Full list of Science Section (III) suggested topics for learning

[Croc7415]

Solutions and solubility
Molarity & molality
Solubility product
The common ion effect
Ionic product and precipitation
Raoult’s law
Boiling point elevation
Freezing point depression
Acids and bases
pH scale
strong vs weak
conjugate pairs
binary acids
oxoacids
acidity constant
basicity constant
titration
buffers
isomerism
fisher notation
stereochemistry
enantiomers
optical activity
racemic mixture
diastereomers
meso compounds
hydrocarbons
alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
free radical halogenation
molecular geometry and bond angles
bond strength, length and energy
aromatic compounds
nucleophilic substitution
elimination
oxygen-containing compounds
alcohols, ethers, esters, carboxylic acids etc etc
biological molecules
proteins, lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates
rules for naming compounds
Enzymes
Cell metabolism
Molecular genetics
DNA
Protein synthesis
DNA replication
Prokaryotes & eukaryotes
Musculoskeletal system
Gastrointestinal system
Respiratory system
Gas exchange
Haemoglobin
O2 dissociation curve
Chemo & mechanoreceptors
Cardiovascular system
Transcapillary exchange
Starling’s laws
Cardiac cycle
Urinary system
Fluid disturbances
Fluid compartments in the body

Atomic structure and periodicity
Electronegativity
Ionisation energy
Ionic radius
Electrons
The periodic table
Chemical bonding
Temporary dipole bonds
Hydrogen bonds
Kinetics and equilibrium
Chemical reactions
Reaction rates
Collision theory
Rate laws
Le Chatelier’s principle
Reaction quotient and equilibrium constant
Thermochemistry
Enthalpy and entropy
Exothermic endothermic
Bond energy
Gases
Boyles law
Charles law
Gay-lussac’s law
Avogadro’s law
Graham’s law
Dalton’s law
Maxwell-boltzmann distribution
Real vs ideal gas
Phase equilibria
Evaporation
Heat vs temperature graphs
Vapour pressure
lab techniques
chromatography
distillation
extraction
recrystalisation
Vectors and scalars
Graphical vector addition
Vector trigonometry
Separating vector components
Kinematics, translation etc
Distance and displacement
Speed and velocity
Acceleration and circular acceleration
Graphical analysis of translational motion
Horizontal and vertical motion
Air resistance
Projectile motion
Rotational motion
Kinematic equations
Newtonian mechanics
Newtons laws
Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Normal force
Gravity
Friction
Uniform circular motion
Work and energy
Power
Potential energy
Gravitational potential energy
Elastic potential energy
Kinetic energy
Conservation of mechanical energy
Momentum
Impulse
Collisions
Explosions
Fluids
Hydrostatics
Pressure (total and gauge)
Buoyancy, Archimedes principle
Surface tension
Hydrodynamics
Viscosity & flow
Flow through a pipe
Bernoulli’s equation
Pressure and velocity of moving fluids
Thermodynamics
Heat & temperature
Temperature scales
Specific heat capacity
Heat transfer
System and surroundings
Laws of thermodynamics
Electrostatics
Coulombs law
Electric fields
Electric potential
Current, voltage, resistance
AC and DC circuits
Parallel and series
Magnetism
Coulombs law of magnetic force
Electromagnets
Current carrying wire within an external field
Oscillation and waves
Sound
Timbre
Refraction & reflection
Beats
Doppler effect
Nuclear reactions
Half life
Radiation & decay
Fission
Nuclear power
Exponents
Logarithms
Linear & non-linear graphs

[DJohnson]

I would suggest to anybody thinking of sitting the GAMSAT that time spent researching even a quarter of that overly exhaustive "list" would be better spent reading through the ACER past paper booklets and becoming familiar, not only with the content that makes a regular appearance, but also with the style of the questions.

Yes, a grounding in certain principles (organic chemistry!) is vital. In other principles, it can make comprehension of the questions less time consuming, but the style of the GAMSAT means that even those without that grounding should be able to answer the question if they are able to assimilate quickly and apply information that is largely contained within the question itself.

That being said, the wording of the questions doesn't make it easy to pick out the relevant information but practice makes perfect!

Don't allow the above list to put you off taking the GAMSAT! In my opinion, Revise GAMSAT provides a far more useful selection of topics to get started with.

Regards,
DJ

[Croc7415]

I know quite a lot about GAMSAT, having improved from a section III score of 48 to 66 by teaching myself those exact topics which are not my inventions, but have come out of a recognised textbook.

GAMSAT section III is about knowing the playing field you are on so you can answer the questions quickly and confidently. It's not a question of being put off, it's a question of having the determination to put in the hard work.