Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) was originally developed in 2004 as the UAE's first integrated technology park, a free zone that integrates residential, commercial, and academic infrastructure within a master-planned community. Today, what began as a technology park and research institute 20 years ago is one of Dubai's most self-sustaining and family-oriented residential communities, home to professional expatriate families lured by its high standard of living, affordable real estate, and proximity to Academic City. Today, DSO and the surrounding area are home to a rich, education-focused community served by some of Dubai's finest international schools, including GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis, Indian International School DSO, and Repton School Dubai in nearby Academic City. For students studying A Level Chemistry in this area, Amourion Training Institute's center in Office 410, SIT Tower, DSO provides the support that A Level Chemistry deserves. Dr. Anil Khare answers the most common questions we get from DSO parents.
My child is struggling with Physical Chemistry. What makes it so hard?
Dr. Anil Khare: Physical Chemistry is the area of most mathematical challenge in A Level Chemistry, and those who approach it as purely descriptive chemistry are always surprised. Physical Chemistry topics such as thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics and electrochemistry each demand a thorough understanding of concepts and the ability to calculate using them. A student who grasps Le Chatelier's principle but fails to manipulate equilibrium constant expressions will lose marks on the conceptual and calculation parts of a question. We tackle the challenge of Physical Chemistry by building conceptual understanding and mathematical skill side-by-side, and not as a second priority. While most students come to us struggling with Physical Chemistry, they often leave with it as their most reliable subject.
Why is it so important that tuition for A Level Chemistry begins in Year 12, rather than Year 13?
Dr. Anil Khare: I think it's really important, and the reason why is that A Level Chemistry is so much in layers. The Year 12 Physical Chemistry (atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics and equilibrium) is not simply conceptual background information. It underpins absolutely everything in Year 13. A Year 13 student who has weaknesses in their Year 12 Physical Chemistry will find these gaps compounded when they look at organic mechanisms, further equilibrium, electrochemistry and transition metal chemistry all at once. Beginning tuition in Year 12 enables us to correct these as they occur, before they become major challenges. Our highest scoring students at our DSO center invariably attend from the beginning of Year 12.
My child finds it hard to answer the questions in accordance with the mark scheme. How can I help him overcome this?
Dr. Anil Khare: This is the most common challenge for students of all abilities in A Level Chemistry. There is a gap between what is understood by the student and what is expressed in mark-scheme-compliant language, it is specific and easily bridgeable with practice. A-Level Chemistry examiners are specific as they demand certain words, specific order and specific mechanistic detail that is often underestimated by students because they assume the examiner will understand. Explaining that the reaction is faster is worth no marks. Stating that the higher temperature increases the average kinetic energy of the particles, increasing the number of collisions with sufficient energy (greater than or equal to the activation energy), earns full marks. At the first meeting of our DSO class, we dissect the mark-scheme answers line by line until the precision of an examiner becomes so automatic that it's no longer something that's taught.
My child is studying both A Level Chemistry and A Level Biology. Can you provide help with both?
Dr. Anil Khare: Yes, and even more so than most students would expect. The structures and functions of biological molecules, enzyme kinetics, how cells obtain energy from respiration, and protein structure and folding all build on chemical principles such as bonds, functional groups and reaction energetics. A student who understands from a Chemical perspective why the active site of enzymes is specific for the substrate, or why the hydrolysis of ATP results in the release of energy, will perform better in Biology as a consequence. We regularly coach students taking the subjects together and actively build the connections that enhance their performance in each. It is certainly possible to juggle them effectively with the right expert help.
The A Level Chemistry Grade That Your University Destination Requires
A Level Chemistry is essential to Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry degrees at the world's top universities. For all of the students of Dubai Silicon Oasis who are ready to develop the exam techniques, depth of understanding and mark-scheme know-how that will help them achieve competitive marks, Amourion Training Institute's DSO center is the place to start.
Contact Dr. Anil Khare
Phone: +971 55 956 4344 | +971 4355 4850
Email: anilkhare@anilkhare.com
Website: www.anilkhare.com <
Dubai Centers: Sheikh Zayed Road | Jumeirah Lakes Towers | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Abu Dhabi: Hamdan Street