[Venomilys]

I'm a really pathetic chemist and my target is a B across the whoe A level. If I calculated everything correctly, I only need a C/D across the A2 chemistry exams.

The problem is not the content alone (which makes my other a levels look like a joke) it is the questions. If I give something that is factually correct, the markcheme slaps me in the face.

I need advice, thanks. I currently revise using the spec and ticking each point with my CGP revision guide. I am on the ocr salters course.

EDIT: example:

Spoiler:

Show

NMR suggests benzene is hexagonal, 120 degrees angles and all bond lengths same. What is similar and different about kekules structure? 4 marks.

Me: similar - they are both hexagonal structures
different: kekules has different bond legnths as double is shorter than single.

Markscheme: bond angles are both 120 degrees [1], both have three bonds [1] (what, the? how did they arrive at that?) DO NOT ACCEPT hexagonal

different: bond legnths are different in kekules [1] single bond longer than double [1]

total is 2/4 marks.

[AishaTara]

hang on, what did you get at AS?
so you only need a D/C in your exams to get a B overall? :O how does that work?!

[KyraBloke]

(Original post by AishaTara)
hang on, what did you get at AS?
so you only need a D/C in your exams to get a B overall? :O how does that work?!

2 good B's, An A and a B. two As. top A and Good C.

+ Coursework don't forget.


There's alot of ways :P

If he's also done one half of the A2, then 3 mid B's, an A and 2 B's, An A, B and a high C

[Venomilys]

(Original post by AishaTara)
hang on, what did you get at AS?
so you only need a D/C in your exams to get a B overall? :O how does that work?!

72 + 116 + 43 + 80 =311

420 is a B, therefore I only need 109 combined out of a potential 210 on my final two papers. Harder than it sounds.

[Venomilys]

Anyone?

[purplefrog]

Focus on your inorganic chemistry as its a lot more logical for the most part as it basically involves algebra and rearranging due to all those equilibrium constants and entropy equations. That should help you pick up marks if you're fairly logical minded and good at basic maths.

[ManPowa]

I do salters B aswell and im working towards an A grade.

I got 72 + 150 + 48 = 270 for the AS

For the A2: 75 +105 +59 and overall got 509/600 UMs

Id advise keep on repeating the papers and just learn the MS my Somalian brotherr..

[Venomilys]

(Original post by purplefrog)
Focus on your inorganic chemistry as its a lot more logical for the most part as it basically involves algebra and rearranging due to all those equilibrium constants and entropy equations. That should help you pick up marks if you're fairly logical minded and good at basic maths.

Definitely. I couldn't understand equilibrium at AS but as soon as I got on to A2 and I saw the equations and how they are related by a ratio (K_c and K_p) that doesn't change it 'clicked'. However, I also want to strenghen my other areas, I cannot rely on the math alone.

[minthumbugs]

If you know the material then past papers seem to be the only way. Learn the mark scheme and how to answer those questions. I have the same problem. I know the material but can't answer exam questions. It's hitting those keywords that they're looking for.

Is it just the salters course that is annoying because I'm on OCR A?

With the question does it say do not accept hexagonal because it says it in the question? but then it says the bond angle anyway?

[purplefrog]

(Original post by Ilyas)
Definitely. I couldn't understand equilibrium at AS but as soon as I got on to A2 and I saw the equations and how they are related by a ratio (K_c and K_p) that doesn't change it 'clicked'. However, I also want to strenghen my other areas, I cannot rely on the math alone.

erm for organic chemistry learning the lists of reactants, conditions and any catalysts for reactions/conversions from one substance to another helps. That's just rote learning, and then also rote learning the mechanisms for the necessary reactions. Chemical tests for organic/inorganic compounds is another good one to just learn, as is colours of inorganic ions in solution.

[Venomilys]

(Original post by ManPowa)
I do salters B aswell and im working towards an A grade.

I got 72 + 150 + 48 = 270 for the AS

How did you get full UMS in natural resources? I never thought I'd see the day when a fellow human being scores perfection in an A level chem exam.

[Venomilys]

(Original post by minthumbugs)
With the question does it say do not accept hexagonal because it says it in the question? but then it says the bond angle anyway?

Nope, in the markscheme it says not to accept it, but in the question they do not specifically object it.

[AishaTara]

(Original post by Ilyas)
72 + 116 + 43 + 80 =311

420 is a B, therefore I only need 109 combined out of a potential 210 on my final two papers. Harder than it sounds.

if this is for aqa, 116 would be an A in unit 2 well done

[ManPowa]

(Original post by Ilyas)
How did you get full UMS in natural resources? I never thought I'd see the day when a fellow human being scores perfection in an A level chem exam.

I got that this january. I just worked hard for it. It was 71 for an A grade and my teacher got the paper back and he said i got 91/100 so it was defo full UMS. I just knew everythinggg. Mashallah.

[Venomilys]

(Original post by AishaTara)
if this is for aqa, 116 would be an A in unit 2 well done

I'm doing salters, 120 was for an A (out of 150). So really, I was probably 1/2 raw marks off of an A. I have no idea how that happened.

[ManPowa]

(Original post by Ilyas)
I'm doing salters, 120 was for an A (out of 150). So really, I was probably 1/2 raw marks off of an A. I have no idea how that happened.

You were exactly two raw marks off an A in f332.
I think you'll be awryt. you need two solid C's in each exam and youll get tha B.

[AishaTara]

(Original post by Ilyas)
I'm doing salters, 120 was for an A (out of 150). So really, I was probably 1/2 raw marks off of an A. I have no idea how that happened.

ah thats so gutting :/ i'd cry if that happened to me, because i dont want any resits

[Carbon12]

I would get hold of all of the past question papers. http://www.sci2.co.uk/ is a good place to start for SaLters.


Good luck

[Venomilys]

(Original post by ManPowa)
You were exactly two raw marks off an A in f332.
I think you'll be awryt. you need two solid C's in each exam and youll get tha B.

I managed to scrape a B with an open book test + a boat load of silly mistakes.

I think it is doable. Just a case of eating the specification.

[BFH]

Do lots of past papers the gauge the type of questions they ask, they'll all follow similiar ideas/structures in your real exam. Other than that its all down to revision...I know unit 5 is boring as **** but once you're in the zone it aint soosoo bad.