VCAA Chemistry Performance
Overall average 57.7%43,556 questions answered2026 data
Score by Unit & Topic
Full study designHow can design and innovation help to optimise chemical processes?
57.3%
How are carbon-based compounds designed for purpose?
58.2%
Score by Past Paper
2026 data
2025
68.8%
2025
58.7%
2024
52.5%
2024
65.6%
2023
63.8%
2023
55.1%
2022
56.5%
2021
54.5%
2020
51.3%
Score by Question Type
2026 data
Extended Response
51.6%
Multiple Choice
56.3%
Short Answer
61.4%
Cognitive Verb Performance
2026 data
Analyse
71.3%
Apply
65%
Calculate
56.9%
Compare
58.6%
Consider
64.3%
Contrast
57.9%
Deduce
62.6%
Define
66.7%
Describe
62.3%
Determine
65.9%
Discuss
58.2%
Distinguish
52%
Draw
58%
Evaluate
70.6%
Explain
58.6%
Identify
63.5%
Justify
63.9%
Label
100%
Name
61.1%
Predict
57.7%
Provide
51.3%
Sketch
50%
State
64.8%
Write
65.7%
Study Guides
VCE Chemistry Hardest Topics: Where Students Lose the Most MarksAverage scores in VCE Chemistry by past paper, topic, question type and command verb, plus the high-weight low-score revision list.VCE Chemistry Most Tested Topics: What the VCAA Exams CoverMarks by topic and dot point across 9 VCAA Chemistry external papers, 2020 to 2025, plus the question type and cognitive verb mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hardest VCAA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the hardest VCAA Chemistry topics are How are organic compounds analysed and used? (53.8%), What are the current and future options for supplying energy? (57%), How can the rate and yield of chemical reactions be optimised? (57.6%). Focus your revision on these areas for the biggest score improvement.
What are the easiest VCAA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the highest-scoring VCAA Chemistry topics are How are organic compounds categorised and synthesised? (61.7%), How is scientific inquiry used to investigate the sustainable production of energy and/or materials? (58.9%), How can the rate and yield of chemical reactions be optimised? (57.6%).
What are the most common command words in VCAA Chemistry exams?
The most frequently tested command words in VCAA Chemistry are Explain, Identify, Determine, Calculate, Write. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.
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