Chemistry Exam Questions Clear and Aligned with Curriculum, Say 12th-Grade Students

UAE's grade 12 students took their second semester exam on Friday, tackling chemistry in a fully digital format that lasted two hours. Student reactions were mixed - some found it challenging while others breezed through, but most agreed the questions stuck to the approved curriculum structure.

The chemistry exam covered all academic tracks - general, advanced, and elite programs. Students faced multiple-choice questions alongside complex problems requiring detailed solution steps. This combination created different experiences depending on each student's preparation level.

Ali Suhail from the advanced track called the exam difficult despite being entirely multiple choice. "Some questions involved problems that needed step-by-step solutions and deep thinking," he said. "Time became a crucial factor during the exam."

But experiences varied significantly. Ali Adel from the general track found the 30-question format manageable with enough time to complete everything. The questions followed the approved structure, making them easier to handle.

Rashid Al Dhaheri, also from the advanced track, had the opposite experience. He finished in just one hour and left early, saying most questions came directly from the curriculum framework.

In Dubai, students felt more relaxed about the chemistry exam compared to their previous physics test. Khalid Jumaa, Mohammed Al Noubi, Saif Fares, and Ali Reda all expressed satisfaction with the chemistry questions. They said the exam was much better than the notoriously difficult physics test they took earlier.

The students credited review sessions and virtual classes for helping them tackle different question types. Most questions were accessible to average students, with only a few challenging ones aimed at top performers.

**What's coming next**

Students will face mathematics on Monday in a split format. The first session runs from 12:00 to 1:30 PM on paper, followed by a digital session from 1:30 to 2:30 PM.

Applied track students take applied mathematics the same day using the same timing and format structure.

Calculator rules differ by track. General, advanced, and applied track students can use scientific or graphing calculators. But elite track students are limited to graphing calculators only.

This exam schedule reflects the UAE's continued push toward digital assessment methods while maintaining traditional paper-based elements for subjects requiring detailed mathematical work. The mixed reactions to chemistry suggest students are adapting to the digital format, though some still find the time pressure challenging when solving complex problems on screen.