H2 Chemistry Syllabus - Is H2 chemistry difficult?
Everything around us is in one way or the other related to Chemistry.
To make a career in Chemistry or its related fields, a thorough study of the subject and a detailed testing is required to ensure that you have understood and grasped the concepts accurately.
Students who show a keen interest in Chemistry would usually go for the H2 Chemistry exam. They get to know the subject in much detail and get a chance to build up necessary content and skills for further studies in the field of Chemistry itself. With its vast syllabus and detailed coverage, this exam is essential for multiple careers such as medicine, environmental sciences, and veterinary sciences.
Many candidates taking the test would tend to experience difficulties when tackling concept-based Chemistry questions, especially those higher-order thinking application questions. However, if you are applying for important careers like medicine and life sciences, you are expected to take this subject. The H2 Chemistry involves a lot of memory work, application skills and leads to a steep increase in your learning curve.
The syllabus covered in the ‘A’ Level H2 Chemistry examination is as follows:
(Source: https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/alevel/2022syllabus/9729_y22_sy.pdf )
Core Idea 1 – Matter
- Atomic Structure
Core Idea 2 – Structure and properties
- Chemical Bonding
- The Gaseous State
- Theories of Acids and Bases
- The Periodic Table
Core Idea 3 – Transformation
- The Mole concept and Stoichiometry
- Chemical Energetics: Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics (Gibbs-Free Energy and Entropy)
- Reaction Kinetics
- Chemical Equilibria
Extension Topics
- Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions
- Acid-base Equilibria
- Solubility Equilibria
- Organic Chemistry
- Isomerism
- Hydrocarbons
- Halogen Derivatives
- Hydroxy Compounds
- Carbonyl Compounds
- Carboxylic Acids and derivatives
- Nitrogen Compounds
- Electrochemistry
- Chemistry of Transition Elements
These are just the broader names of the topics covered in the exam. The details and sub-sections of these topics can be checked out from the official website of the exam-conducting body which is Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB).
Assessment Objectives
The assessment objectives with which the paper is taken include the following:
- Knowledge with Understanding
- Handling, Applying and Evaluating Information
- Experimental Skills and Investigations
Exam Pattern
The H2 Chemistry exam is sub-divided into 4 papers which help in proper assessment. The four papers namely Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4 are as under:
| Paper | Type of Paper | Duration | Marks | Weightage (%) |
| 1 | Multiple Choice | 1 hour | 30 | 15 |
| 2 | Structured Questions | 2 hours | 75 | 30 |
| 3 | Free-Response Questions | 2 hours | 80 | 35 |
| 4 | Practical | 2 hours 30 minutes | 55 | 20 |
Each section has a different way to be approached. As the question type varies from multiple choice to free response and even practical assessment, you must be adequately prepared. Adhering to deadlines is important and knowing your concepts right is quintessential.
When sitting for the H2 Chemistry A-level exam, it is automatically assumed that you have already acquired the basics and the O-level exam syllabus. If you want to revisit and revise your O-level Chemistry content, you can go to the official website and retrieve the syllabus details from there.