Exam Success in Chemistry for Cambridge AS A Level
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Exam Success in Chemistry for Cambridge AS A Level
Overview
Exam Success in Chemistry for Cambridge AS & A Level is a revision and exam technique guide published by Oxford University Press. Originally written by Philippa Gardom Hulme, with subsequent editions involving other contributors.
There are multiple editions. The 「first edition」 (2017) focuses on the content and exam strategies for the Cambridge AS & A Level syllabus as of that date. The 「second edition」 (2021) updates the guide to reflect changes in the syllabus and includes additional authors for enhanced content.
The book is designed as a companion resource for students who already know the syllabus content from a textbook or classroom, aiming to improve performance in actual examinations by sharpening exam technique, identifying weaknesses, and providing targeted practice.
Key Features & Structure
Below are the major features and structural elements that make this guide particularly useful:
Feature
Description
「Syllabus-aligned content」
Clarity in mapping to Cambridge AS & A Level topics: atomic structure; bonding; energetics; kinetics; equilibrium; acids & bases; redox; organic chemistry etc. Ensures no surprises in coverage.
「Exam style practice」
Contains many past-style and exam-style questions, with worked solutions or model answers. Helps students understand expectations of examiners.
「Examiner tips & commentary」
Insight into common mistakes, what examiners look for, how to structure answers, how to gain full marks in each question type.
「Revision activities & diagnostics」
Activities and questions designed to highlight weak points, so students can target their study efficiently. Also helps with recall & self-assessment.
「“Review & reflect” sections」
Designed to encourage students to think not just about what they got wrong but why, how to avoid similar mistakes, and how to improve their method / reasoning.
「Sample answers」
Detailed worked examples showing what “good” answers look like, so students can model their own responses. This is especially important for longer written questions.
Utility for Different Users
Although obviously targeted at students, this book is helpful for several groups:
「Students」 preparing for Cambridge AS & A Level exams: It helps refine exam technique, improve answers, build confidence.
「Teachers / Tutors」: Can use selected questions, model responses, and examiner commentary as teaching tools or for setting homework/tests.
「Self-learners」: Those studying independently benefit from the diagnostic features and sample answers to self-check progress.
Practical Details
「Format & Editions」: First edition (2017) in both print and eBook formats. The second edition (2021) includes updated coverage and contributions from several co-authors.
「Page count」: ≈ 256 pages in earlier edition; content is dense but well-organized.
「Price / Availability」: Widely available through international booksellers. Depending on edition and format (paperback, eBook) prices vary.
Strengths & Considerations
「Strengths:」
Very focused on exam performance; not just theory but how to present knowledge under exam conditions.
Strong alignment with Cambridge marking criteria, which is often the gap students miss.
Exercises and sample answers help bridge the gap between knowing content and writing well in exams.
「Considerations:」
It’s not a replacement for a full textbook; students still need a core textbook or lectures to learn the chemistry theory in depth.
Since editions correspond to specific syllabus versions, students should verify they are using the edition that matches their exam’s syllabus. Using an outdated edition may leave gaps.
Some students may need more worked examples or more interactive content beyond what is in the book, depending on learning style.
Why It Matters
In my (reluctant but realistic) opinion, many students fail to reach top marks not because of lack of knowledge, but because of lack of exam strategy: misunderstanding what the question asks, writing answers in the wrong style, missing minor marking points. This guide targets exactly that. It’s not glamorous, but such precision often makes the difference between an A and an A* (or its equivalent). The confidence that comes from practising with examiner commentary is itself worth a lot. 🌟
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