specification overview
Edexcel A-Level Chemistry (9CH0) is a two-year linear qualification covering 19 topics across physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. Papers 1 and 2 focus on specific strands (30% each), and Paper 3 is a synoptic 40% paper drawing content from anywhere on the specification. Students complete 16 core practicals plus a separate Science Practical Endorsement (Pass/Fail).
subject content
1-5. Foundations (year 1)
Papers 1, 2- Atomic structure and the Periodic Table
- Bonding and structure
- Redox I; inorganic chemistry and the Periodic Table
- Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
6-9. Organic chemistry I, energetics I, kinetics I (year 1)
Papers 1, 2- Organic Chemistry I; Modern Analytical Techniques I
- Energetics I
- Kinetics I
10-15. Physical and inorganic chemistry (year 2)
Paper 1- Equilibrium I and II
- Acid-base equilibria
- Energetics II (lattice energy, entropy, Gibbs)
- Redox II
- Transition metals
16-19. Organic and analytical chemistry (year 2)
Paper 2- Kinetics II
- Organic Chemistry II and III
- Modern Analytical Techniques II (including NMR)
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: topics 1-5, 8, 10-15 | 1h 45m | 90 | 30% | Multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended writing |
| Paper 2 | Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry: topics 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19 | 1h 45m | 90 | 30% | Multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended writing |
| Paper 3 | General and Practical Principles in Chemistry: synoptic questions drawing on any topic, with strong focus on the core practicals | 2h 30m | 120 | 40% | Short open, open-response, calculations, extended writing plus experimental-methods questions |
Paper 3 is worth more than Papers 1 or 2 (40%) and is synoptic across the whole spec, with a heavy focus on the 16 core practicals. Treat it as a distinct revision task rather than a top-up.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. | 31-33% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in theoretical and practical contexts, including handling qualitative and quantitative data. | 41-43% |
| AO3 | Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence to make judgements, reach conclusions and refine practical design and procedures. | 25-27% |
required practicals
| Practical | What it involves |
|---|---|
| CP1 Molar volume of a gas | Measure the molar volume of a gas. |
| CP2 Standard solution and titration of NaOH | Prepare a standard solution from a solid acid and use it to find the concentration of a solution of sodium hydroxide. |
| CP3 Concentration of HCl solution | Find the concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid. |
| CP4 Rates of hydrolysis of halogenoalkanes | Investigation of the rates of hydrolysis of some halogenoalkanes. |
| CP5 Oxidation of ethanol | The oxidation of ethanol (production of an aldehyde and a carboxylic acid using distillation and reflux). |
| CP6 Chlorination of 2-methylpropan-2-ol | Chlorination of 2-methylpropan-2-ol using concentrated hydrochloric acid. |
| CP7 Analysis of inorganic and organic unknowns | Analysis of some inorganic and organic unknowns (qualitative tests including flame tests, precipitate reactions and functional-group tests). |
| CP8 Enthalpy change using Hess's Law | To determine the enthalpy change of a reaction using Hess's Law. |
| CP9 Ka of a weak acid | Finding the Ka value for a weak acid. |
| CP10 Investigating electrochemical cells | Investigating some electrochemical cells (setting up half-cells and measuring cell potentials). |
| CP11 Redox titration | Carry out a redox titration (for example Fe2+/MnO4- or I2/S2O3^2-). |
| CP12 Preparation of a transition metal complex | The preparation of a transition metal complex. |
| CP13 Rates of reaction (iodine-propanone and clock reaction) | CP13a and CP13b: rates of reaction, following the iodine-propanone reaction by a titrimetric method and investigating a clock reaction (Harcourt-Essen, iodine clock). |
| CP14 Activation energy of a reaction | Finding the activation energy of a reaction. |
| CP15 Analysis of inorganic and organic unknowns | Analysis of some inorganic and organic unknowns (organic-focused qualitative analysis at year 2 level). |
| CP16 Preparation of aspirin | The preparation of aspirin, including reflux, recrystallisation and melting-temperature determination. |
key tips for success
Prioritise Paper 3
Paper 3 is worth 40% and draws on everything, with heavy practical focus. Practise synoptic questions and core-practical scenarios throughout year 2.
Master the 16 core practicals
Practical-context questions come up on all three papers plus feed the Practical Endorsement. Learn method, apparatus and expected results for each.
Build maths fluency
At least 20% of marks across the papers target maths at Level 2 or above. Practise moles, Kc/Kp, buffer pH, Gibbs, and enthalpy calculations.
Learn organic mechanisms
Nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, aromatic substitution mechanisms all appear. Practise drawing full mechanisms with correctly-placed curly arrows.
Interpret spectra confidently
Modern Analytical Techniques I and II cover mass spec, IR and NMR. Practise identifying compounds from combined-spectra questions.
Track Practical Endorsement
Assessed continuously through year. Some university science courses require a Pass, so check in with your teacher regularly.
Where to next
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