Meticulously Planned

Designing original experiments is extremely time-consuming. We have poured many hours into planning and executing the experiments to cultivate critical thinking while helping students excel in the exams better. Each practical exam assessment at Seb Academy is designed to help students tackle the O Level / IP Chemistry practical examinations.

The response from students and academic results have proven that the design and intent of the practicals to help students master the experiment component of the Chemistry examinations has been extremely well.

Carefully planned Chemistry Planned Assessment

A lot of careful deliberation effort has been put into designing, curating, setting up, overseeing, grades and assessing students in the mastery of Chemistry lab sessions. The practical aims to equip students with the necessary skills to handle lab apparatus safely and demonstrate a fair understanding of analysing chemicals. We grade our students in their Chemistry Practical assessments to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses better

All chemicals are sourced from safe and approved materials

All our chemicals obtained are NEA-approved and are safe for lab use. The Chemistry experiments have been performed by our teachers before the practical to assess the safety and efficacy of the practical to ensure students would be able to perform the practical examinations in our lab safely, on time, and with efficacy to deliver the critical thinking component required for the O level Chemistry / IP Practical examinations.

Types of Questions that can be tested in the Practical Paper:

1. Acid-base titration using methyl orange as indicator for colour changes.

*Students are required to note colour changes and titration results in suitable tables and perform satisfactory quantitative analysis.

2. QA: Test of Gases: Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Ammonia gas

3. QA: Test of Gases: Test of cations and anions

4. Thermometric analysis involving temperature change in a styrofoam cup.

5. Speeds of reaction involving usage of a stopwatch

6. various other forms of practical such as paper chromatography.

In the practical exam, candidates will be assessed in the following skill areas:

(a) Planning (P)

Candidates should be able to:

• identify key variables for a given question/problem such as testing the effect of catalyst on the speeds of reactions.

• outline an experimental procedure to investigate the question/problem, i.e. usage of methyl orange to perform titration

• describe how the data should be used in order to reach a conclusion, e.g. testing hydrogen gas should a metal react with acid

• identify the risks of the experiment and state precautions that should be taken to keep risks to a minimum, especially in titrations involving redox or acids, or loss of heat energy in energy changes questions.

(b) Manipulation, measurement and observation (MMO)

Candidates should be able to:

• set up apparatus correctly by following written instructions or diagrams, in preparation for titration or QA

• use common laboratory apparatus and techniques to collect data and make observations, such as the use of silver nitrate acidified or barium nitrate acidified to test for anions.

• describe and explain how apparatus and techniques are used correctly, to test for gases when effervescence is observed.

• make and record accurate observations with good details and measurements to an appropriate

degree of precision,

• make appropriate decisions about measurements or observations

(c) Presentation of data and observations (PDO)

Candidates should be able to:

• present all information in an appropriate form and tables, displaying numbers and other tabulated resources in neat and legible form

• manipulate measurements effectively for analysis, in preparation for drawing logical conclusions from tests and data to deduce a logical answer for the question.

• present all quantitative data to an appropriate number of decimal places/significant figures. Take note students, 3sf still applies!

(d) Analysis, conclusions and evaluation (ACE)

Candidates should be able to:

• analyse and interpret data or observations appropriately in relation to the task

• draw conclusion(s) from the interpretation of experimental data or observations and underlying principles

• make predictions based on their data and conclusions to satisfactory quality for examiners

• identify significant sources of errors and explain how they affect the results especially in titrations

• state and explain how significant errors may be overcome or reduced, as appropriate, including how experimental procedures may be improved

One, or more, of the questions may incorporate some assessment of skill area P, set in the context of the syllabus content, requiring candidates to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding from different sections of the syllabus. It may also require the treatment of given experimental data in drawing relevant conclusion and analysis of the proposed plan.

The Planning Question:

The planning question is compulsory, and is worth 5-6 marks and is one common pitfall for students taking the practical exams. Questions in the practical planning can include acid titration, salt preparation, experimental chemistry, or testing variables for kinetic or energy changes of reactions. It is not an impossibility to rule out ratio analysis in mole concept and stoichiometry as such students should add mole practice to their repertoire or preparation for the practical exam.