How to Crack Chemistry in Class 12 (Without Losing Your Mind)

01.02.26 02:03 PM - Comment(s) - By Deepa Bhatnagar

Class 12 chemistry has a reputation—and honestly, I get why. The syllabus is vast, concepts feel interconnected, and exams expect both understanding and accuracy. Over the years, I’ve worked with many students who felt overwhelmed at first but went on to perform really well with the right approach.

Here’s what I tell every Class 12 student who asks me: chemistry is not about memorising everything—it’s about understanding patterns and practising smartly.

Let’s break it down.


1. Get Your Basics Strong (This Is Non-Negotiable)

Most difficulties in Class 12 chemistry come from weak fundamentals in:

  • mole concept

  • chemical bonding

  • basic organic reactions

Before rushing into reactions or numericals, pause and ask yourself: Do I understand why this happens?
When concepts are clear, reactions stop feeling random and numericals stop feeling scary.

👉 Tip: If a chapter feels impossible, go one level back and revise the prerequisite concept.


2. Don’t Treat Organic Chemistry Like a Memory Game

Organic chemistry is where many students panic—but it’s actually very logical.

Instead of memorising reactions:

  • understand why a reagent works

  • focus on reaction mechanisms

  • group similar reactions together

Once you see the patterns, organic chemistry becomes predictable—and even enjoyable.

👉 Tip: Practice writing reactions neatly and step-by-step. Presentation matters in board exams.


3. Practice Numericals the Right Way

In physical chemistry, students often “understand” concepts but lose marks due to:

  • wrong formulas

  • unit mistakes

  • rushed calculations

The only fix? Consistent practice.

👉 Tip:

  • Write formulas before substituting values

  • Always include units

  • Practice previous years’ board questions regularly

Accuracy improves only with repetition.


4. NCERT Is Your Best Friend

This may sound obvious, but it’s extremely important.

For Class 12 boards:

  • NCERT lines are often asked directly

  • diagrams, tables, and examples matter

  • even small paragraphs can turn into 2–3 mark questions

👉 Tip: Read NCERT actively—underline, annotate, and revise it multiple times.


5. Revise Smart, Not Just Hard

Revision isn’t about reading everything again the night before.

Effective revision includes:

  • short notes for reactions and formulas

  • regular mock tests

  • analysing mistakes (this part is crucial!)

👉 Tip: Make an “error notebook” where you write mistakes you repeat. This alone can boost marks significantly.


Final Words

You don’t need to be a “chemistry genius” to do well in Class 12. What you need is:

  • clear concepts

  • consistent practice

  • guidance that matches your learning style

If chemistry feels overwhelming right now, that doesn’t mean you’re bad at it—it just means you haven’t found the right approach yet.

Take it one chapter at a time. Progress adds up faster than you think.

Deepa Bhatnagar