Chemistry A-Level
“Chemistry is necessarily an experimental science: its conclusions are drawn from data, and its principles supported by evidence.”
Examination: The course is examined in January and June of both Year 12 and Year 13
Course details
Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Formulae, Equations and Amount of Substance
- Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
- Bonding and Structure
- Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes
- Alkenes
Unit 2: Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols
- Energetics
- Intermolecular Forces
- Redox Chemistry and Groups 1, 2 and 7
- Introduction to Kinetics and Equilibria
- Organic Chemistry: Alcohols, Halogenoalkanes and Spectra
Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology I
- Students are expected to develop experimental skills, and a knowledge and understanding of experimental techniques, by carrying out a range of practical experiments and investigations while they study Units 1 and 2.
Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity
- Kinetics
- Entropy and Energetics
- Chemical Equilibria
- Acid-base Equilibria
- Organic Chemistry: Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Chirality
Unit 5: Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
- Redox Equilibria
- Transition Metals and their Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry: Arenes
- Organic Nitrogen Compounds: Amines, Amides, Amino Acids and Proteins
- Organic Synthesis
Unit 6: Practical Skills in Chemistry II
- Students are expected to further develop the experimental skills and the knowledge and understanding of experimental techniques that they acquired in Units 1 and 2 (tests for anions and cations, gases and organic functional groups) by carrying out a range of practical experiments and investigations while they study Units 4 and 5.
Assessment overview, duration and weighting
Unit 1 - Written examination 1h and 30 min (20% of qualification - 80 marks)
Unit 2 - Written examination 1h and 30 min (20% of qualification - 80 marks)
Unit 3 - Written examination 1 and 20 minutes (10% of qualification - 50 marks)
Unit 4 - Written examination 1h and 30 min (20% of qualification - 90 marks)
Unit 5 - Written examination 1h and 30 min (20% of qualification - 90 marks)
Unit 6 - Written examination 1 and 20 minutes (10% of qualification - 50 marks)
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 - (Jan Y12) | 20 | This paper has two sections: Section A: multiple choice questions Section B: mixture of short-open, open-response and calculation questions. This paper will include a minimum of 18 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of experimental methods in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. |
| Unit 2 - (June Y12) | 20 | This paper has three sections: Section A: multiple choice questions. Section B: mixture of short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. Section C: contemporary context question. This paper will contain questions that require information from the Data Booklet. This paper will include a minimum of 18 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of experimental methods in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from Unit 1. |
| Unit 3 - (June Y13) | 10 | This paper may include short-open, open-response and calculation questions. This paper will include a minimum of 6 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of practical skills to familiar and unfamiliar situations. |
| Unit 4 - (Jan Y13) | 20 | This paper has three sections: Section A: multiple choice questions. Section B: mixture of short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. Section C: data or calculation question. This paper will include a minimum of 22 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of experimental methods in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from Units 1 and 2. |
| Unit 5 - (June Y13) | 20 | The paper may include multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. Pre-released reading (scientific article) will be provided for this assessment. The paper will include a minimum of 9 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from units 1 and 2. |
| Unit 6 - (June Y13) | 10 | The paper may include short-open, open-response and calculation questions. The paper will include a minimum of 5 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above. Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of practical skills to familiar and unfamiliar situations. |
Wider reading
Bryson,B.(2003). A Short History of Nearly Everything. Broadway Books.
Clayton, J. (2000). Organic Chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Kean, S. (2010). The disappearing Spoon: And other true tales of Madness, Love and History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements. Little, Brown and Company.
Would you like to know more?
Visit the campus in La Moraleja or ask us anything. We answer within 24 hours on working days.