Concepts to get you ahead in your Chemistry May 2022 Exams!

Fantastic!! You made it to your IBDP Chemistry FINALS... What better way to conclude your May 2022 Examination than with Chemistry… leading to an end of IBDP stress forever!!

IBDP Chemistry had been a mesmerizing learning experience with formulae, equations, diagrams and much more. Blen is here to give you a sigh of relief uncovering that not all concepts you learned in the IBDP Chemistry course show up in your final exams! This opens the door for smarter study time focusing only on the most predicted topics for this exam.

Our team of IB Examiners and teachers have analyzed the IBDP pattern and have devised the list of concepts that are most likely to appear for the May 2022 Exams.

On the 18th of May 2022 afternoon, you will take two IB Chemistry papers back-to-back. There is no Paper 3 being tested this year. Each paper has its own quirks to watch out for:

IBDP Chemistry Paper 1 Strategy:

Facts:

  • DP Chemistry SL has 30 MCQs to be solved in 45 Minutes and DP Chemistry HL has 40 MCQs to be solved in 60 Minutes
  • No IBDP Chemistry Data Booklet is provided for this exam but the Periodic Table is provided as part of the Question Sheet.
  • More than 30% of the questions require numerical calculation which makes it further challenging.
  • Good news is Grade Boundaries are relatively low. Maybe a 7 for 66% in SL and 74% in HL.

Predicted Concepts from each topic in SL:

  • Topic 1: Reacting Masses, Limiting Reactant, Gas Laws, Balancing Equations.
  • Topic 2: Atomic Notation, Isotopes, Electron Arrangement
  • Topic 3: Trends in Periodic Table, Oxides of Period 3
  • Topic 4: Lewis Diagram, VSEPR Theory, Ionic Bonds
  • Topic 5: Bond Enthalpy, Hess’s Law
  • Topic 6: Factors Affecting Rate
  • Topic 7: Equilibrium Constant
  • Topic 8: Acid/Base Strength. pH
  • Topic 9: Oxidation States
  • Topic 10: Nomenclature, Alkene, Alcohol Reactions
  • Topic 11: Uncertainty, Errors 

Predicted Concepts from each topic in HL:

  • Topic 1: Reacting Masses, Limiting Reactant, Gas Laws, Balancing Equations.
  • Topic 2: Atomic Notation, Isotopes, Ionization Energy, Hydrogen Spectrum
  • Topic 3: Trends in Periodic Table, Oxides of Period 3
  • Topic 4: Lewis Diagram, VSEPR Theory, Ionic Bonds, Allotropes
  • Topic 5: Bond Enthalpy, Hess’s Law, Heat of Formation
  • Topic 6: Factors Affecting Rate
  • Topic 7: Equilibrium Constant, Arrhenius Constant
  • Topic 8: Acid/Base Strength. pH
  • Topic 9: Reactivity Series
  • Topic 10: Nomenclature, Alkene, Alcohol Reactions
  • Topic 11: Graphical Analysis, 1H NMR

Word of Advice:

  • You will be tested on each topic in Paper 1, but the above-listed concepts are frequently examined.
  • Keep a check on time as you have only 1.5 minutes per question
  • If you are stuck on any question, better skip it and you can always come back.
  • Take advantage and don’t leave any questions unanswered. Remember there is ‘no negative marking’.

IBDP Chemistry Paper 2 Strategy:

Facts:

  • DP Chemistry SL has 5-6 extended response questions to be solved in 75 Minutes and DP Chemistry HL has 7-8 extended response questions to be solved in 135 Minutes
  • This time calculator is allowed and IBDP Chemistry Data Booklet is there for you.
  • It’s challenging and be prepared probably you won’t finish it.
  • Good news is Grade Boundaries are usually very low. Maybe a 7 for 60% in SL and 54% in HL.

Predicted Concepts from each topic in SL:

  • Topic 1: Reacting Masses, Limiting Reactant, Gas Laws, Balancing Equations.
  • Topic 2: Energy Level Diagrams,
  • Topic 3: Oxides of Period 3
  • Topic 4: Lewis Diagram and Shapes
  • Topic 5: Calculating Enthalpy Changes
  • Topic 6: Maxwell-Boltzmann energy Distribution Curves
  • Topic 7: Application of Le Chatelier’s Principle.
  • Topic 8: Strong and Weak Acid Bases
  • Topic 9: Reactivity Series
  • Topic 10: Functional Group Reactions
  • Topic 11: IHD Method

Predicted Concepts from each topic in HL:

  • Topic 1: Empirical Formula, Mole Concept Calculation
  • Topic 2: Energy Level Diagrams, Electron Configuration, Ionization Energy
  • Topic 3: Oxides of Period 3
  • Topic 4: Lewis Diagram, Shapes, Hybridization
  • Topic 5: Calculating Enthalpy change, Gibb’s Free Energy
  • Topic 6: Maxwell-Boltzmann energy Distribution Curves
  • Topic 7: Equilibrium Law Expression
  • Topic 8: Calculation of Ka and Kb
  • Topic 9: Voltaic Cells
  • Topic 10: Functional Group Mechanism
  • Topic 11: IHD Method, Identification of organic compounds

Word of Advice:

  • Usually, Paper 2 is loaded with Topic 4, Topic 10, Topic 1 and Topic 1.
  • Focus on your strengths within these frequently investigated topics as listed above.
  • Take advantage of the 5-minutes Reading Time to pick the questions you are most confident about.
  • Recognize the topics and turn to the relevant page on your data booklet.
  • Look for the information in the previous parts of the question, maybe you already have it.
  • Follow IBDP command words to answer appropriately.
  • While planning your answers, keep an eye on the allocated marks for each question.
  • Use the ‘Ans’ button of your calculator rather than manually rounding off the intermediate steps.
  • Be alert about the units on the graph axes, usually it’s either the gradient or area of the graph to be calculated.

Believe in Yourself

Revisions should be thoughtful and focused on what matters. Make the most of your time by reviewing essential concepts and working with Blen to create your own test on these often-researched topics.

Remember that the most important thing is to have faith in yourself and to be self-assured.

You know more than you think you do!! Good Luck!!

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