Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 VCE Chemistry Study Design
I’m Violet, a second-year medical student from Monash University. I graduated in 2022 with a Raw 47 in VCE Chemistry. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the new 2024 VCE Chemistry Study Design and share exam preparation tips to help you succeed in the VCE Chemistry Exam.
In 2024, VCAA released a new Chemistry Study Design for Units 3/4, while Unit 1/2 was updated in 2023. This brings challenges for students sitting the VCE Chemistry Exam 2024, since the update creates uncertainty in exam preparation. While the official sample exam is not yet available, I’ll explain the main changes to the study design and highlight strategies for mastering the new content. As someone who achieved a Raw 47, I’ll also share practical tips on how to approach the new design and prepare effectively for the exam.
What’s Unchanged in the VCE Chemistry Study Design
Content-wise, there are no major changes compared to the old study design:
- Unit 3 AOS 1: Fuels and energy remain the focus, including types of fuels, combustion, redox reactions, and galvanic cells.
- Unit 3 AOS 2: Reaction rates and equilibrium, with an emphasis on factors that influence industrial efficiency.
- Unit 4: Organic chemistry, exploring compounds and both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques.
Stoichiometric calculations remain a crucial skill, consistently assessed in VCAA Chemistry exams. These appear across energy calculations, Faraday’s Law, and yield calculations. Regular practice is key.
Experimental design also continues to be significant, particularly for the investigation-style question near the end of the exam. Building these skills early will give you a strong advantage.
Changes in Structure for the 2024 VCE Chemistry Exam
In the new 2024 study design, certain topics have been fragmented and rearranged:
- Food Chemistry (old Unit 4 AOS 2) has now been split across multiple areas:
- Fuels for the body and calorimetry → Unit 3 AOS 1
- Reactions involving biomacromolecules → Unit 4 AOS 1
- Protein-based catalysts → Unit 4 AOS 2
This fragmentation makes it harder to see the “big picture.” A useful strategy is to create a running mind map and update it throughout the year to consolidate fragmented content.
What’s New in the 2024 VCE Chemistry Study Design
The biggest changes in the 2024 VCE Chemistry Study Design are the introduction of:
- Medicinal Chemistry: Focus on organic compounds used as medicines, methods of isolation and purification, and enzyme inhibition.
- Sustainable Chemistry: Emphasis on green chemistry principles, renewable fuels, hydrogen production, and sustainable chemical processes.
These topics align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and are likely to feature in extended response questions worth 7+ marks. To prepare, aim for a well-structured and comprehensive written response.
Other new content includes:
- More detailed study of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
- Laboratory and instrumental analytical techniques
Although the changes may feel overwhelming, a thorough understanding of concepts is always the key to success.
Updated Data Book for VCE Chemistry 2024
Alongside the study design update, VCAA has released a new Chemistry Data Book. It now includes:
- A table of formulas and ion charges
- A solubility table
- Green chemistry principles and related sustainability goals
Familiarise yourself with the data book early. It can significantly reduce the need for memorisation and improve your exam performance.
Tips for Tackling the New VCE Chemistry Exam
Studying with a new study design can be stressful—especially with no past exams that reflect the changes. Here are some strategies:
- Stay positive: Remember that every student faces the same uncertainty.
- Use sample exams: When released, analyse mark allocations and question styles.
- Focus on understanding: Instead of rote memorisation, aim for conceptual mastery.
By building confidence in the new VCE Chemistry Study Design 2024, you’ll be well-prepared to face the VCE Chemistry Exam.