O-Level Chemistry

[Sunofwinter2011]

I think the Chemistry Textbook by Marshall Cavendish is not sufficient at all to secure a Distinction.


The latest exam papers tested students on contents beyond the contents provided in the textbook and even notes in some schools. For example, students need to learn dot and cross diagram of polyatomic ions and more "complex" molecules like Urea molecule tested last year. Students are also required to explain the trend in reactivity of Group I or even VII, which is not given in the textbook or even stated in syllabus. It will be helpful if students know a bit on what ionisation and IE are also.

[Sunofwinter2011]

https://youtu.be/kEg9OoJut7E


This is an interesting application of Electrolysis.

[autolycus]

Sunofwinter2011\" post_id=\"2069322\" time=\"1654089036\" user_id=\"192569:

I think the Chemistry Textbook by Marshall Cavendish is not sufficient at all to secure a Distinction.

I think it is. You don't need to be a 90% scorer to obtain a distinction. However, I do agree that if you had to include the detailed reasoning for every answer to every exam paper, the textbook would be insufficient. Maybe that's why a new edition is coming out. But of course, no textbook could possibly supply the answers to every question—that's why we have teachers. And that, sir, is where the problem lies: teaching students to think for themselves is not as easy as it looks.

[phtthp]

autolycus\" post_id=\"2069317\" time=\"1654083066\" user_id=\"16143:

Depends. MOE is changing the syllabus a bit, so new textbook out end of this year. If the student concerned is doing O-levels next year, might be worth waiting. If the student is doing it this year, Marshall Cavendish produces most of the good ones—the student should have a look to see if they understand it when casually reading. If they don't, it might be a red flag: either the student is in bad shape or the book is not appropriate.

Thank you.

We all know that
\"Chemistry Matters\", by publisher Marshall Cavendish is a popular recommended Textbook, used in more than 100+ Secondary schools, in Singapore. Inside a lot of Sec 3 schools' booklist, one can find it there readily. I do agree that this is a very good Textbook. And if u can make your own notes, that will be great. The front page cover (\"Chemistry Matters) look like this :-


https://www.amazon.sg/Chemistry-Matters-GCE-Level-2nd/dp/B075BMBGQV/ref=asc_df_B075BMBGQV/?tag=sgsmrtphshopg-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=404201474105&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16659695444686605079&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9062519&hvtargid=pla-850733601093&psc=1


However,
I inquiring about \"Guide\" book, not Textbook, not Assessment book, not Ten-year-series. \"Guide\" book, is different from Textbook.

[phtthp]

Due to pandemic, last two years (2020 and 2021),


SEAB omitted
testing of "Organic" Chemistry chapter, inside 6092 (O-level Pure Chem) syllabus.

This year (2022), covid situation improved, SEAB put it back to test back "Organic" Chem ?

[autolycus]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2069362\" time=\"1654136821\" user_id=\"35251:

However,
I inquiring about \"Guide\" book, not Textbook, not Assessment book, not Ten-year-series. \"Guide\" book, is different from Textbook.

In my original post, I wasn't talking about the textbook; the other poster mentioned that.

What I meant was (for example) https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/065864/Chemistry-O-Level-Perfect-Guide-2nd-Edition.html — the MCE 'Perfect Guide' series and I think 'Ultimate Guide' series. They do have guidebooks that are reasonably good for self-study. Of course, nothing beats a good teacher or tutor, because you get personalised explanations from those. But a study guide can be helpful, as you suggested.

[autolycus]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2069367\" time=\"1654137750\" user_id=\"35251:

Due to pandemic, last two years (2020 and 2021),

SEAB omitted
testing of \"Organic\" Chemistry chapter, inside 6092 (O-level Pure Chem) syllabus.

This year (2022), covid situation improved, SEAB put it back to test back \"Organic\" Chem ?

Yes. Was a very hard decision cutting it completely—teaching organic chemistry at higher levels has been very painful when many students arrived with little to no prior knowledge. Organic chemistry is probably the easiest part of the syllabus in terms of cognitive load, but it can be tedious to some. (Old chemist joke: most chemists need to count to 8, maybe even 18, but organic chemists think they only need to count to 4.)

[ChiefKiasu]

autolycus\" post_id=\"2069392\" time=\"1654144766\" user_id=\"16143:

...
Organic chemistry is probably the easiest part of the syllabus in terms of cognitive load, but it can be tedious to some.
...

Organic chemistry is the easiest??! OMG... I'll take inorganic chemistry any time... :nailbite:

[autolycus]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2069397\" time=\"1654146059\" user_id=\"3:

Organic chemistry is the easiest??! OMG... I'll take inorganic chemistry any time... :nailbite:

Haha! Actually, O-level organic is just alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and carboxylic acids. No mechanisms, just reactions and outcomes. That's way better than all the inorganic in which you must memorise physical and chemical properties and their trends, reactivity series of metals, etc. It's later on that organic turns hairy and inorganic becomes easier.

[phtthp]

Urgent !


My friend’s son need help in Chemistry, 1 to 1, taking O-level this year (2022). Any experienced tutor, can help ?

( no agent)

(Sorry, I not sure where to ask this question. If placed wrongly here, mod, can help me shift to the correct thread ? Thank you)