Skip to content ↓

Chemistry

Introduction

Studying chemistry at A-Level gives an understanding of how matter interacts and the role that elements play in making up our world and beyond.  Studying chemistry at A-Level also helps students see the relevance of science beyond the laboratory and develop their analytical, evaluative and synoptic skills.  A further appreciation of how science works is also developed to help students make informed decisions on issues such as climate change.

A successful student in chemistry has to be competent in many skills including practical, mathematics conceptualising ideas.  It is therefore a highly regarded A level by both Universities and employers.

Year 12 2023/2024 – AQA 

Please click here for the specification and past papers, teaching materials, and vocabulary lists etc, supplied by AQA. 

Subject Content
 

 

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3
Year 12

3.1.1 Atomic structure
3.1.2 Amount of substance
3.1.3 Bonding
3.3.1 Introduction to organic
3.1.7 Redox
3.2.3 Group 7
3.2.1 Periodicity

3.1.4 Energetics
3.3.2 Alkanes
3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes
3.3.4 Alkenes
3.2.2 Group 2

3.1.5 Kinetics
3.3.5 Alcohols
3.1.6 Equilibria
3.3.6 Organic analysis

Introduction to year 13
3.1.9 Rate equations
3.3.16 Chromatography 
3.3.15 NMR
Year 13

3.1.9 Rate equations
3.3.10 Equilibrium constant, Kp
3.1.12 Acids and bases
3.3.7 Optical isomerism
3.3.8 Carbonyls
3.1.8 Thermodynamics
3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry
3.3.11 Amines
3.3.13 Amino acids, DNA and polymers
3.3.12 Polymers

3.1.11 Electrochemical cells
3.2.5/6 Transition metals and reactions of aqueous ions
3.2.4 Period 3

  

 

 

 

 

Exam structure

Exam grades will be given based on 3 final exams at the end of year 13. Paper 1 assesses physical and inorganic chemistry units, paper 2 assesses physical and organic modules, and paper 3 assesses all content with a heavier focus on practical skills. The first 2 papers consist of long and short style questions, the third paper also has a multiple choice section.

There will be no coursework elements in A level Chemistry.  Instead, students will be required to complete 12 core practicals which cover specific skills and techniques.

 Teacher assessment of students’ competency when completing practical work will count towards the separate Practical Endorsement at A level (this does not contribute to the overall grade but does need to be passed to receive an A level with the practical endorsement).

Click here to view a summary of the exams, at the bottom of the page.

Cookie Policy