Do NOT just memorize the answer key. The answer key contains some notes to the examiner, and some of the symbols mean different things. Read the following before checking answer keys:
- A slash '/' means "or"
- A semicolon (;) means that that sentence is worth one mark [1]
- OWTTE means "Or words to that effect." Do not write this on your exam. It is a note to the teacher correcting your test, which means that if you explain your answer correctly, but use different words, you will still get the points.
- "ecf" means "Error carried forward." This is a good thing for you. If you make a mistake earlier in a problem--for example, you calculate the molar mass incorrectly--and you use the same number or information to do another step in a problem, you will not lose points for it, unless it says differently in the mark scheme/answer key.
- Significant figures. You can only lose one point/mark for significant figures on paper 2 and paper 3. If you make a mistake in significant figures in the short answer, you will lose one mark. If you make another mistake with significant figures, you will not lose any points!
- Show your work. Sometimes you are only given marks/points for the final answer in calculations. However, if you're wrong, you can usually get most marks/points for showing your calculations.
- Units do not usually matter, but include them just in case.