Preliminary Chemistry and physics study techniques and past papers (1 Viewer)

[absydau]

Hi All,
Since Annuals are coming soon, just wondering does any one have study techniques or past papers to share for both preliminary chemistry and physics please

 

[jimmysmith560]

Past papers for the new syllabus seem particularly hard to find (for both Chemistry and Physics).

In terms of study techniques, however, here are some things to consider for Preliminary Chemistry:

• Make sure you address a question in a structured manner. This is particularly the case of "explain" questions, which require students to link cause and effect, i.e. knowing why one thing leads to another.
• While memorising how to answer a specific type of question instead of understanding relevant content (particularly the principles of chemistry) might be easier in the short term, such an approach can be detrimental to your performance in the long term.
• Regarding complex calculations, you should be constantly practising calculation questions and memorising formulas (where applicable). Additionally, you should ensure your calculations are well-formatted.

In terms of Preliminary Physics, here are some things to consider:

• When performing calculations, you should be careful with quantities and units as a student can correctly perform a calculation but still have marks deducted if they miss or use incorrect units. You should also be used to converting between different units where required.
• Make sure you are comfortable with drawing and interpreting data/information from graphs, particularly if this information needs to be used to perform a certain calculation.
• Similarly to Chemistry, avoid memorising how to answer a specific type of question instead of learning and understanding the relevant laws of physics and how these apply depending on the question. This is especially the case of Module 4 - Electricity and Magnetism.
• If there is a question that requires you to address a concept you are comfortable with, you should apply as much of your knowledge as possible to the question (as long as this knowledge is relevant to the question). This includes explaining/making clear references to the relevant laws of physics in your answer.

I hope this helps!

 

[CM_Tutor]

• While memorising how to answer a specific type of question instead of understanding relevant content (particularly the principles of chemistry) might be easier in the short term, such an approach can be detrimental to your performance in the long term.

The new syllabus is designed with the intention of making making memorising rather than understanding an unrewarding approach. Such an approach was much more potentially beneficial under the previous syllabus.