What’s on the Chemistry Regents Exam?
The Chemistry Regents Exam features eleven different topics within the field of chemistry:
Mathematics fundamentals
The periodic table
Atoms
Acids, bases, and salts
Moles and stoichiometry
Chemical bonding
Kinetics and equilibrium
Oxidation-reduction
The physical behavior of matter
Organic chemistry
Nuclear chemistry
The exam itself is three hours long and tests students’ chemistry knowledge in three separate parts, which are made up roughly as follows:
Part A contains multiple-choice questions. For each question, you are given a selection of answers, and you must choose the best answer. This section tests students’ basic chemistry knowledge.
Part B is made up of multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. They are deeper than the questions in Part A, requiring students to analyze situations and apply their chemistry knowledge. Constructed-response questions ask students to write out their answers as well as draw or interpret graphs and make calculations.
Part C comprises extended constructed-response questions. This part of the Regents exam expects complete sentences and most deeply tests students’ knowledge and skills in chemistry.
Guide to Studying for the Chemistry Regents Exam
Chemistry isn’t easy, and neither is the Chemistry Regents Exam. But don’t fret—we have some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your study time.
1. Organize your notes. You’ll need all the class material you can access to prepare for the Chem Regents. Rewrite notes that are unclear (also a good way to review!) and filter out unnecessary info.
2. Study your old tests. Looking at previous chemistry tests you’ve taken can show you where you need to improve. If you have the answer key, you can also make notes of the answers.
3. Hire a Chemistry Regents prep tutor. It’s easy to prepare at home with a one-on-one private chemistry tutor. He or she can narrow in on your weak spots and help you overcome the challenges you’re facing by tailoring lessons to specifically fit your needs.
4. Pace yourself. Start well in advance and just study a bit at a time. You need time to internalize the material, and you need time to rest, relax, and sleep the night before the Chemistry Regents Exam.
5. Don’t waste your time. If you already know certain sections by heart, don’t waste your time studying them. Focus on the parts you’re struggling with.
6. Look at the reference tables. The Chemistry Regents Exam includes reference tables, so you don’t need to memorize material that will appear on them. This allows you to more effectively divide up your study time among other topics.
7. Keep the info fresh in your mind. If there’s a part you’re struggling with, read your notes when you wake up and then again before you go to bed. By reading the information in intervals like this, you ensure your brain keeps working away at it in the background.
8. Ask for help. Chemistry is hard. If there are concepts you find particularly difficult, don’t be shy about asking your chemistry teacher or a professional chemistry tutor to help you. Search out a good tutor plenty of time before the Chemistry Regents Exam for the most benefit.
Ace the Regents!
Taking the Chemistry Regents Exam is a daunting task, but if you follow the study tips listed above, you can make the process much smoother and give yourself a higher chance of success. The best way to prep for any Regents test is to hire a private tutor, who can individualize a lesson plan to create the most effective and enjoyable study plan for you. With these tips and a qualified tutor, you’re on the path to success.