The theoretical exam finally came. Yesterday morning, nearly 300 international students gathered early at the National Convention Center to attend the 5-hour exam from 9AM to 2PM.
The theoretical exam finally came. Yesterday morning, nearly 300 international students gathered early at the National Convention Center to attend the 5-hour exam from 9AM to 2PM. The bus from the La Thanh Hotel to the National Convention Center was unusually quiet, with less chit chat than usual and a variety of facial expressions. Some were excited for the incoming test; others looked more serious and nervous. A candidatefrom Slovenia said that he could not sleep the day before, unsure of whether this was due to the construction work near the hotel, or the intensity of the forthcoming exam. A Croatian member tired face predicted that theproblems would be pretty hard. Since the practical exam did not go as expected, it was hoped that the theoretical exam would turn out better.
The exam went well, even though some of the students were tired, with headaches, some even needing support from the medical team, no mistakes were recorded. At 2.15, the alarm at the National Convention Center rang softly, all the contestants quickly submitted their answer sheets and flocked out of the examination room. Most students acknowledged that this year’s theoretical exam may have been easier but the challenge was the lack of time. New Zealand students also added that there were too many problems. Before going for lunch, the Turkmenistan team told us that they found the theory part this year very interesting, with newchallenging problems which haven’t been seen before. Although not all participants were satisfied with their performances, it seems that they are all now relaxed and excited about the forthcoming reunion party at the Daewoo Hotel.
Georgia, the team participating in IChO for the first time, quietly sat down in front of the test room and discussed some Chemistry problems with each other.
The Peru team playing cards as a way to release stress
Austria - SUÁREZ VÁSQUEZ Michael Alexander
“I’m really confident about my performance. It was a really really long test and it was difficult. I struggled a lot. The test definitely included something new, compounds and topics I have never met before, in the previous years. But it was really challenging and really interesting to discover.”