How to Get an ‘A’ in Chemistry: The Ultimate Guide

Are you ready for your next chem class? If you are then great, you can get started with the course right away and be confident that you’re going to succeed. But if you’re not quite sure how to get an A in chemistry, that’s okay. We’re going to talk about some of the things that you need to know.

We’ll look at information about how to pass chemistry and even a little more on a study guide for chemistry. After all, chances are you’re going to have to take at least a couple of chemistry classes, especially if you’re heading into a profession that deals with science.

For those in high school, several science classes, and specifically chemistry classes, are often required to graduate. So, let’s take a closer look at chemistry tips and tricks to help you feel more comfortable with how to learn chemistry on your own.

What is Chemistry?

First, what is chemistry? The basic definition of chemistry is the study of matter, and specifically its substances, properties, how the substances combine and separate, and other changes that they experience.

It’s all about natural laws to describe those substances and can be further broken down into a number of other types of chemistry (like organic chemistry). In general, chemistry is about understanding the world around us and the things that live in it.

But this doesn’t just refer to living things in the sense that we usually think of them. It also involves just about everything that you can perceive with any of your senses. That’s why the subject of chemistry is so vast and can seem so complex, but it doesn’t have to be.

Why Study Chemistry?

Why would you want to study chemistry? Well, there are several different reasons. For one, you may be in high school and required to take an introductory chemistry class. If that’s the case, then it’s a good idea to understand the way chemistry works and have a good foundation for it so you can do well in class.

If you’re taking this class as an elective in high school or at some point in college, it’s likely because you’re interested in the subject or even looking to enter into it as a career choice. If that’s the case, you may want to study chemistry because it interests you or you want to understand it better.

Studying chemistry is something that you can absolutely take a closer look at if you are looking for a career or even just an elective course for something fun. You can learn a great deal about the world around you, and you’re going to have some fun with the study and the labs that go along with it.

How to Study to Get an A in Chemistry?

Now, if you’re going to take this type of class, you likely want to do well in it, right? You want to make sure that you’re actually going to get a good grade. No one wants to take on a class and then find themselves struggling with it. So, what do you need to do?

Studying correctly is going to be an essential part of the process, and it all starts with recognizing what chemistry is. We’ve gone over the basic definition, but there’s definitely a more in-depth one that you should review. It’s likely at the front of your chemistry textbook and goes over a detailed analysis of what chemistry is in the world.

Next, you’ll want to make sure you have a foundational understanding of some of the concepts of chemistry. This includes things like the periodic table, formulas, extended experimental investigation, and extended response questions. Each of these is going to be common throughout chemistry, and having a little bit of an understanding of what they are will get you started.

When it comes to studying, you want to make sure you set aside enough time each day to go over the material. And yes, that really does mean each day. Even if you don’t have your chemistry class, you should take at least a few minutes to go over some of the material and see what you remember. This is even more important when you get close to exam times.

Your study methods should include options that really work for you. Don’t create flashcards just because your teacher says they’re a good idea if you don’t learn well from flashcards. Instead, come up with a study method that you feel comfortable with and then stick to it. That’s how you’re going to learn the material and actually accomplish that grade you want.

Finally, make sure that you stay focused on what you’re trying to learn when you’re trying to learn it. It’s easy to get distracted while you’re studying, but if you really want to do well, you need to keep your focus on the material that you’re going over at the time. And you definitely need to commit the information to memory in the right ways. If you mix up your chemistry formulas, it could spell disaster later on when you take the exam.

How to Prepare for Your Chemistry Exam?

Speaking of that exam, you want to make sure that you’re prepared not only for each of your class sessions but definitely for the final exams or tests that are scattered throughout the class. So, what should you be doing differently when it comes to getting ready for test day?

First, make sure you add a little extra time to your study schedule. You should be studying every day (or, at a minimum, each day you have your chemistry class), but when it gets closer to exam time, you should add extra study time. This makes sure that you can really feel comfortable with the material before you walk into the test.

Take care of yourself as well, which means making sure you’re well-rested and that you’ve eaten and drank enough during the day to feel comfortable. If you’re hungry, thirsty, or exhausted, you’re definitely not going to do well on your exam, no matter how well you knew the material the night before.

Pay attention to anything that your teacher tells you about the exam or provides you to use for the exam. If they tell you what chapters are going to be covered, then study those chapters. If they give you a study guide to review, make sure you fill it in and go over it. Take advantage of all of the help that you can possibly get and use it to your advantage.

When you walk in on test day, make sure that you pay attention to any instructions that are provided. And then, look at the exam carefully to get an idea of where you want to start. Starting with the questions that you already know and don’t need to think about is a great start. Then start working on the ones that need more time and effort. You’ll feel more confident as you work your way through if you already know you have some good answers in.

5 Tips for Chemistry Success 

When it comes to being successful in your chemistry class, the key is to know what you’re getting into before you get there. We’re going to take a look at some study tips for chemistry so you can make sure you don’t walk out of class feeling discouraged.

Accept that there will be problems.

You’re going to be doing labs in this class, and labs do not always go the way you expect them to. In fact, there are going to be labs that you and your group just plain fail at, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you keep going and keep trying. Ask questions to find out what went wrong, and then do it again until you understand how to make it work.

Understand you’re not going to learn it in one day.

Chemistry is a complex subject, and it encompasses a whole lot of different aspects. You’re not going to understand it in a single day. You’re not going to learn it in a single week. It’s going to take a lot of time and effort to understand the subject and to feel comfortable with it. If you can accept that, you’ll feel more successful.

Practice problems are crucial.

Chemistry is part science and part math. You need to make sure that you’re putting in the time and effort on those practice problems. When you’re assigned homework, make sure you do it. If you’re given a chapter to read that includes practice problems, then make sure you do them. All those problems will help you improve your grades.

Prepare for class.

Before you walk into class, make sure that you review the material that your teacher is going to focus on that day. They will generally tell you what chapters you’re going to work on in your next class period. Take the time to review the chapter before you walk in, so you feel like you have a strong foundation before the teacher starts talking.

Set aside plenty of time to study.

If you don’t set aside time that you can actively study, you’re not going to do it. And remember, you need that time set aside while you’re at your best. If you’re tired or distracted, you’re not going to get good study time in, and you’re going to struggle later on when it comes to using that information in class.

The Best Chemistry Study Guides

Are you ready to really give yourself a stronger foundation and make sure that you’re going to get a good grade in your chemistry class? Well, then you’re going to want one of these study guides that will help you along the way.

Everything You Need to Ace Chemistry in One Big Fat Notebook by Workman Publishing and Jennifer Swanson

Everything You Need to Ace Chemistry is filled with information that will help you through your high school chemistry class. Swanson offers tips on studying, mnemonics, definitions, diagrams, and even doodles to cover just about every topic you’re going to learn in your chemistry class.

You’ll go over atoms and elements, compounds and mixtures, bonding, chemical reactions, ph scales, titrations, principles, and more. Not only that, but you’ll get quizzes throughout that will help with retaining the information that’s included.

Why Choose this Chemistry Study Guide:

• Offers study tips and ideas to help you retain the information
• Details all of the essential concepts and information for high school chemistry

What Makes this Chemistry Study Guide Unique:

• Breaks the subject down into easily digestible content
• Offers visual aids as well as written content to provide information in different ways

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Chemistry Quick Study by Inc. BarCharts

For those who just need a way to look back on essential concepts, Chemistry Quick Study is precisely that. You’ll get a fold-out chart that offers the most critical information you need to know in a quick to read format.

If you want to keep the most important stuff handy without having to refer back to your textbook, then Chemistry Quick Study is the way to go. There are several panels that skip the filler content and give you the Cliff’s Notes version of everything, including problems, applications, and illustrations.

Why Choose this Chemistry Study Guide:

• Provides only the most essential information in small bites
• Offers a review of the basics for those just starting chemistry or those who need review

What Makes this Chemistry Study Guide Unique: 

• Provides different formats for the content, including illustrations and problems
• Easy to use for studying with short bits of information

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Chemistry Made Easy: An Illustrated Study Guide for Students to Easily Learn Chemistry by NEDU

With Chemistry Made Easy, you’ll get more than 300 illustrations that are designed to make learning the subject much more straightforward. NEDU created this book for visual learners to see what they need to know rather than reading a lot of intense text.

Chemistry Made Easy allows you to focus on the most critical concepts but still break them down into small pieces. You’ll learn about small pieces of matter, including the small pieces that make up everything around us.

Why Choose this Chemistry Study Guide:

• Designed for visual learners to recognize and understand the concepts
• Offers an array of information to help you get a good foundation

What Makes this Chemistry Study Guide Unique:

• Interesting to look at even for those who aren’t good at science
• Offers examples, tables, and comparisons for easy application

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Wrapping Things Up: How to Get an ‘A’ in Chemistry?

When it comes down to it, you can get an ‘A’ in Chemistry if you know where to look and you’re willing to put in the time and effort. You’ll just need to make sure that you look at the tips above, like doing plenty of practice problems, and check out a few books.

Chemistry Made Easy could help you get a good handle on the basics in a fun and more exciting way.

If you are studying for Chemistry SAT subject test, check out our guide on that here or check out our reviews if you’re looking for the best AP Chemistry review books.