How to Revise for GCSE Chemistry

The content in any two subjects isn’t the same. No two exams in May will be the same. No two lessons are the same in school. So why should your revision be the same for all subjects? Our GCSE Chemistry Tutors have put together this free guide for you to use.

Many students struggle with GCSE Chemistry because it combines elements from all three sciences —some biology in the chemistry of the atmosphere, some physics in electrolysis, and fuel cells.

This guide will breakdown exactly how our past GCSE Chemistry students who have achieved 8s and 9s in their exams, Chemistry Tutoring done right!

1. Content Digestion and Understanding
2. Practising Chemical Calculations and Equations
3. Mastering Exam Technique and Exam Words
4. Using Past Papers to Strengthen Weak Points

Content Digestion and Understanding

Let’s take Electrolysis as an example. Many students struggle with this topic and come to their Science Tutors at SmartX for help making sense of it. It is one of the hardest Chemistry topics!

There are two different types of electrolysis:

• Molten Electrolysis
• Aqueous Solutions

In Molten Electrolysis, the cations (positive ions) move towards the cathode (negative electrode) as they are attracted towards it. Similarly, the anions (negative ions) move towards the anode (positive electrode) as they are attracted towards it.

Instead of remembering anode is positive and cathode is negative, try this technique:

• Cations – ‘Cat’ – Paws-itive – Positive – Attracted towards Cathode – Positive attracted to Negative so the Cathode is Negative
• Anions – Sounds like ‘onions’ – Negative – Attracted towards Anode – Negative attracted to Positive so the Anode is Positive

Why can’t you electrolyse Solid Ionic Compounds?

• Because the ions aren’t free to move
• This is a very common two marker
• These keywords are required to get the marks. In an ionic compound, the ions that compose the compound have to be able to move towards the electrodes. You cannot mention electrons here.

What is the electrode made from and why?

• An inert conductive material, such as carbon so the electrode doesn’t react with the ions.

This is just an introduction to the topic; there are a lot more things to discover and understand, such as what happens in an aqueous solution where water is involved, or what are half equations, or even what species is being reduced and which species is being oxidised?

Understanding and digesting the content is the most important part of Science, whether that is Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Both GCSE Science and A Level Sciences are content heavy, remember to keep recapping old content to keep it fresh in your mind.

Practising Calculations and Equations

• Don’t just memorise equations, understand what they mean. What is each species doing in the equation, and how is it being changed?
• Once this makes sense, it becomes automatic.
• Practise strategy:
  • Do 10-15 calculation questions weekly (moles, concentration, gas volume)
  • Always show full working – method marks matter
  • Remember to use correct units and significant figures or decimal places!
• A Chemistry tutor can help breakdown topics like this until it becomes second nature!

Exam Command Words to Know:

• Describe – Say what happens
• Explain – Say why it happens
• Calculate – Show full working
• Compare – Include similarities and differences
• Evaluate – Compare and give reasons why

SmartX Tutors can help you “think like an examiner” – identifying keywords that will fill you with confidence going into that GCSE exam hall!

Using Past Papers to Strengthen Weaknesses:

Past papers are your best friends. The best way to make sure you know how to apply your knowledge is through past papers. They can also give you a lot of information on what to revise next. This is how you should do every past paper:

• Complete a past paper in timed conditions
  • Make sure it is strictly timed, without any distractions. Pretend you are in your GCSE exam hall.
• Mark your work using the mark scheme but do NOT write the correct answers
  • When marking, use categories for lost marks, such as Silly Mistakes, Lack of Content, Not enough working out.
• Go over the wrong answers and reattempt them in a different coloured pen
• Mark your work again.
• Use the mark scheme to correct yourself and find any final lost marks.

This method is something SmartX Tutors use with students to help make a curated exam prep programme that can be used to build accuracy, confidence and exam timing.

GCSE Chemistry success is not just going to come from memorising the textbook; it will come from understanding. By mastering calculations and training with real exam questions, you can approach your chemistry exams with clarity and confidence.

At SmartX Tutoring, our one to one Chemistry tutoring sessions help students build these exact skills – turning confusion into confidence and knowledge into top grades.