Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91165 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to show you understand how organic compounds (molecules made of carbon and hydrogen, plus other elements) work—specifically, how their structure affects their properties and how they react. You'll need to name and draw these compounds correctly, explain what makes them behave the way they do, and describe the chemical reactions they undergo.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91165?

Accepted Answer

1. Name and draw structural formulae correctly for organic compounds (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, haloalkanes, amines, and carboxylic acids with up to 8 carbons) 2. Describe and classify their physical and chemical properties—including isomers, boiling points, melting points, and solubility 3. Link the compound's structure and functional groups to explain why it behaves the way it does 4. Identify reaction types and predict products, including major and minor products for asymmetric reactions 5. Use correct chemistry vocabulary, symbols, and conventions throughout your answers

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91165?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You correctly name and draw some organic compounds, classify them, identify basic reaction types, and describe observations from reactions like colour changes. Merit: You consistently name and draw compounds correctly, link the structure to properties and reactions (e.g., chain length to solubility), use Zaitsev's rule to predict major/minor products, and explain requirements for isomerism by connecting it to molecular arrangement. Excellence: You accurately draw and name all structures, justify major/minor products by referencing specific hydrogen atoms on adjacent carbons, explicitly explain why geometric isomers exist (C=C cannot rotate), and fully connect a polymer's chemical property to its real-world application.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91165?

Accepted Answer

1. Drawing structures and naming compounds incorrectly or inconsistently—examiners flag poor attention to detail here as a main barrier to Merit and Excellence 2. Failing to link structure and functional groups to explain properties and reactions—successful students explicitly connected these; weaker answers were generic 3. Not justifying major and minor products in elimination reactions—Achievement with Excellence requires you to reference the specific number of hydrogens on the adjacent carbon atoms, not just state which product forms

Organic compounds

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AS91165 — Organic Chemistry

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