CBSE is a popular autonomous board of education in India that strictly follows the syllabus laid down by NCERT. Major competitive exams like JEE and NEET are conducted based on it. Though these exams are conducted after the 12th Boards, the subject knowledge gathered in Class 11 is extremely important for these competitive exams.
A strong base of any subject can be built by taking class 11 very seriously, and Noon Academy brings a comprehensive overview of the ways to handle the exam by analysis of previous years question papers, marking scheme, weightage is given to each topic, and some tips on optimizing all available resources to score well and gather prerequisites for next academic year, i.e., class 12.
Chemistry appears daunting for many students due to the vast syllabus but clear guidance on the course structure and important topics can be of great help. The term wise syllabus for 2020-2021 released by CBSE is presented here to provide information on assignments, projects, and practical’s apart from the theory
Class 11 Chemistry syllabus is quite vast and needs a clear understanding of the concepts and topics.
The table below shows the marks distribution and number of periods allocated for Term I CBSE Chemistry Class 11
| Unit No. | Unit Name | No. of Periods | Marks |
| Unit I | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 10 | 11 |
| Unit II | Structure of Atom | 12 | |
| Unit III | Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties | 06 | 04 |
| Unit IV | Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | 14 | 06 |
| Unit V | Redox Reactions | 04 | 05 |
| Unit VI | Hydrogen | 04 | |
| Unit VII | Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques | 10 | 9 |
| Total | 60 | 35 |
As seen in the table above, a total of 35 marks is allocated to the Term I syllabus and the first unit has the highest weightage of 11 marks. It is based on concepts of Chemistry and the Structure of Atoms. Unit VII dealing with Organic Chemistry carries 9 marks and students have to study classification and IUPAC nomenclature of organic compounds. Unit IV, with 6 marks, and Unit V, with 5 marks, should be given importance accordingly. Unit III carries the least weightage of 4 marks with topics like Nomenclature of Elements, Modern Periodic Table, etc
Term II CBSE Chemistry Class 11 topic wise weightage
| Unit No. | Unit Name | No. of Periods | Marks |
| Unit V | States of Matter: Gases and Liquids | 09 | 15 |
| Unit VI | Chemical Thermodynamics | 14 | |
| Unit VII | Equilibrium | 12 | |
| Unit X | s-Block Elements | 05 | 11 |
| Unit XI | p-Block Elements | 09 | |
| Unit XIII | Hydrocarbons | 10 | 9 |
| Total | 59 | 35 |
● The question paper of Class 11 carries questions of 35 marks covering the Term II portion as stated above. The highest weightage is there for Units V, VI, and VII amounting to a total of 15 marks and hence must be given maximum importance Three States of Matter, Intermolecular Interactions, Types of Bonding, Melting and Boiling Points, Gibb’s Energy Change for Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Processes, Third Law of Thermodynamics, Dynamic Nature of Equilibrium, The Role of Gas Laws, Equilibrium in Physical and Chemical Processes, The Law of Mass Action, Equilibrium Constant, Factors Affecting Equilibrium, The Concept of pH, Buffer Solution, Solubility Product, Common Ion Effect are some of the major topics that students have to study.
● This is followed by Unit X and XI that carries 11 marks and cover topics like Group 1 and Group 2 Elements: general introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence, anomalous properties of the first element of each group, diagonal relationship, trends in the variation of properties, trends in chemical reactivity with oxygen, water, hydrogen, and halogens, uses.
● Finally, 9 marks are allotted to Unit XII on Hydrocarbons, where students should learn about the classification of hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons: alkanes – nomenclature, isomerism, conformation (ethane only), physical properties, chemical reactions, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, etc in detail.
Chemistry is an important subject for students aspiring for both Engineering and Medical streams. In the previous years, analysis of the paper has shown that the paper is mostly of moderate difficulty with 80% easy questions and 20% difficult questions. Though the questions were sometimes tricky, they were all part of the CBSE syllabus and asked from NCERT books. Therefore, with proper preparation and little care to avoid silly mistakes any student can score decently in the exam.
The question paper for Class 11 is designed in such a way that the in-depth knowledge of students can be judged appropriately. With some care and all the steps stated in this article, any student can prepare the units as per their assigned weightage. The theory paper is for 70 Marks and the total time allotted to solve it is 3 hours. Altogether, 26 questions are given in the paper and there is no overall choice. All questions are compulsory.
There are a total of 26 questions :
Q1-5 carry 1 mark each
Q6-10 carry 2 marks each
Q11-Q22 carry 3 marks each
Q23 carries 4 marks and
Q24-Q26 carry 5 marks each
Some tips for Class 11 CBSE Chemistry students:
- Prepare good notes which you can find handy with a list of elements and periodic properties, the nomenclature of organic compounds, etc
- Students should regularly practice sample papers and previous year question papers to become familiar with the final exam paper, marking scheme, pattern, important questions, etc.
- Important formulas, chemical reactions, important questions, etc., must be revised a few days before the exam to feel confident and score well.
CBSE CHEMISTRY CLASS 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. Is it necessary to memorize a lot in Chemistry?
Ans: Chemistry is a subject that demands a clear understanding of concepts and topics. But some elements of the subject like periodic tables, nomenclature, etc., have to be memorized to score well.
2. Did CBSE reduce the chemistry syllabus?
Ans: Syllabus was reduced by 30% for the academic year 2020-2021 but not for 2021-2022. But if the lockdown conditions continue till December 2021, then the decision may be reviewed again.
3. What are the best ways to master the subject to crack competitive exams?
Ans: The NCERT textbook is the main book to study the concepts from. Apart from that, there are many resources including excellent videos on each topic which can be explored to prepare your notes. Revise those notes from time to time and keep the list of periodic elements, nomenclature, etc. really handy to regularly revise before the exams.
4. How to top in CBSE Class 11 Chemistry?
Ans. Students have to understand every concept, topic, mechanism, process, reaction, etc. As the subject involves a lot of formulas, reactions, equations, you have to study and also write them down along with the definitions of various terms, short descriptions of various processes, reactions, experiments, etc.
After that practice, the reactions and equations regularly so that you do not forget. Explore and make a plan for solving the example problems. Ensure that you solve all questions at the end of the chapters. Regularly revise the theories, reactions, formulas, and equations, especially before the exam to avoid silly mistakes.