What This Document Is
This is a past exam from CHEM 105a, General Chemistry, at the University of Southern California. Specifically, it’s Exam 1 as administered in Fall 2013. It’s a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a student’s understanding of foundational chemistry concepts covered early in the course. The exam is a closed-book, closed-notes format, emphasizing problem-solving skills and the application of core principles. It includes a mix of quantitative problems and conceptual questions.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is invaluable for students currently enrolled in or preparing to take CHEM 105a at USC, or a similar introductory chemistry course elsewhere. It provides a realistic glimpse into the exam format, question types, and overall difficulty level expected by the instructor. Utilizing past exams is a proven strategy for effective exam preparation, allowing students to identify knowledge gaps and refine their test-taking strategies. It’s particularly useful for self-assessment and focused review. Access to this exam can help build confidence and reduce test anxiety.
Common Limitations or Challenges
While this exam is a valuable study tool, it’s important to remember that course content and instructor emphasis can shift over time. Therefore, this exam should not be considered a definitive predictor of future exam questions. It does not include detailed explanations or worked solutions; it is purely an assessment instrument. Furthermore, it assumes a baseline understanding of the material already covered in the course.
What This Document Provides
* A full copy of the original Fall 2013 CHEM 105a Exam 1.
* A clear indication of the time allotted for the exam (60 minutes).
* Specific instructions regarding permitted materials (Casio fx-260 calculator only) and academic integrity policies.
* A variety of problem types covering topics such as nomenclature, stoichiometry, isotopic calculations, and percent composition.
* A representation of the point value assigned to each question, indicating the relative importance of different concepts.
* A periodic table is included within the exam itself.
