20 Questions to Help You Revise for VCE Chemistry Exams

VCE Chemistry is one of those subjects that builds on everything you’ve learnt. From atomic structure in Unit 1 to complex organic reactions in Unit 4. But to truly excel in your VCE Chemistry exams, you need to know how to apply it all. 

To help you revise, we’ve created a free Matrix worksheet packed with practice questions covering the trickiest areas of the course and tips on how to solve them.

But before you dive into the worksheet, use this quick study guide to get clear on what to focus on.

For the full, detailed guide on the VCE Chemistry exam, read VCE Chemistry Study Guide: How to Ace Your Exam.

This VCE Chemistry study guide for Units 3 & 4 covers:

• The most difficult topics in VCE Chemistry Units 3 & 4
• Key areas to focus on for VCE Chemistry Units 3 & 4
• Sample practice questions
• VCE Chemistry Unit 4 worksheet
• How to maximise your VCE Chemistry revision

The most difficult topics in VCE Chemistry Units 3 & 4

Some Chemistry topics are consistently tricky. They’re not impossible, but they require you to combine different concepts. You also need to think logically when under pressure.

1. Organic synthesis pathways

Multi-step synthesis questions can feel like solving a chemical puzzle. You need to know your reactions and be able to link them in the right order.

• Tip: Use flowcharts to map each step, starting from the target compound and working backwards. Know your functional groups and the reactions they undergo.

2. Electrolysis and Galvanic Cells

Students often mix up the roles of electrodes and the direction of electron flow. In these questions, you’ll also need to interpret observations in practical scenarios.

• Tip: Break down each half-cell reaction. Know where oxidation happens, which way electrons flow, and how to use the electrochemical series to calculate cell potential.

3. Spectroscopy (IR, NMR, MS)

Analytical Chemistry questions are like detective work. You’ll receive spectral data and need to deduce the structure of an unknown compound.

• Tip: Start with IR to identify functional groups. Use mass spectrometry for molecular mass. Then, use NMR to piece together the structure. Annotate as you go—pattern recognition builds with practice.

4. Biomolecules and functional group reactions

These questions often combine structure, function, and reaction knowledge (especially with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates).

• Tip: Get familiar with structures and properties like amino acids and triglycerides. Remember, they are all in your Chemistry Data Book, so make sure you know your Data Book well. Know key reactions like hydrolysis and condensation, and understand how molecular structure affects properties like solubility.

5. Yield, atom economy & limiting reagents

Even strong students lose marks here by misreading the question or forgetting to find the limiting reagent.

• Tip: Always balance your equations first. Always convert values to moles, identify the limiting reagent, and practise common calculations like percentage yield and atom economy.

Need help with these VCE Chemistry exam topics?

Key areas to focus on for VCE Chemistry Units 3 & 4

To maximise your revision for VCE Chemistry exams, focus your time and effort on these high-value areas:

1. Quantitative Chemistry & stoichiometry

This underpins many SACs and exam questions. Key topics in quantitative Chemistry and stoichiometry include:

• Mole concept
• Solution concentrations
• Gas laws
• Gravimetric analysis

Always convert to moles first! 

Why it matters: If you’re fluent with these basics, you’ll be able to solve any reaction-based calculation confidently. Errors here usually come from skipping steps or unit mistakes, so always double-check your answers!

2. Redox & electrochemistry

You need to master:

• Writing half-equations
• Calculating cell potential
• Understand electrolysis conditions.

Why it matters: Redox appears in both theory and practical questions quite often. It’s usually worth a lot of marks and weight in the VCE Chemistry exams. Make sure you’re confident using the electrochemical series.

3. Organic reaction pathways

Know how to identify and connect reactions involving alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines, and more. You’ll be expected to map multi-step pathways and identify intermediates.

Why it matters: This section brings together IUPAC naming, functional group knowledge, and synthetic logic.

4. Analytical Chemistry

You’ll be tested on IR, H-NMR, MS, and chromatography. Make sure you understand what each technique reveals and how to interpret data.

Why it matters: These are real-life applications of Chemistry and frequently appear as extended-response questions. This means you’ll need to know how to answer using multiple forms of evidence.

5. Biomolecules

Includes amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Questions often involve drawing structures, identifying reactions, or linking properties to biological roles.

Why it matters: Understanding biomolecular Chemistry helps connect abstract concepts to real-world systems, which is a major theme in Unit 4.

Sample practice questions (+ quick tips)

Here are two sample questions pulled directly from the Matrix worksheet. They target common exam traps and include quick tips to guide your approach. Let’s see how you’d handle them under exam-style conditions.

Question 1

Write a full reaction pathway converting propene to propan-1-amine. Include all reagents, conditions, and intermediate products. (3 marks)

Tip: You’ll need to think about addition of HBr, substitution with ammonia, and then reduction. Don’t skip the naming!

Question 2

A galvanic cell is constructed using Fe²⁺/Fe and Cu²⁺/Cu half-cells. Write the half-equations, label the anode and cathode, and calculate the cell potential. (3 marks)

Tip: Use the standard reduction potential table. Remember oxidation happens at the anode and electrons flow to the cathode.

Get the solutions and full worksheet for free here!

Test your VCE Chemistry Unit 4 knowledge!

FREE worksheet with exam-style questions to prepare you for the VCE Chemistry exam.

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Test your VCE Chemistry Unit 4 knowledge!

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How to maximise your revision sessions for VCE Chemistry exams

Here’s how to make every study session count:

• Use real exam-style questions: Practising past questions helps you get familiar with how concepts are tested and builds your problem-solving skills. The more you practise applying your knowledge, the more confident you’ll become.
• Review expert solutions: Understand why an answer is right and why your mistake happened.
• Use visual aids: Flowcharts, reaction maps, and colour-coded diagrams are especially powerful in Chemistry. They help you visualise complex relationships, especially in topics like organic synthesis and electrochemistry.
• Space out your study: Spread your study over days or weeks. Spaced repetition strengthens memory far more than cramming the night before.
• Track your weak points: Keep a list of concepts or question types you find difficult. Revisit them regularly until you can approach them with confidence.

Matrix Chemistry students revise using this exact approach, in class and at home. Through structured lessons, practice quizzes, and expert feedback to close knowledge gaps and build exam readiness.