The Secret Element to Your Chemistry Success: Exam Technique
- Kimberley Ross
- Sep 19
- 6 min read
Ever feel like you've understood something in class, but then you are presented with a question on the topic and all of a sudden you've forgotten everything you thought you knew? This is much more common than you think and there is a vital step in your learning process that you may be missing out of your studies. They say knowledge is power, but (in the case of sitting exams) unfortunately knowledge of the course theory alone isn't always enough. Especially when it comes to chemistry.
The Harsh Truth: Knowledge ≠ Exam Success (Sorry!)
Here's something your teachers might not have told you outright: engraving the entirety of your class notes into your brain is only half the battle. The real difference between you achieving an A over a B or a C over a D often comes down to something way less glamorous but infinitely more important – exam technique.
I know it seems like some mystical concept that exam boards made up to torture students (and you could argue it kinda is), but think about it this way... you could be the most talented dancer in the world, but if you don't know the specific choreography the judges want to see, you're probably not taking home that trophy.
Your exam board most likely have very particular ideas about what they want to see in your answers. They've got their favourite phrases, their preferred level of detail, and their own special way of asking questions. So learning to speak their language is exactly where the magic happens!
Becoming Fluent in "Exam Board"
Every exam board has its own style. They each have their own question styles, exam format, ways of phrasing questions and their own 'wants' when it comes to student answers. Once you crack their code, something pretty amazing happens – when you sit down for your actual exam, the questions don't feel like they're written in ancient hieroglyphics. Instead, you'll be thinking, "Oh hey, I know exactly what you're asking for!"
This familiarity is pure gold (Au-some, if you will) in an exam room. Confidence is your best friend when you're under pressure, and nothing builds confidence quite like feeling like you've seen it all before.
The Clues are in the Questions
Let's talk command words, because these little gems are basically the exam board's way of giving you a roadmap:
"State" = Simply recall and write down a fact, name, or definition. Give a direct, factual answer with no explanation needed.
"Describe" = Paint a picture of what happens, but stick to observable facts. List the key features or steps in a logical order, but don't explain why they happen.
"Suggest" = Use your chemistry knowledge to propose a reasonable answer when the information isn't directly given. Apply what you know to a new situation - there might be more than one acceptable answer.
"Explain Fully" = This is the big one! Give a complete explanation with both what happens AND why it happens. Start with the observation or fact and then explain the underlying chemistry principles.
"Calculate" = Bit of an obvious one here, but you will need your calculator and most likely your data booklet. Make sure to show your working clearly and try not to round numbers mid calculation if you can help it (not essential but is helpful for the marker!).
"Predict" = Use patterns, trends, or scientific principles in data you are presented with to suggest a value/observation that could be possible.
Understanding these command words isn't just about getting the right answer - it's about giving the right amount of detail in the right way. The mark allocation of the questions can also give you a clue as to how much detail is required.
The Art of Question Spotting (It's Like Being a Detective!)
Here's where your confidence will be sky high! Once you've done enough past papers, you start seeing the patterns. It's like having the exam board's formula. You'll notice that:
Certain questions are more common than others
Questions on many sub-topics follow similar structures
Mark allocations for common questions become very predictable
You might be thinking this sounds a bit 'boron', but once you get that feeling of being familiar with the questions and what the ideal answers are, you'll feel unstoppable! You'll start managing your time like a pro, know exactly what sub-topic you need to tap into, and hit all the key words and phrases the exam board are looking for.
Why Your Class Notes Aren't Enough
Your class notes will form a key part of your revision materials, but here's the thing: they're designed to teach you chemistry, not to teach you how to excel in your chemistry exams. There's a difference, and it matters more than you might think.
Past Papers: Your New Best Friends
Real past papers are like getting a sneak peek behind the curtain. They don't just show you what topics might come up – they show you exactly how the exam board likes to twist and turn their questions to test your knowledge. Don't just skim through them during a study break. Actually do them. Don't start doing them under tied conditions straight away though. Build your confidence without the time pressure first, use your class notes and the marking schemes to help you, and then build in the timed conditions closer to your assessments.
Marking Schemes: The Inside Scoop
If past papers are your new best friends, marking schemes are like having the exam board's diary. They spill all the secrets:
Which specific points actually earn you marks
How much detail they really want (warning: sometimes less is more...it is possible to talk yourself out of a mark!)
Alternative answers that are totally acceptable
Answers that are completely unacceptable
When you know what the examiner is looking for, you can give them exactly that. It's like having the cheat codes to the game.
Question Analysis: Becoming a Mind Reader
Before you dive straight in to answering a question, take a hot minute to really look at what they're actually asking. Look for:
The command words we talked about
Mark allocation (1 mark = 1 point, usually!)
Any data or diagrams on the question page (they're not there for decoration!)
Specific things they have asked for in your answer e.g. a calculation, a diagram.
The context/scenario they've given in the question
Taking the time to look carefully at the question and information you are presented with will minimise any of those silly mistakes we all kick ourselves for!
Go in Confident
Let's be real: exams are as much a mental game as they are an academic one. When you walk into that exam room and the paper feels familiar (not because you've cheated), but because you recognise the style and know what's expected, your stress levels plummet.
Students who've practiced with tons of past papers often say their actual exams felt "actually OK." That's not because the exams got easier; it's because these smart cookies had built up their pattern recognition skills and walked in with unreal confidence.
Work Smarter. Not Harder.
The students who perform consistently well in their chemistry exams don't just study harder than everyone else, they study smarter. They know that exam technique is a learnable skill, just like balancing equations or understanding intermolecular forces.
This means spending time not just memorising facts about atomic structure, but learning how to communicate that knowledge in exactly the way the exam board wants to see it. It's practicing until you don't just know the material - you can get it down on paper in the 'perfect' way when the pressure's on.
What Next?
If you're often feeling disheartened about your exam performance not matching your chemistry knowledge, it's time to get working on your exam technique. Your chemistry knowledge might be on point, but without solid exam technique, you're basically trying to light a fire without any fuel. Don't let poor exam technique be the thing standing between you and your full chemical potential!
If this is something you would like some help with then come join one of our Weekly Workshops where we focus specifically on cracking the exam game.
Our short and sweet, online workshops are designed to give you:
straight to the point support
weird and wonderful analogies
a heads up on common answer errors
a chance to ask questions.
Each with a level and sub-topic focus, they are sure to help you grow your confidence without a big time commitment.
Ready to turn your chemistry knowledge into unreal exam confidence? Book into one of our weekly workshops and let's show those exam boards what you're really made of! 🧪✨
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