Introducing Edexcel A level chemistry
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The certification for Edexcel A level chemistry consists of three written examination papers plus the Science Practical Endorsement.
The three papers are worth a total of 300 marks:
Paper 1: 90 marks
Paper 2: 90 marks
Paper 3: 120 marks
Edexcel Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
Marks: 90
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 30 of the total A level
Content covered:
- Specification content from Topics 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15
- Demonstration of relevant mathematical skills
The paper is composed of a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response questions.
Edexcel Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry
Marks: 90
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 30 of the total A level
Content covered:
- Specification content from Topics 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 16, 17, 18 and 19
- Demonstration of relevant mathematical skills
The paper is composed of a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response questions.
Edexcel Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry
Marks: 120
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Weighting: 40 of the total A level
Content covered:
- All specification content
- Demonstration of relevant mathematical skills
- Specific focus on experimental techniques in the core practicals
The paper is composed of a mixture of short and extended free-response questions only.
To gain practical endorsement with Edexcel, you must complete a minimum of 12 from a series of 16 core 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.
Questions of this nature form a significant proportion of paper 3.
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 Edexcel 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 is reported separately as Pass/Not Classified.