By Pat O’Shea

Pat O’Shea is the author of many VCE chemistry textbooks, study guides and trial exams. He has been an assessor for the Chemistry Exam for over 25 years and was a contributor to the VCAA 2024 sample exam.

The VCE Chemistry exam is generally considered to be very challenging.

• It requires an understanding of concepts rather than simply the rote-learning of facts.
• Students need to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar contexts.
• Questions can blend concepts from several different topics.
• Students need to be able to relate theory to real-world contexts and to sustainability.

As you complete trial exams and past papers to hone your exam technique, keep the following guidelines in mind.

Units

Be sure to include units with any numerical answers, even if the question does not provide them. (Some questions provide the units, e.g. ‘Determine the volume, in L’.)

Significant figures

Do not round off any values obtained during a calculation; only consider significant figures when you write your final answer. The number of significant figures should match the number of significant figures of the least precise value provided. For example, if you are given 2.461 g, 5.6 ⁰C and 22.4 mL, give the answer to 2 significant figures as determined by the temperature value.

States

Always include states in equations. Fuels will usually be (l), H₂O in thermochemical equations is usually H₂O(l), while a catalyst for an ester would be H₂SO₄(l).

Data Book

Be very familiar with how useful the Data Book can be. It provides formulas, several organic structures, the electrochemical series, charges on ions and more. Note that a new version was released early in 2026 and further modifications can be made at any time.

Calculator

Make sure you are adept at using the calculator you are taking into the exam. Consider things such as whether you can use scientific notation on it, and whether you can perform some of the less common functions such as finding a cube root.

VCAA command terms

The Chemistry exam is very specific about the command terms used, and many of these terms require a particular style of answer.

• The final question of the 2025 exam (Section B, Question 7b.) used the term evaluate. With this term, you will not score full marks if you do not make a judgement at the end of your response as to which argument you favour.
• The term explain requires more theory in a response than the term describe.
• A strong argument for one alternative in a compare question is not enough. You must discuss both alternatives.

Mark allocation

The suggested number of marks provides a guideline as to how much detail, or how many steps, are needed in an answer. In a numerical question, each step is usually worth 1 mark. For instance, if a question asks you to draw all possible structures and is worth 3 marks, there are likely 3 possible structures.

A long discussion question often provides dot points to guide your response. Consider these points carefully, as they usually incorporate the marking scheme of the question.

Consequential marking

Consequential marks are marks awarded later in an answer for using the right method, even if you have made an earlier error and are using an incorrect number. For example, consider a question where part a. asks you for the number of mole of a gas and then part b. asks for its volume. If you cannot complete part a. but state that you are using 2 mole (in this case, making up a number) for part b. and you correctly complete part b., you will receive full marks for part b.

Time management

Use practice exams to decide whether starting with Section A or Section B of the Chemistry exam works best for you. Either way, you cannot afford to spend more than 45 minutes on the multiple-choice questions without jeopardising your chances of completing the exam.

Use the 15 minutes of reading time carefully to determine which concepts are being asked about in the Section B contexts.

Sustainability

Sustainability in the real world is a key understanding expected of VCE Chemistry students. Practise your responses to questions relating to the environmental impact of energy sources and how various green chemistry principles can be applied to chemical processes.

Sketches and point form

You do not have to use full sentences in Section B; annotated sketches and point-form responses are often more succinct and efficient. Also, do not completely cross out working that you are not confident of, as it may contain some correct working.

When developing a detailed answer, place your strongest points first as points made near the end of a long discussion might not be considered.

Location of answer

If a box is provided following a question asking for a structure or a direction of ion flow, use it. A correct structure drawn elsewhere will not be marked.

Experimental technique

One question in Section B usually relates to a detailed experiment. Look carefully at the data and graphs provided before answering the relevant question/s. Your responses need to discuss this data, not your theoretical understanding of the context.

Final words

Read the Chief Assessor’s report for the previous year’s exam (available on the VCAA website). It contains a thorough discussion of typical student strengths and weaknesses that you can take into account and consider as part of your preparation.