How to ACE IB Chemistry HL?

IB Chemistry HL requires students to be proficient in not only the content but also the math and calculations. A lot of students struggle to get 5 and 6’s, let alone a 7! However, once you understand how to approach this subject, getting a 7 is easy.

IB Chemistry has two main parts, the exam and the IA. This article will cover tips for both!

Table Of Contents:

• How To Prepare For IB Chemistry HL?
• What Are The Best Resources For IB Chemistry HL?
• What Is The Best Way To Study For Chemistry HL?
• How To Ace The IA?
• Conclusion
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How To Prepare For IB Chemistry HL?

If you want to effectively prepare for Chemistry, you must create a study plan.

The plan should:

• Target all 10 topics (SL and HL components), prioritizing weaker topics.
• Include the subtopics you plan to study, not just the topic name.
• Space out all the topics, and ensure you revisit past topics to reconsolidate the knowledge

A mistake a lot of students make is targeting all the topics equally, rather than prioritising weaker topics. You should focus more on the topics you are not confident in, and then work your way towards your stronger topics.

What Are The Best Resources For IB Chemistry HL?

There are so many resources for any IB subject, but especially Chemistry due to its popularity. I will split this section into two parts, video and text resources, and explain how to use each one to maximise the outcome.

1. Videos

The two main IB Chemistry YouTubers are:

• MSJ Chem
• Richard Thornley

Both of them have videos on the whole of the IB Chemistry syllabus. But just because you watch the videos doesn’t mean you will become a chemistry whizz all of a sudden. You must effectively use these videos:

1. Write notes in your own words as you watch the videos

Writing down content is the best way to learn and memorise content. But writing them in your own words will ensure your brain is actively engaged with the content in the video and that you are not just going through the motions of writing.

2. Draw diagrams/pictures

Another good way is to draw your own diagrams, and then annotate the diagram by labelling they key components. Under each ‘key component’, write down relevant notes about it. For example, draw two Cl­₂ molecules and label the bond between them, writing down the key words that will ensure you tick all boxes on the mark scheme.

2. Text Resources

The main text resources I used were:

• Pearson IB Chemistry textbook
• Pearson IB Chemistry Study guide
• Ibalchemy.com

All 3 of these resources have all the information you need to get a 7. However, the textbook does have extra information that isn’t assessed in the course, hence you have to be wary off overstudying. One way to avoid this is to combine resources, by using a video resource and the textbook.

The study guide and iblachemy.com have very condensed notes and I only recommend using them after you are confident with the content.

Personally, I would watch MSJ Chemistry videos before my classes and then used the textbook in class to consolidate knowledge. However, experiment and find out what works for you.

What Is The Best Way To Study For Chemistry HL?

1. I recommend watching MSJ Chem or Richard Thornley the night before you have any chemistry lessons to learn the content beforehand. And by ‘watch’ I mean write notes, draw diagrams… everything that was said beforehand.
2. In class, use the textbook and your teacher to consolidate the knowledge you already learned the night before. This not only ensures you are ahead of content, but also allows you to follow along in class without wasting time.
3. After your chem lesson or at the end of the week:
   1. Revisit the subtopics you aren’t 100% sure on
   2. Revisit past content to consolidate knowledge
   3. Create mind maps of what you have learned that week

For more exam specific study methods be sure to check out our article on how to study for IB Mock Exams.

Preparing for Mock and Final Exam

The best way to improve your Chemistry skills is by doing past papers. However, you should only ever do these after you are confident with all the content, and before mocks and the time before your final exam. If you use it too early on, your resource is wasted.

But more expressly:

• Do a Paper 1 (MC) and study the subtopics for the questions you get wrong.
• This is by far the best way to increase your knowledge in Chemistry as you are exposed to all topics and can easily see where you are weak in
• Also rewrite the mark scheme answers if you get the question wrong, and make a excel or word document containing all of the key words and phrases on the  mark scheme

How To Ace The IA?

This was left for last as the exams are much more important. However, the last 20% from the IA can be the difference between a 6 and a 7.

If you follow the steps as shown in the pyramid above and optimise for each one, there is no reason why you cannot maximise that final 20%!

Conclusion

And that’s how you can get a 7 in Chem HL!

Remember, even with all these techniques and tips, your success will always come down to how much work you want to put in! So, try your hardest, and you will see the results pay off.

After more IB Chemistry HL resources? Check these out!👇

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