QCE Chemistry study plan
QCE Chemistry · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Chemical fundamentals: structure, properties and reactions
Draw Lewis structures and predict VSEPR shapes for at least 20 common molecules and ions
Classify bonding as ionic, covalent or metallic and justify each classification using electronegativity differences
Explain how intermolecular forces arise from molecular polarity and shape
Write balanced equations for combustion, precipitation and neutralisation reactions
Your checkpoint
A one-page summary sheet mapping 20 molecules to their shape, polarity and dominant intermolecular force, checked against worked examples
Chemical fundamentals: structure, properties and reactions & Molecular interactions and reactions
Relate melting point, boiling point and solubility trends to structure and bonding type
Apply collision theory to explain how temperature, concentration and surface area affect reaction rate
Calculate enthalpy changes from bond energies and from calorimetry data
Distinguish exothermic from endothermic processes using energy profile diagrams
Your checkpoint
A set of 10 fully worked calculation problems on enthalpy and rates, each with units and a one-sentence justification of the method
Molecular interactions and reactions
Predict the effect of catalysts on activation energy and reaction rate using energy profiles
Explain how the nature of reactants and catalysts influence reaction pathways
Interpret simple reaction energy diagrams to identify activated complexes
Compare the strength of dispersion, dipole-dipole and hydrogen bonding interactions in given substances
Your checkpoint
A comparative table ranking six substances by boiling point, with a written explanation of the forces responsible for each ranking
Equilibrium, acids and redox reactions
Write equilibrium constant expressions and calculate Kc from equilibrium concentrations
Apply Le Chatelier's principle to predict shifts caused by concentration, pressure and temperature changes
Distinguish strong from weak acids and calculate pH of strong acid and base solutions
Set up and solve ICE tables for simple equilibrium systems
Your checkpoint
A timed 45-minute practice set of 8 equilibrium and pH problems with a self-marked score and list of error types
Equilibrium, acids and redox reactions
Perform titration calculations to determine unknown concentrations
Identify conjugate acid-base pairs and explain buffer action qualitatively
Assign oxidation numbers and identify oxidising and reducing agents in redox reactions
Balance redox half-equations in acidic solution and combine them into full equations
Your checkpoint
A worked titration and redox problem set of 10 items, each annotated with the stoichiometric reasoning used
Equilibrium, acids and redox reactions & Structure, synthesis and design
Construct galvanic cell diagrams and predict cell potentials from standard reduction data
Explain the role of functional groups in determining the reactivity of organic molecules
Distinguish addition, substitution and condensation reactions with example equations
Relate the structure of polymers and materials to their properties
Your checkpoint
A concept map linking functional groups to reaction types and to at least three real-world materials or products
Structure, synthesis and design
Design a multi-step synthesis pathway for a target molecule from given starting materials
Justify choices of reagents and reaction conditions using yield, safety and selectivity
Evaluate competing synthetic routes against criteria such as atom economy and waste
Describe how chemical design addresses a real-world problem such as a drug or a sustainable material
Your checkpoint
A written synthesis proposal of about 300 words proposing two routes to one target molecule and recommending one with justified criteria
Chemical fundamentals: structure, properties and reactions & Molecular interactions and reactions & Equilibrium, acids and redox reactions & Structure, synthesis and design
Complete a full-length practice paper under timed conditions
Identify the three weakest syllabus points from marked practice and revise them
Summarise each domain's key equations and definitions onto a single revision sheet
Practise extended-response answers using correct chemical terminology and units
Your checkpoint
A completed timed practice paper with a marked score, an error log, and a final one-page equation and definition sheet covering all four domains
Milestones
Week 2: Can draw correct Lewis structures and predict shapes for 15 of 20 molecules without notes, and correctly calculate enthalpy change in 8 of 10 problems
Week 4: Scores at least 70% on the timed equilibrium and pH set and can explain each Le Chatelier shift in writing
Week 6: Balances five redox equations correctly and correctly matches at least six functional groups to their characteristic reactions
Week 8: Achieves at least 75% on the full timed practice paper and has a written error log covering every incorrect item