking instead of/ as well as copying from the board. That saved me time and meant that when it came to a SAC, I never had to write summaries or learn concepts - just had to do some extra practice questions. One thing I recommend: BUY NEAP SMARTSTUDY. It has about 2-3 pages of questions for every AOS, and the Q style is very similar to exams and gives you a good indication of where you are at with your understanding. Normally I find these kind of books a complete waste of time but I thought it was really useful.

I got a SS of 40 and I know you're aiming higher, but these things might be helpful anyway...
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: hard on December 25, 2008, 10:02:59 pm
Someone told me that I should read the whole chem textbook over summer, and I did...complete waste of time (for me). In the holidays before Year 12, I think it's best to concentrate on having holidays and for subjects with midyears like chemistry, don't even look at unit 4.

It would probably be a good idea to get your head around the first couple of topics though - if you can get to the point where you can do a chapter review relatively easily, that will help you a lot!

In terms of what to do during the year, you'll probably find that you work it out for yourself. Personally, I read ahead and tried to do the odd question from my textbook before we learnt a topic, then I wrote summaries in class while the teacher was talking instead of/ as well as copying from the board. That saved me time and meant that when it came to a SAC, I never had to write summaries or learn concepts - just had to do some extra practice questions. One thing I recommend: BUY NEAP SMARTSTUDY. It has about 2-3 pages of questions for every AOS, and the Q style is very similar to exams and gives you a good indication of where you are at with your understanding. Normally I find these kind of books a complete waste of time but I thought it was really useful.

I got a SS of 40 and I know you're aiming higher, but these things might be helpful anyway...
thanks for that.
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: polky on December 31, 2008, 03:52:29 am
I did about 30 minutes to 1 hour of Chem about 4 days a week.  Just completing questions out of the textbook and checkpoints as well. I made notes for Unit 3 because there's a fair bit of memorisation you have to do (with the analytical techniques and biology stuff).  I work quite slowly so you'll probably take less time.

I balanced studying for chem with other subjects by allocating a specific time for just studying chem.  I would stay back after school and do 1 hour of chem a few days a week.

Went to NEAP for midyear and EOY lectures. 

Good luck for chem! It's a great subject :)

Also... I worked about 3 or 4 chapters ahead of the class (used Heinemann textbook).
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: dekoyl on December 31, 2008, 04:00:05 am
Went to NEAP for midyear and EOY lectures. 
Polky, would you mind telling us what are EOY lectures? (Are they the ones held by uni students? I'm not sure - just taking a wild guess :P)

Google doesn't seem to come up with anything when I search EOY with a few other keywords.


Thanks vce01. I didn't read the post properly. (Perhaps it's a bit late :P)
Title: Re: 45+ in Chem
Post by: vce01 on December 31, 2008, 04:01:02 am
end of year lectures i think?