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The 2024 HSC Chemistry exam assessed students on their understanding of key syllabus concepts, including equilibrium systems, acid-base reactions, organic chemistry, and analytical techniques.
With a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response questions, the exam tested both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students needed to demonstrate problem-solving skills, mathematical calculations, and scientific reasoning aligned with the Working Scientifically outcomes outlined in the syllabus.
Overall Structure and Content
The exam was divided into two sections:
- Section I (20 marks): Multiple-choice questions assessing a broad range of syllabus topics.
- Section II (80 marks): Short-answer and extended-response questions requiring calculations, explanations, and application of chemistry concepts to real-world scenarios.
The syllabus emphasises practical investigations and the ability to analyse data, trends, and scientific principles. Many questions required students to justify their responses using chemical equations, equilibrium expressions, and experimental data.
Easiest Question
One of the more accessible questions in the exam was Question 21, which required students to name the products of a reaction between acetic acid and magnesium. This question directly aligned with fundamental syllabus content on acid-metal reactions, making it straightforward for students familiar with the basic chemical properties of acids and metals.
Hardest Question
One of the most challenging questions was Question 35, which required students to interpret numerical data, titration results, and structural information to distinguish between three acidic compounds. This question tested multiple areas of the syllabus, including acid-base chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical techniques. It required a strong grasp of chemical reasoning, equation balancing, and the ability to integrate multiple pieces of information. Many students struggled with structuring their responses logically and using the provided data effectively.
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Key Takeaways from the 2024 HSC Chemistry Examination Report
The 2024 HSC Chemistry examination report provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of student responses, offering guidance for future candidates. Understanding what distinguishes high-quality answers, common mistakes, and key areas for improvement is essential for maximising marks.
What Do Good Responses Look Like?
Successful responses demonstrated a deep understanding of syllabus content and strong application of Working Scientifically skills. According to the examiner’s report, top-performing students:
- Read questions carefully to ensure all components were addressed.
- Used correct scientific terminology to explain concepts clearly.
- Engaged with provided stimulus material, referencing data, graphs, or chemical equations accurately.
- Structured responses logically, ensuring explanations flowed coherently.
- Showed all working in calculations, maintaining correct units and significant figures.
- Provided balanced chemical equations where relevant to support explanations.
For example, in equilibrium-related questions, strong responses explicitly linked their reasoning to Le Chatelier’s Principle and correctly identified changes in equilibrium constant (Keq) values. Similarly, in organic chemistry questions, high-scoring students used correct structural diagrams and clearly identified functional groups and reaction mechanisms.
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Summary of Examiner Advice
The report highlighted several key areas where students can improve:
- Develop a clear understanding of key terms: Some students misinterpreted question requirements due to confusion over scientific terminology.
- Plan responses before writing: Many students lost marks due to rushed, unstructured answers, particularly in extended-response questions.
- Show reasoning in calculations: Responses that only provided a final answer without showing the process were penalised.
- Use precise language in explanations: Vague statements such as “it shifts equilibrium” were not enough; students needed to explain why a shift occurred.
- Engage with provided data: Some responses ignored key trends in graphs or tables, leading to incorrect conclusions.
Common Mistakes in the 2024 Exam
The report identified recurring mistakes across multiple questions. These included:
Incorrect Use of Chemical Equations
- Many students failed to balance equations correctly, particularly in acid-base and redox reactions.
- Some students wrote incorrect states for substances in precipitation and equilibrium questions.
Misinterpretation of Graphs and Data
- In quantitative questions, students often failed to interpolate data correctly or misread axes.
- Some responses did not use the trends in provided data to justify conclusions.
Weak Justification in Extended Responses
- Many students made claims without supporting evidence or explanations.
- In organic chemistry questions, some students did not justify why certain reagents were used over others.
Errors in Stoichiometric Calculations
- Some students struggled with mole ratios and incorrect unit conversions.
- Incorrect application of Keq expressions led to calculation errors in equilibrium problems.
Confusion Between Similar Concepts
- Hydrogen bonding vs. dispersion forces: Some students failed to correctly explain why alcohols have higher boiling points than amines.
- Acid strength vs. concentration: Some responses incorrectly assumed a concentrated acid was always strong.
Lack of Precision in Terminology
- Using “dissolves” instead of “ionises” in acid-base reactions.
- Describing an acid as “weak” without explaining its partial dissociation.
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Final Thoughts
The 2024 HSC Chemistry exam highlighted the importance of both conceptual understanding and strong problem-solving skills. While students performed well in fundamental recall-based questions, many struggled with applying their knowledge to unfamiliar contexts, particularly in equilibrium, organic chemistry, and analytical techniques.
Ultimately, success in HSC Chemistry comes from a combination of thorough content knowledge, effective exam techniques, and regular practice with past papers and practical investigations. By learning from past mistakes and refining their approach, students can significantly improve their performance and confidence in tackling the exam.
