I remember having to memorize some amount in like grade 10 science, I think the first 10 were required - but only the name, symbol, and in order. We didn't have to memorize any of the other details and on tests we either had a full table to work from or the test would provide the relevant information for the elements needed.

I think the memorization part was more a brain development excercise for kids, every class had some sort of "memorize these few things" up until grade 12 or so.