Alleluia said:
I found it's hard to collect all the solutions to Syllabus even there is one on CSU web(our teacher called it 'Band4 answer'). So I gave up searching the solutions in the textbooks. Then I did most of the questions on 'Successful Chemistry'(Actually, I just copied the answer and memorized it). Lukily in the HALF YEARLY EXAM the questions didnt change much compare with our school's past half yearly papers.
I have no idea about what I CAN DO if the questions change a lot in the exam. Plz can any high Band5 or Band6 Students give me some advice for study Chemistry(Band 6 way)?
First of all DO NOT SOLELY RELY ON TEXTBOOKS TO ANSWER AND MEMORISE SYLLABUS DOT POINTS!!!! This is a major flaw in many students and each year, examiners tend to catch out those who memorise rather than understand. It is even stated in the Markers' Comments for the exams. Besides how on earth can you memorise the entire course? You must UNDERSTAND what you are learning and try to answer the points YOURSELF. It would be virtually impossible to score a band 6 if you memorised your way through the course. How do HSC examiners catch out those who rote learn the course? Here's some methods of doing so:
- More and more questions cover SEVERAL dot points (sometimes a question may link different modules together) instead of just a single dot point. Usually, textbooks answer single dot points only. Asking a question covering several dot points can only be done successfully by someone who understands the course content.
- There is at least one entire question (and its parts) which assesses ONLY section 9.1 in the syllabus. This section refers to Chemistry skills which often have little to do with the main course content (which are 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 + Option) and these cannot be learnt by memorising. (E.g. assessing reliability of sources, graphing, risk assessments...etc)
- Some questions are very specific. The verbs may be shuffled a bit compared to the actual dot point. Sometimes only half a syllabus dot point and another half of a syllabus dot point can be assessed. You may be required to establish a link between concepts that you have learnt as separate concepts in class or in textbooks. There are also questions which provide stimulus material and ask you to answer a question in reference to that stimulus. Such questions require you to APPLY your understanding and knowledge to work out something. There's no way you can get full marks in such a question using memorised repsonses.
Hence, my advice is UNDERSTAND the course content and provide YOUR OWN solutions to the dot points. Remember that a typical band 6 student usually:
Demonstrates an extensive knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the chemistry course content including context, prescribed focus areas and domain. Displays an outstanding ability to describe and explain chemistry concepts, including abstract ideas, clearly and accurately, and to apply the concepts to unfamiliar situations. Applies a high level of critical thinking skills in developing appropriate solutions to problems involving a long sequence of related tasks. Analyses, evaluates and extrapolates chemical data effectively, identifies complex relationships, quantifies explanations and descriptions, and synthesises information to draw conclusions. Communicates succinctly, logically and sequentially using a variety of scientific formats. Demonstrates a high level ability to design an experimental procedure.
