Paper 1 of Chemistry has two major branches: Physical Chemistry and Inorganic
Chemistry. These two branches are simple as well as scoring.
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The syllabus does
not clearly define Section A and Section B in Paper 1. However, in the main
examination question paper Section A invariably contains three questions
including compulsory from Physical Chemistry. There is usually one question from
Inorganic Chemistry.
The first two topics, Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding, are
conceptual and should be prepared from standard sources. Even though these
portions can give you direct questions as well, their importance will be felt in
many other sections of the course.
In Solid State Chemistry, you need to prepare separately for numerical
and theoretical problems. Gaseous State is a newly added section in Paper
1 and the best thing about this section is that it has a simple mathematical
base. Prepare it adequately from a good book and it is bound to be rewarding.
In Thermodynamics, be careful to maintain an orientation of Chemistry.
There is a common tendency among engineers to treat the questions too
mathematically. But in Chemistry, you have to treat heat change along with
chemical change. For a good score, your derivations must be standard, i.e. as
covered in books like S Glasstone's. You can be somewhat selective in
Thermodynamics section, based on past trends. Statistical Thermodynamics
is a newly-added part, and it is quite scoring. The section on Phase
Equilibria needs good writing practice besides command over numerical
problems. The emphasis in electrochemistry should be on numerical
problems, as they are relatively easy and make the paper scoring.
Chemical Kinetics and Photochemistry are, once again, predominantly
numerical-based areas. So practice will be the key to handle these sections
well. Photochemistry is especially important; it has been giving numerical
problems of at least 30 marks every year.
Coordination chemistry is a large topic, covering nearly two full-length
questions. Students are advised to cover this section thoroughly. The topic of
Bio-Inorganic Chemistry requires some good material collection. Bob
Buchanan's book on Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry will be a useful
source.
Rest of the topics in Paper 1 should be covered selectively, provided you have
covered the preceding parts well.
Paper 2
Paper 2 comprises completely of Organic Chemistry. In the new scheme of
the syllabus, it's a highly scoring paper due to several factors: mathematical
orientation, straight factual queries, objective nature of most of the question,
no dearth of quality material and emphasis on reaction mechanisms.
The student, while preparing for Paper 2, is required to keep the following
things in mind:
Your approach has to be simple, standard and to the point;
you require to practice the numerical problems rigorously and you must
have a clear knowledge of reaction mechanisms, as the questions are
increasingly being asked straight and factual.
In Pericyclic Reaction section, a greater emphasis has to be on diagrams
rather than on theoretical explanation and practice name reactions
thoroughly from standard sources.
The orientation of orbitals and molecular orbital diagrams are
necessary.
In re-agent section also, your approach has to be completely factual.