Science Olympiads

[Guest]

Hi guys,

I am to sit the Chemistry and Physics Olympiads in a couple of months. Has anyone done these previously? What should one study beforehand? Are there any topics in particular that they emphasize on?

I was told that they were "hard" and "challenging" before signing up, but exactly how hard or challenging are they?
Most importantly, "Are they worthwhile doing?" I did the AMT challenge (5 question one) earlier this year. That was an utter waste of time in my opinion as it took countless hours to complete and I did not end up learning much from the experience other than to never take part in it again. I wouldn't want to do this Olympiad if something like that is going to be the case.

Any tips on the Olympiads in general would be great. Peace. 

[Sach1_K]

Hi guys,

I am to sit the Chemistry and Physics Olympiads in a couple of months. Has anyone done these previously? What should one study beforehand? Are there any topics in particular that they emphasize on?

I was told that they were "hard" and "challenging" before signing up, but exactly how hard or challenging are they?
Most importantly, "Are they worthwhile doing?" I did the AMT challenge (5 question one) earlier this year. That was an utter waste of time in my opinion as it took countless hours to complete and I did not end up learning much from the experience other than to never take part in it again. I wouldn't want to do this Olympiad if something like that is going to be the case.

Any tips on the Olympiads in general would be great. Peace. 

there was a previous thread by psyxwar earlier today about the topics in the chem olympiad.
And your not in yr 10 are you?

[psyxwar]

https://www.asi.edu.au/site/asoe2012_sampletests.php

Check out some of the past exams and decide yourself whether or not you think they're hard.

https://www.asi.edu.au/site/asoe_teacher_resources.php

The syllabuses are listed in the link above.

[spectroscopy]

if you havent done vce level of the subject dont expect >credit
i did it in year 10
dear lord, do you know how hard they were LOL

[Guest]

there was a previous thread by psyxwar earlier today about the topics in the chem olympiad.
And your not in yr 10 are you?

Can you PM me with the link for that thread?
And, yes I'm in year 10. Is the Olympiad that bad/hard???

[thushan]

It's possible to get >credit in Year 10 (i got HD in Year 10 for chem) but you'll need a fair amount of background into Year 11/12 Chem.

[Guest]

Judging by the past exam papers for Chem, it seems like I would require sound understanding of Unit 1&2 chem and some insight into 3&4 as well.
On the other hand, Physics doesn't seem so bad. I can probably manage.
Here goes my holidays studying Chem. 

[spectroscopy]

It's possible to get >credit in Year 10 (i got HD in Year 10 for chem) but you'll need a fair amount of background into Year 11/12 Chem.

yeah its possible to do but unreasonable to expect it if you dont have the background knowledge of vce chem
unless you're thushan
thushan can expect HD's
how do you do it thushan you beast LOL

[pi]

Scotch also has (if I'm not mistaken) special Olympiad classes which puts them inherently ahead of just about every other school in Aus

[Guest]

Scotch also has (if I'm not mistaken) special Olympiad classes which puts them inherently ahead of just about every other school in Aus

Lol. I wouldn't be surprised.

[IndefatigableLover]

there was a previous thread by psyxwar earlier today about the topics in the chem olympiad.
And your not in yr 10 are you?

In case it hasn't been done it's here:
NQE Chemistry Syllabus?

(Off-topic but hello there fellow Year 10 JMSS student )

[souka]

They were dam hard could only get credit. But it depends I sat for the allocated time only. But you can easily take longer.

[Nate08]

Hi all,
Just wondering if anybody here has done the Biology summer school or knows anything about it? So I know that it's 16 days during January and there's a lot of learning, which sounds awesome. What I don't know as yet is what topics are covered. As much as I would love to jump on this opportunity, my family has booked a holiday which we have been looking forward to all year, during this time frame. We are investigating whether we can reschedule the holiday, but what I'm really asking of you all is whether you think the summer school is worth it given that there is a good chance that my family won't do their holiday if we can't reschedule. Also, I am wondering what your thoughts are on losing 16 days of study which I could use to greatly improve my VCE results. What I'm learning in the summer school won't really help me for VCE as I've already done Bio this year and I'm under no illusions that it's incredibly unlikely that I make the Australian team to compete internationally. Obviously not expecting you guys to make a decision for me, but some advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have put this post in other threads as well.
Thanks