How to Ace a Chemistry Test

Chemistry is one of the hardest classes in high school. If you have come to this site, you obviously want to know some of the more hidden tips on how to ace a chemistry test.

This stie is mainly for studying chemistry in highschool, but it may provide useful tips otherwise also.

Before I tell you any tips, the most practical tip is to study. Although many students have a natural gift for getting A's without studying, the majority of us have to grind it out. These are guidelines to streamline your studying and make it most effective. They go in order of most broad to most detailed, so read through the whole thing!

SIT alone in silence - study as if you are taking the test. In any test you do not have the comfort to lie on a sofa with music blasting while doing the problems. Try best to emulate the working environment.

DIVIDE the work into sections - if your test is on many sections/chapters, alot a certain amount of time to each section. If you are studying over several days (although few do), try to review all the sections on the last day, briefly.

have a REWARDS SYSTEM- Try to reward yourself for every section of the work that you have completed. Some say not to use chocolate...I say USE CHOCOLATE. It will be a good reward and will not waste time, as playing videogames or watching "Always Sunny" on Hulu will.

take BREAKS - When you reward yourself, try to go outside and just take a breath of fresh air. Then, if it is late, wash your face, and, if need be, make some coffee.

SLEEP - to contradict my last point I must emphasize the importance of getting a good night's sleep. If you are not through all the material, do a few less review problems per section. I know many will not follow this advise, and I must say I usually don't myself, but it can be very important in terms of getting through the test in a timely manner.

NOTE: I do not encourage sleeping without reviewing adequately. Please dont sleep without reviewing at 9:30, and expect to ace the test.

be CONFIDENT - you need to have the mindset of a genius to perform like one. Regardless of your grades, go into class as if you know everything about the testing material and chem in general, but DONT BOAST (you will look like an idiot). You may notice that some kids who do not try still get As because they go in knowing they will ace the test.

READ the ENTIRE CHAPTER(s) - This is the most crucial idea. Although a test may appear to be only problems, the underlying concepts are necessary to do the problem, especially if the teacher changes the format. If you are given moles instead of molarity, you should still be able to solve it. This is the hardest, yet most important task.

do the EXAMPLE PROBLEMS - this may seem silly, but, before reading the example problems, trey to do them on a separate piece of paper. Then go back and see how the book did it. The quality of the book steps vary. Note that this is the second review of the material, with the first being class time/HW.

do PRACTICE PROBLEMS - this should be the bulk of the review. You should be able to do at least "moderate" level questions, or "hard" in some advanced classes. Try to review several questions from each section. Also, note the ones you cannot do, and call a friend.

call a FRIEND - meeting with a friend outside of school can be a hassle, but call him and put the phone speaker on. Then review the hard problems step by step. Make sure you help him out with his troubles too.

see the TEACHER - sometimes you understand the material and specific process of solving something in class, but cannot understand the general concepts. If this is the case, you need to consult with your teacher, and have them explain it to you. This also shows off your interest and passion.

review HOMEWORK - this may seem a bit of a waste of time, but it is necessary to review any starred or key questions your teacher assigns or talks about.

do the ENTIRE QUESTION - Make sure you actually know the process, and do out the questions. Do not just assume you know how to do something.

Do not get DISTRACTED - try to concentrate...duh!

LOOK OVER the test - if you have spare time, make sure you didn't skip any questions. This is important especially if you have skipped around.

read the QUESTION - make sure you read the question. Cliche, yes, but important? absolutely.


Please inform me of any other content I should add!
Good Luck!!!