If you’re heading into your end-of-year Chemistry exam - whether it’s VCE, HSC, QCE, WACE, SACE or NTCET - here’s what you should know from someone who’s actually market them. These insights will help you prepare smarter, avoid common mistakes, and walk into the exam feeling more confident.
1. Your teachers mark the exams, but they don’t write them
Your teacher might be one of the people chosen to mark your exam, but they aren’t the ones who wrote it. Chemistry exams are created by an external exam authority and designed to align with each state’s curriculum.
That said, they don’t always perfectly match the way your teacher has taught the subject. States can give feedback on a draft version, but not all feedback is accepted. This is why some questions might occasionally feel confusing or slightly outside what you’ve studied.
Your teacher won’t see the final exam until you do, so be kind to them as they prepare you. They’ll often try to cover as much content as possible - just in case.
2. How Chemistry exams are marked
Every subject is marked differently, but for HSC Chemistry, the process is usually done by a committee of markers - small groups of teachers and educators assigned to specific sections of the exam. Each group marks hundreds of responses for their allocated section, refining the marking guide as they go.
In other states, like Victoria (VCE Chemistry), Queensland (QCE Chemistry), Western Australia (WACE Chemistry) and South Australia/Northern Territory (SACE/NTCET Chemistry), exams are also externally assessed, but the marking process may not follow the same committee structure. Regardless of the system, markers use detailed guides to ensure fairness and consistency.
Markers start with an initial answer key from the exam authority, but they don’t follow it blindly. They review student responses and refine the marking scheme as they go. The final marking guide is only locked in after all exams have been assessed - and it can look quite different from the version they started with.
3. Why no one gets 100% on the whole Chemistry exam
I hate to break it to you, but I’ve never seen a student get a perfect score. Some get close, and a few might ace individual sections, but scoring 100% overall is almost impossible. The marking process is incredibly detailed, nuanced, and specific. Even fully correct answers might lose half a mark for something minor. Yes, even beyond just forgetting a unit.
But here’s the good news: the grade cut-offs shift based on how the whole cohort performs. If most students do well, the cut-offs are higher. If many struggle, they’re lower. So don’t stress about perfection. Focus on doing the best you can across the whole paper.
4. Why you should review your marked Chemistry exam
Very few students do this, but it’s worth it. Reviewing your marked exam helps you understand where you lost marks and gives you a chance to challenge anything that seems unfair.
This is especially important if you have messy handwriting. If a marker can’t read what you’ve written, they’ll check with the committee. If no one agrees on what it says, you’ll likely lose the marks. Looking over your paper after it’s returned can help you spot (and potentially fix) those cases.
Check your state or territory’s policy on post-exam reviews — not all jurisdictions allow the same level of access.
5. Avoid using red or green pens, pencils, or highlighters in the exam
Seriously, just don’t. Markers use red and green when grading. If you do too, your paper is flagged and moved into a special pile. This can mean extra scrutiny or, in rare cases, an unmarked section with a score of zero.
Play it safe. Use black or dark blue pens, or a regular pencil. Fancy colours might look fun but are frustrating to mark.
A Tutor’s Guide to Doing Well on Your Chemistry Exam:
1. Start studying early. Don’t wait for exam week
The earlier you start reviewing, the more time your brain has to absorb and recall information. Spaced repetition over several weeks will help topics stick, reduce stress, and make revision feel more manageable.
2. Write definitions and draw diagrams yourself
Your brain loves seeing your own handwriting. Combine drawing with writing for extra memory retention. Recreate helpful textbook diagrams in your notebook. Actively engaging with the material helps you remember it better than passive reading.
3. Study past exams and marking guides
If you can get access to old exams, especially those from a sibling or friend, use them. Review how questions were marked and what kinds of answers earned full marks. It’s eye-opening.
Even more valuable: think through how you’d answer each question. Compare your response to the marked one. Would yours score the same? Why or why not?
And remember, don’t over-answer. If a question is worth one mark, don’t write a paragraph. Keep your answers tight and accurate. If you include something incorrect, you may lose marks, even if the rest is right.
4. Review topics you’re already good at
Students often ignore topics they feel confident about until they blank out in the middle of the exam. Keep all areas fresh in your mind with quick reviews. You don’t need to drill everything equally, but don’t skip familiar topics entirely.
If you hit a mental block during the exam, keep going. Sometimes, later questions jog your memory. Stop completely, and you miss out on easy marks.
5. Prioritise sleep the night before the exam
Yes, it’s hard to sleep when you’re stressed, but it matters. Your brain consolidates memories during sleep. If you stay up cramming, you might forget more than you remember. Study until a reasonable hour, then rest. Your brain will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Now you know a bit more about how your Chemistry exam is marked and what you can do to prepare for it.
Here’s a quick recap:
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Be kind to your teacher. They didn’t write the exam.
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Understand how committee marking works.
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Aim to do your best, not to get 100%.
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Ask to review your exam.
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Avoid red and green pens like the plague.
Most importantly, stay calm, start early, and believe in your preparation.
If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile here on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring.
Alternatively, you can also engage other tutors on Learnmate to help you refine your Chemistry skills, boost your confidence, and receive personalised exam preparation. Whether you’re studying VCE Chemistry, HSC Chemistry, or another senior chemistry curriculum, you can connect with an expert tutor and take your understanding to the next level!
