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So I got my Chemistry test paper back today. Like I said, I wasn't expecting anything. Mr Lim thought it was a good idea to put our test papers in our Australian Science competition question paper together with our certs. A bit lame, but at least that gave me a chance to slowly reveal my marks on the test paper. I got distinction for the ASC, by the way. "Top 97 percentile in your country." I suppose that's good, butt he ASC never meant anything anyway. Only ACE.
I wanted to slowly shift the cover of the question paper away from the page with my marks, but I couldn't wait. I just opened it. And there it was- Thirty Three and a Half. Upon 45. I quickly used my calculator. 74.4%. Aargh. It was just 0.6% (or 0.25 marks!!!) short of an A1, but I was already very relieved. I didn't fail. I didn't get a C or a B. Phew.
Although I was pretty pleased that I finally didn't do that badly, I slowly started to regret that I didn't get A1. But what made it worse was that looking through the paper, I realised that I practically threw my A1 grade away for this test. I made 3 very stupid mistakes, and that meant 3.5 marks gone. Here're the mistakes.
Mistake 1: There was a two mark question asking you to give a name of a gaseous hydrocarbon, and the formula of it. I put ethane and C2H6. But I got it wrong. I was wondering why my answer was marked as wrong when I realised- I actually put the name in the blank for the formula and I put the formula in the blank for the name! Aargh!!! 2 marks gone, just like that. Sigh...
Mistake 2: There was a question where I was required to write out the two equations for the propogation steps of free radical substitution of an alkane. I wrote the two correct equations, but I put the second one above the first one. Minus 0.5 marks. Sigh...
Mistake 3: There was a question asking us to 'write' out the full structural formula of some compound with a Nitrogen atom. I remember feeling very proud of myself after the test, because I remembered to draw the triple bond between Nitrogen and Carbon, something which many forgot, 'cos the question showed the compound as containing CN , without the bond. So I did draw the triple bond, but guess what? I actually added an extra H to the carbon atom. What the heck! I didn't check my answers properly. Another mark gone...
There were one or two other careless mistakes, but no point mentioning them here- I think I've made my point. I threw my A1 away.
Well, at least this time my MCQ didn't fare as badly. 8/10. I should've gotten 10/10, but 8's definitely an improvement over 3.
Oh well, I'm still very glad that my Chem's not going downhill. First A1, then B4, then C5, but now it's A2. I've finally broken out of the vicious cycle. Next target- 80+ for the Chem exam!!!
hyperxi's life @
9/20/2005 03:44:00 pm
