Introducing AQA A level chemistry
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The certification for AQA A-level chemistry consists of three written examination papers plus an endorsement of practical competence.
The three papers are worth a total of 300 marks:
Paper 1: 105 marks
Paper 2: 105 marks
Paper 3: 90 marks
AQA Paper 1: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
Marks: 105
Time: 2 hours
Weighting: 35% of the total A level
Content covered:
- Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12)
- Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2)
- Relevant practical skills
All questions are short answer or extended response questions; there is no multiple-choice section in this paper.
AQA Paper 2: Organic and Physical Chemistry
Marks: 105 marks
Time: 2 hours
Weighting: 35% of the total A level
Content covered:
- Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9)
- Organic chemistry (section 3.3)
- Relevant practical skills
All questions are short answer or extended response questions; there is no multiple-choice section in this paper.
AQA Paper 3
Marks: 90 marks
Time: 2 hours
Weighting: 30% of the total A level
Content covered:
- Any content
- Any practical skills
40 marks of questions on practical techniques and data analysis
20 marks of questions testing across the specification
30 marks of multiple-choice questions
To gain practical endorsement with AQA, you must complete a series of required practicals.
You must demonstrate competence in:
- Following written procedures correctly
- Applying investigative approaches with instruments and equipment
- Using practical equipment and materials safely
- Making and recording accurate observations
- Researching, referencing, and reporting findings
There is no grading in practical assessments – they are either passed or not classified.
Familiarity with the methods used in the required practicals is required within the written exam. It is worth reviewing the practicals you have completed and ensuring you understand the purpose of each step.
You may need to describe how to plan and complete a similar practical. You may also need to analyse or evaluate a practical described within a question.
A level qualifications are graded on the scale: A*, A, B, C, D, E
The final grade is calculated by adding marks from the three written components.
Grade boundaries represent the minimum marks required to achieve a given grade. Based on previous years, the grade boundaries vary.
Approximate percentage ranges for AQA A-level chemistry grade boundaries are given below:
Do not panic if you have found a paper particularly difficult – this will likely be reflected in the grade boundary assigned.
Practical Endorsement reported separately as Pass/Not Classified.