SCSA Chemistry Performance

Overall average 57.1%35,102 questions answered2026 data

Score by Unit & Topic

Full syllabus

Equilibrium, acids and bases, and redox reactions

56.1%
Science Inquiry Skills
60.1%
Chemical equilibrium systems
56.3%
Acids and bases
62%
Oxidation and reduction
53.2%

Organic chemistry and chemical synthesis

58.6%
Science Inquiry Skills
54.9%
Properties and structure of organic materials
58%
Chemical synthesis
61.9%

Score by Past Paper

2026 data

2025
47.6%
2024
59.2%
2023
59%
2022
67.9%
2021
64.2%
2020
60.8%

Score by Question Type

2026 data

Extended Response
44.1%
Multiple Choice
55.7%
Short Answer
62.3%

Cognitive Verb Performance

2026 data

Analyse
37.5%
Apply
61.2%
Calculate
64.4%
Compare
61%
Construct
73.3%
Contrast
100%
Deduce
53%
Define
51.7%
Demonstrate
14.3%
Describe
65%
Determine
59.2%
Discuss
43.5%
Distinguish
0%
Draw
54.3%
Evaluate
100%
Explain
57.2%
Identify
58.5%
Illustrate
77.4%
Justify
51.7%
Label
57.6%
Name
82.5%
Outline
66.8%
Predict
64.9%
Propose
83.3%
Provide
53.1%
Select
87.5%
Show
72%
Sketch
55.9%
State
63.4%
Write
68.4%

Study Guides

WACE Chemistry Hardest Topics: Where Students Lose the Most MarksAverage scores in WACE Chemistry by past paper, topic, question type and command verb, plus the high-weight low-score revision list.WACE Chemistry Most Tested Topics: What the SCSA Exams CoverMarks by topic and dot point across 6 SCSA Chemistry external papers, 2020 to 2025, plus the question type and cognitive verb mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hardest SCSA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the hardest SCSA Chemistry topics are Oxidation and reduction (53.2%), Science Inquiry Skills (54.9%), Chemical equilibrium systems (56.3%). Focus your revision on these areas for the biggest score improvement.
What are the easiest SCSA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the highest-scoring SCSA Chemistry topics are Acids and bases (62%), Chemical synthesis (61.9%), Science Inquiry Skills (60.1%).
What are the most common command words in SCSA Chemistry exams?
The most frequently tested command words in SCSA Chemistry are Explain, Identify, Calculate, Determine, Write. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.

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