ahhhh i was just like you when it came to chemistry last year, i didn't understand it at all, and it was one of my lower predicteds. i have answered a couple other commenters' science related questions, and i'll share that here, then offer some more nuanced chem-specific tips: i watched the primrose kitten 1 hour summary of the full paper on youtube, so i knew broadly what was going to be in the paper, then i got the collins revision guide (though ngl cgp is better) and just typed up notes while saying them aloud. this filled in the gaps that the video didn't cover and helped me use the auditory and note writing skills to remember. i was moving pretty fast lol because i didn't have much time but this is definitely a good strategy for short-to-medium term memory. i didn't do any practice papers which i regret, but definitely try and get one or two in after you know all the content - i think it's really important to know before you test. you definitely have enough time to massively get your grades up high through using strategies like this. ik chemistry is complicated, but understanding it and taking time to know the topics is the making of a grade 8/9 student, and means you can respond to any question - but similarly, i think gcses (as opposed to a levels) are mostly a memory test and all i really did was memorise and got an 8, so try to understand, but if you can't, you should still be fine if you know everything on the spec.
chemistry is just genuinely a test of, do you know all these topics and can you answer a certain set of questions. it's more memorisation than practical application than other subjects. split it up by topic and don't passively read, read aloud or make notes or watch videos (there's so many helpful ones on youtube). repetition is important. maybe even read aloud with a friend or fam member, and talk it through with them (my dad loves to discuss each topic with me which really helps). you've got this! make sure to learn the practicals as they are commonly 6 markers, and understand processes of anything as they can be large mark questions and you would want to be able to recall. also focus on things you aren't so strong on first, as it gets it out the way. when it comes to understanding the topics, try and frame it as a discussion with somebody - a family member, friend, or a chemistry teacher. understand each aspect and really get your head around it, and spend enough time to make sure you have a grasp on it. at this stage, you don't need to know everything - just have a broad understanding, and then you can start taking detailed notes, reading revision guides, and filling in the blanks. take a look at the examiners' reports if you feel it will help as well, to help with answering the questions.
my biggest tip when you don't understand things yet - prioritise learning content over putting it into play with practice papers. aim to do those after you know things, so you are genuinely testing yourself. chemistry is confusing, yes, and it is daunting, but if you know common questions that usually come up, and if you have a good understanding of each topic and THEN an understanding of its nuances - you've got it. for me it was genuinely just trying to discuss the topics, then making notes, because at least i could understand bio and physics. i know it seems hard to wrap your head around it now, but be patient, take the time to unpack each topic well - for example, say you're struggling with organic chemistry. if i were you, i'd go through it with somebody first maybe. then (or if that's not possible), i would watch videos on youtube to fully flesh it out, probably freesciencelessons for a first run through. if you like making notes, defo do so with this. then i would use the revision guides and make notes, read through, learn the ins and outs and finer points of organic chem. then i would test myself, then come back to find specific videos or pages on things i struggled with. then i would try my hand at a physics and maths tutor set of questions on organic chemistry. you have enough time now to spend some time, maybe a few days per topic (idk how many other subjects you have on your plate at the moment) and you've totally got the time to smash it and get your head around it. it's definitely possible!
i hope this helped, please let me know if you'd like any other tips separate to these if these don't work as i'm sure i'll have other ideas, and good luck in the exams
