A Level Chemistry Tutor Switzerland
Revising for A-Level Chemistry can feel like an uphill battle. The subject demands not just memory but also deep understanding, problem-solving, and sharp exam technique. In 2022, only 13.6% of students in England achieved an A*, with many struggling to balance the volume of content with exam pressure.
But here’s the good news: you can make revision manageable and effective with the right strategy. Below, I’ve outlined proven methods my students have used to consistently raise their grades — often by 2–3 levels.
Step 1: Master the Content Thoroughly
Chemistry is detail-heavy. You need a solid foundation before you can apply knowledge in problem-solving.
• Don’t rely on the textbook alone — some “hidden” subtopics (like obscure reaction mechanisms or practical techniques) appear in exams but get only a passing mention in books.
• Check your specification line by line. Treat it like your revision Bible. Tick off every topic and subtopic.
🔑 Tip from my students: When you finish a chapter, go back to the spec and ask yourself: “Could I explain this point out loud without notes?” If not, review it.
Step 2: Revise Actively, Not Passively
The biggest mistake students make is re-reading or highlighting. Chemistry needs active recall:
• Flashcards – Perfect for definitions, equations, and reagents/conditions. I recommend making your own because writing helps memory.
• Blurting – Cover your notes and write everything you can recall on a blank page. Then compare. The gaps show you what to focus on.
• Teaching someone else – Even explaining aloud to yourself works. If you can’t explain bonding in Giant Covalent structures in simple words, you don’t fully understand it.
Step 3: Balance Your Revision With a Plan
Don’t “cram” randomly. Create a structured timetable:
1. Phase 1 (Content Learning) – Work through each topic, making flashcards and notes.
2. Phase 2 (Topical Questions) – Drill exam questions on one area at a time (e.g., only Thermodynamics or Organic Synthesis).
3. Phase 3 (Mixed Practice) – Start doing full past papers under timed conditions.
4. Phase 4 (Refinement) – Revisit your mistakes list and focus on weak areas.
By rotating through phases, you avoid burnout and make sure no area is left behind.
Step 4: Practice Questions — the Non-Negotiable
Chemistry exams are as much about technique as knowledge.
• Begin with topic-based practice. For example, attempt 10–15 exam questions only on redox after learning redox.
• As mocks and finals approach, move to full exam papers.
• Always check the mark scheme. Chemistry mark schemes are precise — they want keywords, not vague answers.
📌 Save the most recent paper (2023 for most boards) for your final mock before the exam. It’s your closest rehearsal to the real thing.
Step 5: Specific Focus Areas
Organic Chemistry
This is where students often lose marks.
• Reagents & Conditions: Make a big reaction map, linking functional groups. Drill until it’s second nature.
• Isomers & Naming: Practice daily — small mistakes here cost marks.
• Spectroscopy (NMR/IR/MS): Approach it like puzzles. Start with simpler spectra before tackling the multi-step analysis.
Physical Chemistry
• Pay special attention to calculation-heavy topics: enthalpy, equilibrium constants, and electrochemistry.
• Learn formulas with units — examiners love to deduct marks for missing units.
• Practice graph interpretation (reaction rates, titration curves, Arrhenius plots).
Inorganic Chemistry
• Revise trends in the Periodic Table (Group 2, Group 7, Period 3). These often appear as 6-mark questions requiring both knowledge and explanation.
• Learn colour changes for transition metals — they’re common in Paper 3/practicals.
Step 6: Don’t Neglect the Maths
Roughly 20% of marks in A-Level Chemistry are maths-based. Students often underestimate this.
• Practice mole calculations, titration, gas laws, entropy, pH, and logarithms.
• Show full working — you can earn method marks even if the final answer is wrong.
Step 7: Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Focusing only on topics you like
❌ Copying notes without testing yourself
❌ Ignoring practical techniques (e.g., titration steps, use of indicators, error analysis)
❌ Forgetting command words like “explain” vs. “state” — they change how marks are awarded
❌ Leaving Organic Chemistry too late (it needs long-term practice)
Step 8: Keep Revising in Cycles
Chemistry revision isn’t “one and done.” The trick is spaced repetition:
• Revisit old topics weekly.
• Keep updating your flashcards with new mistakes.
• Rotate topics so everything stays fresh.
Step 9: Exam Technique Matters
Each paper type requires a slightly different approach:
• MCQs (if your board has them) – Watch out for distractors. Eliminate wrong answers quickly.
• Structured questions – Use keywords from the spec; don’t waffle.
• Practical/experimental questions – Learn the standard wording (“improve reliability by repeating and averaging”, “reduce random error by using more precise equipment”). Examiners reward these phrases.
My Experience Tutoring A-Level Chemistry
I’ve tutored A-Level Chemistry for 18 years, working across all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Cambridge International).
• Students who start early often improve by 2–3 grades. They gain confidence, structure, and clarity.
• Students who begin closer to exams may not make the same leap but still see progress — often moving from panic to confidence.
My teaching is flexible and student-centred:
• Confident with content? We’ll focus on past papers.
• Stuck on tricky topics? I’ll break them down step by step.
• Need teaching from the ground up? I’ll cover the content, then reinforce it with exam practice.
Many of my students are based in Switzerland — particularly in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel — but I also work with learners across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the US. No matter where you are, my goal is to make Chemistry clear, manageable, and less stressful.
✨ So whether you’re preparing for A-Level Chemistry Tutor in Switzerland or elsewhere, I’d love to help make revision less stressful and more effective — so you walk into the exam room confident and ready.
The Ultimate Guide to Chemistry Tutoring and Academic Success.
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Contact Me for Free Consultation
Kindly submit the form for a free 30-minute consultation. You may provide relevant details such as the curriculum you follow, your or your child’s academic struggles, etc. Alternatively, you may also send me an email at rose@onlinechemistrytutorrose.com