Recommended books for H1 Chemistry?

Dizzyday SG

Hi all,

I'll be taking H1 Chemistry A levels as a private candidate next year. Please recommend me any useful guidebook(s) and assesment book(s).

Regards

UltimaOnline SG

For H1 Chemistry, just get CS Toh's 'A' level study guide, CS Toh's 'A' level Practice Qns (essential a TYS with worked solutions) and/or David Bevan's International 'A' Level for CIE (Cambridge International Exams) Chemistry Revision Guide.

H2 Chemistry students aiming to do Chemistry-based courses in the University (eg. Medicine, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, etc) may also wish to obtain some of the following University-level textbooks :

http://infinity.usanethosting.com/Tuition/#Books_for_H2_Chemistry

Dizzyday SG

Hi ultimaonline. Thanks for your prompt reply. Should i get CS Toh's H1 or H2 Chem guidebook?

Thanks

UltimaOnline SG

Hi ultimaonline. Thanks for your prompt reply. Should i get CS Toh's H1 or H2 Chem guidebook?

Thanks

Since you're taking H1 Chem, if you can find CS Toh's H1 Chem guidebook, by all means get it. But due to low demand, you may only be able to obtain the H2 Chem guidebook, which is fine as well. Just ignore the H2-only topics.

Dizzyday SG

Hi ultimaonline. Once again, thanks for your reply. Does TYS for H1 Chem exist or do i get TYS for H2 Chem and do only the questions which are applicable to the H1 Syllabus?

Thanks

UltimaOnline SG

Hi ultimaonline. Once again, thanks for your reply. Does TYS for H1 Chem exist or do i get TYS for H2 Chem and do only the questions which are applicable to the H1 Syllabus?

Thanks

H1 books are like the mythical Loch Ness monster or extraterrestrial UFOs : you hear rumours about them but it's terribly hard to actually get your hands on one.

Officially, H1 TYS do exist, but every year publishers print very few copies due to low demand. As a result, you may not be able to find a H1 TYS, and may have to rely on a H2 TYS.

Dizzyday SG

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic but how is the H2 Physics guidebook by CS Toh?

Thanks

UltimaOnline SG

One more thing : registration is still open, you can still change your subjects. Why don't you consider registering for H2 Chem instead (with Practical Exam option, instead of SPA if you think you screwed up your SPA results last year), because H1 Chem is useless for use as prerequisites when applying for Uni (NUS or NTU) Science courses.

Dizzyday SG

Hi ultimaonline, I'm not interested in any science-related courses in the university as i plan to study accountancy or Economics.

UltimaOnline SG

If you're sure you're not gonna take science-related courses in the Uni, then it would indeed make better sense to take science as H1 (due to a gentler bell-curve for H1, easier to score distinction).

Dizzyday SG

Difficulty-wise, H1 and H2 Chem are the same right?

UltimaOnline SG

Difficulty-wise, H1 and H2 Chem are the same right?

Question-wise yes same difficulty, just less content / topics for H1, and a gentler bell-curve (and hence easier to score distinction for H1 than H2).

Dizzyday SG

Ok once again, i can't thank you enough ultimaonline. I really really appreciate your time spent answering my questions.

Thank You

UltimaOnline SG

No problem. Remember to feel free to post your H1 Chem qns here on the forum anytime!

SBS n SMRT SG

http://infinity.usanethosting.com/Tuition/#Books_for_H2_Chemistry

Thanks for your recommendation :) I brought it and some of the parts are really identical to my lecture notes :) (Copying ?).

Btw, school candidates are required to take SPA right, cannot choose practical exam right? (Cause I am confused of your previous post)

Dizzyday SG

Hi ultimaonline,

I've come across an "Advanced Study Guide" book by CS Toh. Is his A level study guide sufficient or should i get the Advanced Study Guide instead?

I managed to contact Ecogreen Technology (one of the distributors of Step-By-Step books by CS Toh) and they can deliver the books to me tommorow.

Regards

Dizzyday SG

Hi, i've both the Chris Hughes and Thomas Bonds H2 Physics guidebook as well as CS Toh's H2 Physics guidebook. In my opinion, CS Toh's guidebook seems more detailed and more relevant to the Singapore A levels.

SBS n SMRT SG

yes, i am taking my a levels this year, hope for the chemistry paper to be easier (last year is sheer killer)

To TS:

Btw, for the advanced guide, it is too high level, for one section on proteins, NADPH formation is also illustrated (which even H2 Biology or H3 Biology students is not expected to know)

UltimaOnline SG

You misunderstood my statement. I'm suggesting that when you meet Peter Soh (the man who will go to your house to sell you CS Toh's book), ask him about Chris Hughes and Thomas Bond, and he will share with you an interesting story.

Dizzyday SG

Hi ultimaonline, actually Mr Soh came to deliver the books to my house just before i made my previous post. What's the interesting story he shared with you?