About David Tan:
Chemistry Author & Tutor in Singapore
“True understanding begins when students stop memorising and start thinking.” — DT
I’m David Tan, a Chemistry author and tutor in Singapore, founder of Reviewston, and author of A-Level Chemistry books published by World Scientific. I teach O- and A-Level Chemistry, as well as Lower Secondary Mathematics and Science, with a simple goal: to help students move beyond memorising answers and start understanding why they work.
As a student, I scored an L1R5 of 7 at O-Level and three H2 As at A-Level before completing an M.Sc. in Chemistry at NUS. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve helped students strengthen their foundations, reduce repeated mistakes, and become more confident with exam-style Chemistry questions.
My teaching focuses on clear explanation, structured practice and reasoning. Whether I am teaching Chemistry, Mathematics or Science, the aim is the same: help students understand why an idea works, not simply memorise what to do.
Whether your child is struggling with Chemistry, Mathematics or Science, the aim is simple: clear, step-by-step guidance until the ideas finally start to click.
Why Students Learn with David Tan
My Teaching Approach
I teach by making ideas feel logical instead of random. Whether the subject is Chemistry, Mathematics or Science, students often struggle when they rely on memorised patterns without understanding the reasoning underneath.
In lessons, I break each topic into clear steps: what the concept means, why a formula, relationship or process works, how it is tested, and where students usually make mistakes. This is the same approach I use when developing Reviewston study notes, worked examples and practice questions.
The aim is not just to finish content. It is to help students become more confident applying what they know to unfamiliar questions.
Academic Background
Extract from my NUS M.Sc. Chemistry transcript, showing A grades in Graduate Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry.
Explore Reviewston Study Resources
Reviewston provides free, structured resources for Singapore secondary and pre-university students to learn concepts clearly, practise by topic and prepare more confidently for exams.
- Study with clear, step-by-step explanations
- Check your understanding with built-in diagnostic and mastery quizzes
- Use worked examples to see how concepts are applied
- Practise common exam skills and avoid frequent mistakes
- Use Chemistry calculators and interactive tools when needed