from Common Test Chemistry

  • Sundai Common Test Mock Exam

    • Score: 37/100
    • Thoughts:
      • I was completely exhausted while solving the exam.
        • If I had been more focused, I might have been able to infer the meaning and solve questions like “freezing point depression” from the words themselves.
      • I thought I could handle everything except for inorganic and organic chemistry, but I struggled quite a bit.
        • Even if you have a certain level of knowledge, it’s difficult when the question format is different from IB.
          • I understand the meaning, but it takes time when it comes to graphs or other unfamiliar visuals.
      • Well, it can’t be helped.
        • I need to study not only memorization-based topics but also other areas.
        • I guess I have to cover everything.
          • It will be useful in the future if I study.
  • Things I don’t understand:

    • Is there a difference between the Japanese chemistry syllabus and the “Chemistry” in the Common Test?
      • Are there any differences in what is likely to be asked in the Common Test?
      • How questions are asked.
      • It’s quite scary not knowing the implicit assumptions about the Common Test.
    • Is my study plan below sufficient?
      • For now, I will buy reference books specifically for the Common Test and solve all the problems.
        • In the process, I want to match Japanese and English (or concepts) and fill in any missing knowledge.
      • Once I finish one round, I will know what needs to be memorized, and then I will use Anki.
      • At the same time, I will solve past Center Test questions to get used to the Common Test format.
  • Information from domestic teachers:

    • There are indeed topics that are likely to appear in the Common Test.
      • We can find them by solving past questions, so let’s do that.
    • No objections to the study plan.
    • Be careful with data that differs from IBChem.
      • 22.7 dm3/mol vs 22.4 dm3/mol
      • 1013Pa at STP vs 1000Pa at STP
    • If you don’t have enough time, you can skip polymer chemistry.
      • Other topics mostly appear, but polymer chemistry may not.
      • It requires heavy memorization, and I don’t have the prerequisite knowledge of biology, so it may be okay to skip it if you don’t have enough time.
        • It’s a gamble though.
    • It’s worth taking the venue mock exams.
      • It helps with the tension on the spot.
  • To-do list:

    • Within the IB scope:
      • Match English knowledge to Japanese.
        • This means being able to understand Japanese → English (or concepts).
          • The Common Test is multiple-choice, so this is important.
        • Once I understand it once, I will probably remember most of it, so I want to read all the reference books and match them.
      • Memorize that I used to refer to the Data Booklet in IB.
        • This is probably only for things like the reactivity series.
    • Outside the IB scope:
      • Excluding inorganic and organic polymers, I don’t know about 30% of the material.

      • Inorganic and organic polymers: despair.

      • Learn about them.

      • Memorize.

        • This seems to be the most difficult part.
    • I’m most unsure if this plan is okay (blu3mo).
  • 2021 Common Test:

    • I thought about solving it, but it was completely impossible.
    • Differences from IB:
      • First of all, I can’t see the periodic table.
      • What is naphthalene?
      • What are sulfate salts?
        • Sulfuric Acid?
        • Is it Sulphate?
      • What is body-centered cubic lattice?
    • Also, even if I understand the meaning of the questions, I still can’t solve them because I don’t understand chemistry.
      • It’s just a lack of study.
    • For now, I will try to solve it while looking up information and understand the trends, formats, and what I need to know.
    • Things I needed:
      • Crystal structures
      • Vapor pressure curves
      • Characteristics of metal atoms
  • I borrowed a textbook from domestic students to check the differences, and it seems that domestic students have a sense of “this will be asked in the Common Test/this will not be asked.”

    • It seems that they can grasp it by solving past questions, etc.
    • I want to find a place where this information is summarized and efficiently grasp the topics that are likely to appear.