How to Maximise Marks in Your Chemistry Exam

Are you ready for your chemistry exam?
The Sydney Morning Herald provided 8 dot points to help you answer Chemistry exam questions, which we have expanded out below:

• Write correctly balanced equations.(Include state, or phase, of matter)
• Structure your answers to ensure they are logical. Written calculations should be neatly organised and sequential.
  • If you dilute an acid with water at 25°C, the pH of the solution will not rise above 7
  • If you dilute a base with water at 25°C, the pH of the solution will not fall below 7
• Clearly label your graphs (plots, scale, axis, line of best fit).
• Use relevant scientific terminology.
  • Check your spelling! Ethane is NOT the same as ethene! Molarity is NOT the same as morality! Calorimetry is NOT the same as colorimetry!
  • If the question is about physical properties, think about intermolecular forces.
  • If the question is about chemical properties, think about intramolecular forces, and think about types of chemical reactions for inorganic chemicals and for organic chemicals (combustion, addition, substitution, elimination, condensation, polymerisation)
• Explain the underlying chemistry and provide relevant chemical equations.
  • Is it a gas question? Ideal Gas Law? Molar Volume? 
  • Precipitation question? Solubility Rules? Solubility Product? Gravimetric Analysis? Conductometric Analysis?  Argentimetric Analysis?
  • Equilibrium question? Equilibrium concepts? Le Chatelier's Principle? Equilibrium law?
  • Acid/base question? Definitions? Properties? Acid strength? Acid-dissociation constant? Neutralisation reaction? Titration techniques? Titration calculations?
  • Chemical kinetics question? Reaction rate? Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution?
  • Determination of organic structure? C-13 NMR, Mass Spectroscopy? IR Sopectroscopy?
• Use subscripts and superscripts where appropriate.
  • Formula of ions, superscript to right of symbol (number first followed by sign)
  • Formula of isotopes, mass number superscript to left of symbol, atomic number subscript to left of symbol 
  • Molecular formula or empirical formula, number of atoms of each element shown as a subscript to the right of the element's symbol
  • "States" or "phases" of matter are sometimes written as a subscript to the right of a molecular formula, eg, CO_2(g), but are usually written in line with with formula, eg, CO₂(g)
• Use stimulus materials to answer the question.
• Use clear labels when continuing responses in a different booklet.

ALWAYS check that you have answered the question that was asked, and not provided an answer to a question that you wish had been on the paper!