How to study inorganic chemistry for NEET

NEET is one of the most difficult competitive exams on the planet, with a success rate of approx 6-7%. Inorganic chemistry can be a hard nut to crack when it comes to NEET preparation. With so many concepts and formulas to wrap your head around, it can seem like an uphill battle. If you have a firm grasp on it, you will undoubtedly have an advantage over others. Here are some tips to help you crush inorganic chemistry and excel in your NEET exam!

Understanding qualitative analysis

Qualitative analysis involves identifying the elements or compounds present in a given sample by performing various tests. In addition to the basic and acid reactions, it requires a thorough understanding of chemical equilibrium and many students find it difficult.

Having insufficient practical experience in performing the required tests, makes it further challenging to understand the concepts. Apart from this, it also requires you to memorize a significant amount of information, including chemical reactions, reagents, and test procedures, which can be quite overwhelming.

Inorganic chemistry, unlike physical and organic chemistry, requires a lot of patience. However, its contribution to the overall result is equally important. Make certain that you understand each and every concept mentioned. Refer to NCERT and practice an ample amount of inorganic chemistry NEET questions from the workout section in Darwin to get well-versed with the concepts.

Get a grasp of various block elements

Inorganic chemistry is built on a foundation of basic principles. So, before diving into the more advanced topics, start with the basics. Understand the periodic table, atomic structure, chemical bonding, and the properties of elements. Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll find it much easier to tackle the more complex topics. Spend time on understanding several types of blocks or groups of elements based on their electron configurations, including:

s-block elements: The s-block elements include the first two groups of the periodic table (group 1 and group 2) as well as helium. In total, 14 elements. These elements have one or two valence electrons in their outermost s-orbital and tend to form cations.

p-block elements: The p-block elements include six groups numbering 13 to 18 of the periodic table. These elements have their valence electrons in the p-orbitals and can form a variety of chemical compounds.

d-block elements: The d-block elements are the transition metals in groups 3 to 12 of the periodic table. These elements have partially filled d-orbitals and exhibit typical metallic properties. The d-block elements are known as transition metals and have varying numbers of valence electrons.

f-block elements: The f-block elements are the lanthanides and actinides, which are located at the bottom of the periodic table. These elements have partially filled f-orbitals and exhibit unique electronic and magnetic properties.

Noble Gases: The noble gases are the elements in group 18 of the periodic table. These elements have filled valence electron shells and are generally unreactive. Their ionization enthalpy decreases as they move down the group, so Xe reacts with oxygen and fluorine to form various compounds. The group’s rarest elements are xenon and radon.

Extra attention to P-block elements

Understanding P-block elements’ properties and reactions in detail can be a game changer for your preparation. To understand it thoroughly, deeply look at these topics:

Group 15: Research phosphorus properties, such as its allotropic forms, phosphorus compounds, and electrical configuration. Pay emphasis to nitrogen and its compounds as well.

Group 16: Sulphur is an important element to understand. Discover oxyacids and sulphur compounds.

Group 17: Halogens and their derivatives are the priority in this. Chlorine, as well as its essential acid, HCl, must be thoroughly researched.

Group 18: Concerned with the chemical and physical properties of neutral substances.

Pay attention to special cases

Certain elements or compounds may have unique properties or behaviors that deviate from general trends. Pay attention to these special cases as a lot many NEET questions can be asked from the same. Rather than simply memorizing exceptions, it’s important to understand the underlying principles that govern them. For example, exceptions in electronic configurations of transition metals arise due to the stability of half-filled or completely filled d-orbitals.

Use mnemonics

While studying inorganic chemistry, take notes of the critical formulas, equations, and concepts. This will help you recall them quickly during revision. Inorganic chemistry involves a lot of memorization of formulas, names, and reactions. Use mnemonics to help you remember them easily. For example, to remember the reactivity series, you can use the mnemonic “Please Stop Calling Me A Careless Zebra In The Library Cafe” (Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium, Carbon, Zinc, Iron, Lead, Copper).

Reference material for in-depth knowledge

NCERT books are always the best source to study from but if you are getting stuck somewhere don’t hesitate to take help from additional sources. Darwin has compiled topic-wise comprehensive NEET notes from all the subjects to highlight the essential points from your NCERT and make the process more engaging.

Practice with PYQs

Inorganic chemistry requires practice and lots of it! You must apply the concepts by solving problems. Thus, before choosing a topic, go over previous years’ NEET question papers and analyze the areas where the most questions are asked. You can go through the advanced workout filters in Darwin to solve recent years’ inorganic chemistry NEET questions from the year 2019-2022.

If you’re having trouble grasping a particular concept, reach out to your teacher or share it on our discussion forum. You can also join a study circle on Darwin to discuss and clarify your doubts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek support when you need it. After all, teamwork makes the dream work!

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There are lakhs of students seeing the dream of becoming a doctor and if you want to win against them, then you will have to give this exam your heart and soul. As mentioned above, inorganic chemistry requires a lot of patience so don’t give up. If you are feeling too tired or overwhelmed, take a break and then get back to grind. Keep working and soon it will become your forte. So, follow these tips, prepare effectively with Darwin, and crack NEET with flying colors.