10 Tricks to Help You Prep for This Year’s IB Chemistry Test
Students often report that IB Chemistry is one of the subjects they find to be the most challenging and demanding during the IB program. And in this age of pandemics, classroom instruction has largely been replaced by online teaching; you have no clue how much time and work goes into studying for your course; you have no idea how much time and effort goes into studying for your classes. As a result of these conditions, the difficulty level of studying chemistry will only increase, as you will no longer have the luxury of asking the instructors for explanations immediately after each lesson.
I am certain that you will acknowledge that attaining the top grades will not take place overnight like some overnight miracle. However, all that is required is to establish a solid foundation and go forward one step at a time.
Even if getting a higher grade in IB Chemistry may be a difficult undertaking in and of itself, it is still possible to get a perfect test score by developing effective study habits, organizing oneself, and keeping discipline in a planned way.
So, to help you better prepare for your IB Chemistry Test, here are some tips that may assist you in doing well.
- Before you start the lesson, you must first…
Choosing an IB Chemistry course at a suitable level is important for you to navigate the preparation process successfully. Students who have no prior understanding of Chemistry can frequently finish the SL Chemistry course successfully.
Given the scope and complexity of the HL Chemistry course, however, some grounding in IGCSE Chemistry or its equivalent is required to be properly prepared for the HL Chemistry study.
Speak with your faculty and choose between SL and HL, depending on your interests, qualifications, and history.
- The Building Blocks of Chemistry
The first step in preparing for IB Chemical at any level is to lay a solid foundation in fundamental chemistry principles.
It involves debating what atoms are and what they are composed of (the essential building components are the proton, neutron, and electron), reading a periodic chart, and understanding how atomic weights function.
The core ideas are vital for organizing knowledge because you will need them often, while problem-solving and learning them well will greatly shorten the time required to master the other, more complex topics.
- Stay ahead in class by studying routinely.
If you do not comprehend the fundamental themes, you will not be able to get your brain around many of the issues that follow in the IB Chemistry curriculum.
It’s because most of the topics build on those that came before them. Over time, do not allow issues you cannot comprehend to collect. You should not wait until the night before an exam to catch up on material; rather, you should spend at least a couple of hours each week learning new material as it is presented in class.
Because the speed of instruction at most institutions is very quick, it is also beneficial to memorize the material ahead of time so that you may remain one or two topics in class.
- Exercise your ability to solve problems.
In Chemistry, the ability to solve problems is a prerequisite skill, and your final grade will be determined almost entirely by how well you can do this. Consequently, it would be best if you made it a priority to place problem-solving at the forefront of your study plan. When trying to solve the moles of various compounds, it may appear like a simple application of formulae. Still, in the end, it leads to complex issues that require applying several formulas in a precise manner to get the proper result.
Mastering a variety of formulae and the domains in which they are used may require an initial investment of more time; nevertheless, doing so will equip you with the appropriate strategy for efficiently resolving difficult queries, which will result in the savings of more time.
- Use mental applications
You will learn how to write down knowledge that you have previously assimilated via mind maps, which will provide you with a collection of complete notes to utilize in the future. Keep a few pages of your notes on hand, so you don’t have to go through the textbook to refresh your memory on the most important ideas.
Note: When you are in a class, it is in your best interest to note potential areas in which you could have questions on subjects you did not fully understand. You may not benefit from taking notes you are already familiar with since doing so will lead you straight back to the concepts that were difficult enough for you to comprehend.
- Time Management
Keep a log of all the tasks you are expected to do, and having a timetable will greatly assist. It will also aid in monitoring and preventing you from putting things off until the last minute. It will also help you fulfill the deadlines, which is very important in the IB program since the deadlines are just as important.
It would be best if you prioritize your work to maintain your current trajectory. However, rather than seeking the instructor for help at the very last minute, it would be more acceptable for you to connect with the subject teacher if you feel you are falling behind the other students.
- Practice previous paper questions and review
You should practice questions relevant to a subject from the textbook and previous IB Chemistry papers if you have a solid understanding of the principles included within that topic. It is vital to practice questions from at least the five most recent exam papers to get familiar with the various questions that may be assessed from that particular area.
Before going on to the next paper, you should review the previous ones and compare your answers to the marking system.
Make a note of the elements that are absent from your responses, and ensure that you include them the next time you are asked a question that is very similar to this one.
- Collaborate
There is no substitute for collaborative study with one’s contemporaries when efficiently acquiring knowledge of difficult subjects.
Learning via collaboration is enjoyable when done with others, but it also results in a greater accumulation of knowledge overall. Whenever you get stuck on one of your tasks, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from the people you study. But at the same time, certain projects need to be handled individually. In such circumstances, kindly inquire with the instructor as to whether or not it is possible to work together.
Make an effort to participate in the group chats so that you may have access to the necessary study materials and ask the graduates of the IB program for advice.
- Subject Guide
A study guide is highly suggested since it provides concise information on the themes covered in the books and may help students revise the material a day before the test rather than reading the whole book again.
10. Beware of Piracy!
It’s important to note that IB takes piracy extremely seriously, so please refrain from plagiarizing. Don’t forget to give proper credit where credit is due.
To conclude
Clearing IB chemistry tests isn’t rocket science, but if you put in the time and effort, you’ll walk away with flying colors. It is important to remember these factors and seek advice from gurus like Tribe Topper.
