HSC Chemistry State Rankers, when did you guys start studying chemistry and how did you study? I go to two chemistry tutoring currently. I am in year 10 this year and I'm currently up to Module 3 through self-study. I really love chemistry and I have done some of Module 7 already. Also, what is the hardest module in prelin chem?
2025 Graduate here. I haven't received marks for chem HSC yet, but I got 95/100 on trials, so hopefully close to a state rank. Nontheless, I always had passion for physics and chemistry from year 5 or so. I remember reading Neal Degrass' books on astrophysics in year 6 and encountering quarks. That's kinda just what sparked my interest, but I never studied the Yr 11 or 12 syllabus specifically, more just passion projects and other things that I was interested in.
For me, most of Yr 11 chemistry was pretty easy. The only thing conceptually difficult is Schrodinger's model of the atom, but you don't need to understand it too much apart from just SPDF notation. If you are strong with maths, Mod 2,3 and 4 will suit you well. In terms of what is the most difficult though, Mod 1 and Mod 3 are pretty much just year 10 science rehashed and Mod 2 and 4 just require some pretty good maths skills.
I'm not sure when the kids who get 96,97,98+ ... do, but just keep enjoying chemistry. If you just learn only the syllabus you'll certainly get good results, but at times it gets really boring. Go beyond the syllabus and learn more if you really like chem.
also mastering collision theory q from module 3 will be very helpful for mod5.