An Overview of 2024 Chemistry Study Design

Everything you need to know about the 2024 VCE Chemistry Study Design

I’m Violet, a second-year medical student from MonashUniversity. I graduated in 2022 with a Raw 47 in VCE Chemistry. In this blog, I will be taking you through the new VCE Chemistry Study Design.

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In 2024, VCAA published a new Study Design for Unit 3/4 chemistry, while Unit1/2 was updated in 2023. This poses a great challenge for students sitting their VCE Chemistry exam at the end of this year due to the uncertainty brought by the update. While the sample exam is yet to be published by VCAA, I will be explaining and analyzing the changes in structure and the addition of new contents mainly based on the study design published at VCAA website. And as a past chemistry student scored 47 in 2022, I will also be giving out a few tips on studying the new study design and preparing for the exam.

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What’s unchanged

Content wise, there is no major change compared to the old study design. For Unit 3 AOS 1, fuels and energy are still the focus. In this area of study, students learn about different types of fuels and the combustion of fuels to produce energy. This is followed by redox reactions and galvanic cells, exploring design features of cells and associated redox reactions that allow the generation of electricity. In AOS 2, we move the focus to rate and extent of reaction and how these factors affect efficiency of an industrial process.

Moving on to Unit 4, we delve into organic chemistry. While appreciating the diversity of organic compounds, qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques are embedded in this area.

Throughout the study design, stoichiometric calculation is still a crucial skill that is 100% assessed in VCAA exams. It has been interweaved within multiple areas of study, such as energy calculations, Faraday’s Law calculations and yield calculations etc. Therefore, having a great understanding of conversion based on ratio and constantly practicing on this area are the key to success.

Besides, experimental design is another important aspect. In this area of study, we focus on investigation techniques and evaluation skills. The second last question in a chemistry exam is always an investigation type question, therefore it would be helpful to consolidate these skills early on in your chemistry study.

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Change in structure

In the new study design, certain area of study has been fragmented and rearranged. The whole Unit 4 AOS 2, food chemistry, from the previous syllabus has been divided up into ‘fuels for the body and calorimetry’, ‘reactions involving biomacromolecules’ as well as ‘protein-based catalysts’, and has been distributed into Unit 3 AOS1, Unit 4 AOS 1 and Unit 4 AOS 2 respectively. This presents a challenge since the fragmented contents are relatively difficult for us to form a holistic picture and to comprehend in one piece. For example, after getting an idea of biomacromolecules that are significant in maintaining life at the start of the year, we are distracted by loads of contents before we come back for the reactions of these molecules. A general tip to handle this situation is to keep track of the contents and revise as you go. You may also construct your own mind map that can be left uncompleted until you have studied the whole picture at the end of the year.

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What’s new

What most people care about is the addition of content into the new study design. The major changes for 2024 include medicinal chemistry and sustainable chemistry.

In the area of medicinal chemistry, we are exploring a variety of organic substances that can be used as medicine, and the way we isolate and purify these compounds. Also, we are looking at enzymes and their inhibition on a molecular level, which is part of the old study design and questions on these can be easily found in past VCAA papers.

In the new study design, more attention is drawn to the sustainable development of chemistry industry with green chemistry principles, echoing the United Nations sustainable development goals. While still focusing on the renewability and sustainability of fuels, we are also exploring the options for green hydrogen production, innovation of energy efficient fuel cells and sustainable production of chemicals.

Content related to sustainability and renewability is commonly tested in the very last extensive response question in past VCAA exams, where generally more than 7 marks are allocated. So, it is very important to come up with a well-structured and comprehensive response. Aside from studying specific innovations and methods, gauging a thorough understanding of concept of sustainability as well as green chemistry principles is crucial.

There are a few other minor new contents been added, including a more detailed study on photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the first area of study, as well as some laboratory and instrumental analytical techniques. The changes seem overwhelming, but gauging a good and thorough understanding is always the key.

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Changes in data book

Alongside the new study design, an updated version of data book is available on VCAA website. Compared to the older version, it is more detailed and more ‘helpful’. A table of formula and charges of important ions as well as a solubility table are included to take off some burden in memorizing. Also, some related UN sustainability development goals as well as green chemistry principles are included to aid the understanding in sustainability. You are encouraged to get yourself familiar with the data book before your exam.

As a student who sat biology exam on the first year of study design update, I totally understand how challenging it is to study while there is a lack of material and past exam papers. Many students are overwhelmed since they have no idea what the questions will look like and how the questions are marked. Adjusting to a positive mindset is the first step. Instead of being trapped in panic, think that all students who will be sitting chemistry exam in 2024 are in exactly the same situation as you. No one has access to new content related questions in past papers. Given the exam is a ranking test, you are NOT disadvantaged at all. On a more practical ground, it would be helpful to practice on the sample exam when it gets published and analyze the mark allocations. Overall, embrace the uncertainty and develop a comprehensive understanding of new concepts, you are already halfway to success.
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