Sorry to make you cringe with your own slang…
Just wanted to check in because GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 is tomorrow! We know by now that the difference between a decent grade and a great one often comes down to how you answer, not just what you know.
Below are some tips to help you today and tomorrow, along with some useful links for revision resources, both free and paid!
🧮 1. Show Full Working in Calculations
Always write every step:
State the formula
Rearrange it (if needed)
Plug in values with correct units
Check your answer is to the correct significant figures or decimal places as specified in the question and your answer is in the units the question requires. If no units are given make sure you include these in your answer
For example, always convert cm³ to dm³ if the formula needs it. Don’t throw away marks on the easy stuff.
🧪 2. Be Specific in Practical Questions
You’ll often be asked to describe a method - get technical and precise:
Name equipment properly (measuring cylinder, not just "tube")
Use quantities, concentrations, and specific reactants
Explain how data is collected, repeated, and why
Make sure it is clear what the dependent, independent and control variables are when writing the method
Tip: “Add acid to alkali” isn’t enough. Say: “Add 25.0 cm³ of hydrochloric acid using a pipette to a conical flask.”
🧠 3. Use the Right Scientific Language
Avoid vague phrases. Instead of:
❌ “It reacts quicker”
Say:
✅ “There are more frequent successful collisions, increasing the rate of reaction.”
That’s the kind of language examiners reward.
🎓 Join Your Night-Before Live Session For Some Last Minute Support
Get a calm, focused 30-minute walkthrough for your exam board, with last-minute reminders and exam tips you can use straight away.
📅 Sunday 18th May – Paper 1 Masterclasses
🧪 OCR Gateway – 4:30–5:00pm
🧪 Edexcel & Edexcel iGCSE – 5:30–6:00pm
🧪 AQA – 6:00–6:30pm
🎟️ Access all sessions through our Masterclass platform on a one month subscription for predicted papers, walkthroughs, these live sessions and other bits:
👉 Join Here
🧾 Final Resources to Use Tonight
📄 Download Predicted Papers AND
▶️ YouTube Playlists by Board:
Use tonight to refine your skills, not cram. It’s so important you keep it sensible!
You’ve put in the work: now it’s time to show it.
Hopefully see you at your session! 👩🔬👨🔬
– The Primrose Kitten Team 🐾