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Christ’s College
Canterbury
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This NCEA course offers the students a total of 20
credits, of which 8 credits are internally assessed
papers, and 12 are assessed through external
examinations in November.
The three external examinations come from
both Chemistry and Science areas. Sitting two
Chemistry examinations in the three hours
allocated will give students more opportunity to
excel. The remaining examination paper will be
sat during the Science three-hour examination
timeslot which takes place on a different day. This
means that for boys doing any of the specialist
science subjects, they will be sitting external
papers on at least two of the examination days in
November.
YEAR 12
Status
Optional
Prerequisites
Year 11 Chemistry/Science
Periods per week
Five
Description
The Year 12 course includes study of the
underlying principles in the behaviour of many
common substances, solutions, solids, energy,
oxidation-reduction reactions, analytical work and
organic chemistry. Patterns of behaviour and the
understanding of principles are emphasised to a
greater extent than recall of knowledge.
Students take on a greater role in chemical
investigations in this course, with the introduction
of specialist laboratory equipment and practical
based assessment tasks. Students will learn a
variety of techniques for measuring and testing
chemical substances to develop a holistic
understanding of chemical systems at a deeper
level. Practical demonstrations and experiments
are explored on a frequent basis throughout the
course.
Students with a leaning towards practical and
descriptive science can do well at this level, with
skills in Mathematics being an added advantage.
To attempt the Year 12 course, a reasonable
performance in Year 11 NCEA Chemistry is
preferred. Students who have done well in Year
11 NCEA Science may study Year 12 Chemistry
provided they have achieved AS 90944. These
students may find the transition to the Year 12
course challenging and should consult the HOD
of Chemistry prior to the end of Year 11. Some
students terminate their study at this point.
However, as most are keeping career options
open, it is likely that the majority will carry on with
Chemistry in Year 13.
Assessment
Students will complete three internal
achievement standards. The three internal
achievement standards count for 10 of the
available 23 credits in chemistry.
The course achievement standards are:
AS 91161
Carry out quantitative analysis. (4 credits - internal)
AS 91162
Carry out procedures to identify ions present in
solution. (3 credits - internal)
AS 91164
Demonstrate understanding of bonding, structure
and energy changes. (5 credits - external)
AS 91165
Demonstrate understanding of the properties of
selected organic compounds. (4 credits - external)
AS 91166
Demonstrate understanding of chemical reactivity.
(4 credits - external)
AS 91167
Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-
reduction. (3 credits – internal)
Additional topics are contained in the Year 12
course to maintain greater consistency and
extension for students. The olympiad training
programme is offered to all students from Term 3
onwards.
The three external standards will be assessed in a
three hour end-of-year examination timeslot. Trial
examinations will be held during the year to help
prepare students.