Many students may face difficulties in studying for H2 Chemistry, due to the complexities of the subject matter and the varied ways the exam paper can ask questions. Sometimes, the subject matter or compound in the actual exam may not be something the student has seen before. There is also a high volume of content to memorise, and students may struggle with specific topics, such as Organic Chemistry. As such, many students will feel overwhelmed and at a loss as to how to study for the subject. They may even require guidance and help outside their school.

Why Is H2 Chemistry So Difficult for JC Students in Singapore?

1.    Application of concepts learned to questions

One area in which students struggle when preparing for H2 Chemistry is in applying the concepts learned to the questions they need to answer during the exam. Often, the student may mistakenly conclude that what they are being asked is something totally new, and may not draw the link between the question and what they have learned. This wastes valuable time during the exam, and the student will thus throw away precious marks they could have earned otherwise. Students need to know what they are being tested by knowing the syllabus well, along with the links between the topic and the questions asked. When looking at a question, students must know exactly what they are being asked for. Only then they can recall the knowledge needed to answer.


2.    Foreign subject matter in exam questions

Students will often complain that they encountered a different topic when taking their exams in school, and that the question asked about a compound or topic which they have never seen before. This is not entirely true – although the compound specifically may never have been studied by the student, what the question is asking is how the student can apply the concepts they have learned to an unseen situation. Students need to see past their panic when encountering a foreign topic and learn how to apply the concepts they have learned to the particular question. This will require a lot of experience doing past year papers – students need to learn how not to be at the mercy of the paper and adapt to changing conditions, drawing links between questions.

 

3.    Moving away from rote memorisation to understanding the concepts

Having grown accustomed to memorising things to pass their exams, students will tend to gravitate towards the only method of learning they know best – rote memorisation. Rote memorisation is useful for certain definition questions, but it may not be the best way to learn about things which need to be understood. Students need to know which questions they can memorise definitions for, and which questions require application of current knowledge and concepts. If the student does not understand what they are writing about, they will not know what is being asked of them. As such, it is important to facilitate true understanding of the concepts.


The above three challenges are common pitfalls faced by A Level students in Singapore when revising for their Chemistry exams. Sometimes, it is not a lack of content knowledge or time spent studying which hinders students from scoring well, but simply an erroneous perspective. By changing their perspective and getting the skills they need to score well, such as moving away from memorising and into understanding, students can definitely do better in Chemistry.


Although H2 Chemistry may seem difficult, consistent effort and targeted revision will help students achieve the results they want. Seeking help from teachers or your Chemistry tutor when you are not clear about the concepts as soon as you learn them will help you, as a proactive attitude and a good work ethic are the best when revising by yourself. As long as you remember to find out what you don’t know and take steps to figure out the content you need to know and how to apply them, in time, your A Level Chemistry grades will slowly but surely improve. 

Cope with Chemistry at school with Focus Chemistry!

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 Chemistry 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 and gain knowledge and experience answering many different permutations of Chemistry questions so that you will be well prepared to handle any question in your Chemistry exam paper.


Contact us to book your slot with Focus Chemistry today!

Frequently Asked Questions:


a)    Which is the best H2 chemistry tuition in Singapore?

Focus Chemistry is the best H2 Chemistry tuition in Singapore as they are a Chemistry specialist catering to various levels. Focus Chemistry has curated materials and a tried-and-tested teaching style which enables students to achieve true understanding of the concepts tested.


b)    How much does tuition cost in Singapore?

The cost of tuition depends on how many classes taken, and whether they are group classes or individual one-to-one tuition classes.


c)    What is the difference between H1 and H2 Chemistry?

H2 Chemistry is more difficult than H1 Chemistry as H2 Chemistry focuses more on organic Chemistry concepts. H1 Chemistry does not place a heavy emphasis on Organic Chemistry, instead focusing more heavily on polymerisation and nanomaterials.


d)    Is H2 Chemistry easy?

H2 Chemistry is challenging for students without a good foundation of Chemistry concepts. Focus Chemistry can help H2 Chemistry students improve their grades by helping them achieve true understanding of the concepts which are being taught at school.