A Level Chemistry (Cambridge 9701)9701
3 papers200 marks4 h 30 min
What we predict comes up
From the syllabus weighting and how the papers are usually set. The papers below follow it.
- Organic chemistry and synthesis27%Organic chemistry spans AS topics 13 to 21 and A Level 29 to 36, the largest block of the syllabus: expect about a quarter of Paper 1, a long Paper 2 question and three Paper 4 questions.
- Energetics and electrochemistry18%Hess cycles and redox on the AS papers, then Born-Haber, entropy, Gibbs, the Nernst equation and Faraday calculations usually fill two Paper 4 questions (about 20 of 100).
- Equilibria and reaction kinetics18%Kc and Kp, Boltzmann and rates at AS; pH, buffers, Ksp and rate equations from initial rates at A Level, typically two Paper 4 questions; our estimate from the syllabus balance.
- Periodicity, Group 2, Group 17, nitrogen and sulfur13%Period 3 oxides and chlorides, Group 2, Group 17, nitrogen and sulfur are AS topics 9 to 12, about a fifth of Paper 1 and one Paper 2 question, plus Group 2 thermal stability on Paper 4.
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
1 h 15 min · 40 marks · Calculator allowed
- There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
- For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct.
- Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
- You may use a calculator. Any data you need, such as relative atomic masses and constants, is given in the question.
Answer or mark a question and your score adds up here.
40 questions
Every paper, every question, the answers and the mark scheme. Free with a Knomi account.
Not included: Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills) and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation) are not included: they are a laboratory practical and an experimental design paper.
A Level Chemistry (Cambridge 9701) study checklist
Revise in this order: the topics worth the most marks first. Tick a topic off when you can answer its questions in the paper above without notes.
- Organic chemistry and synthesis · about 27% of the marksOrganic chemistry spans AS topics 13 to 21 and A Level 29 to 36, the largest block of the syllabus: expect about a quarter of Paper 1, a long Paper 2 question and three Paper 4 questions.
- Energetics and electrochemistry · about 18% of the marksHess cycles and redox on the AS papers, then Born-Haber, entropy, Gibbs, the Nernst equation and Faraday calculations usually fill two Paper 4 questions (about 20 of 100).
- Equilibria and reaction kinetics · about 18% of the marksKc and Kp, Boltzmann and rates at AS; pH, buffers, Ksp and rate equations from initial rates at A Level, typically two Paper 4 questions; our estimate from the syllabus balance.
- Periodicity, Group 2, Group 17, nitrogen and sulfur · about 13% of the marksPeriod 3 oxides and chlorides, Group 2, Group 17, nitrogen and sulfur are AS topics 9 to 12, about a fifth of Paper 1 and one Paper 2 question, plus Group 2 thermal stability on Paper 4.
- Atoms, bonding and stoichiometry · about 11% of the marksAtomic structure, moles, bonding and gases are AS topics 1 to 4: about a quarter of Paper 1 and one full Paper 2 question, with no direct A Level paper share (our estimate; Cambridge publishes no marks per topic).
- Transition elements · about 7% of the marksTransition elements is one large A Level topic (28): Paper 4 almost always has a 12 to 15 mark question on complexes, colour, isomerism and a redox titration.
- Analytical techniques · about 7% of the marksInfrared and mass spectra at AS; proton and carbon-13 NMR and chromatography at A Level, usually one Paper 4 structure deduction of about 10 marks.
Questions
What topics come up most in A Level Chemistry (Cambridge 9701)?
Our prediction: Organic chemistry and synthesis (about 27% of the marks), Energetics and electrochemistry (about 18% of the marks), Equilibria and reaction kinetics (about 18% of the marks). The full list with the reason for each is at the top of this page.
When is the A Level Chemistry (Cambridge 9701) exam?
A Level is sat May to June; Cambridge also sits October to November, and February to March in India. Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International publishes the exact timetable for each sitting; check it for your paper's date.
How many papers are there, and how long are they?
3 papers: Paper 1: Multiple Choice (1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks); Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions (1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks); Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions (2 hours, 100 marks). That is 4 hours 30 minutes and 200 marks in all.
Can I use a calculator?
In this format a calculator is allowed in every paper. Check your board's current rules before the exam.
Are these the real A Level Chemistry (Cambridge 9701) papers?
No. They are predicted papers written by us in the real format, with original questions, not copies of past papers. Use them alongside the official past papers and specimen papers from Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International.
Is it free?
Yes. The outline, the predictions and the first questions are open to everyone; every paper, the answers and the mark scheme are free with a Knomi account.
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