<p>Most first-year students of the natural-geographical department demonstrate a low level of school chemistry training and experience difficulties in passing the exam in this discipline. An effectively organized independent work of students and its timely control make it possible to overcome these difficulties The author has developed a score-rating system for knowledge assessment that can facilitate the procedure. The educational content of the subject is divided into subject modules. For each subject, several types of training activities are indicated and fixed in the technological map of the discipline. The system involves some criteria for evaluating the results of educational activities, of which students are aware. The test score is summarized with that of the term academic performance and the final grade is calculated. This system allows students a clearer and more timely understanding of the assessment system; it allows them to realize the need for systematic independent work, which is especially important in the study of such a time-consuming subject as chemistry.<strong></strong></p>