What is A Level Chemistry?

In over fifteen years of teaching Chemistry, I’ve seen A Level Chemistry stretch and challenge students like no other subject. It demands focus, resilience, and a willingness to think in new ways. But I’ve also seen it transform students’ confidence and open doors they never imagined, from securing places on competitive university courses to discovering a genuine passion for science they hadn’t realised they had.

What makes A Level Chemistry so special is that it doesn’t just give you knowledge, it trains your mind to think critically, analyse problems logically, and explain complex ideas with clarity. These are skills that last far beyond the exam hall. Whether you go on to study medicine, engineering, or even something outside of science, the ability to approach problems methodically and to back up your reasoning with evidence is invaluable.

What will you study in A Level Chemistry?

Key topics (common across most exam boards)

No matter which exam board you study, you’ll cover these core areas of Chemistry. Each one builds on the foundations of GCSE and IGCSE and takes your understanding to a new level:

Atomic structure and periodic trends

• You’ll dig deeper into:

  • How atoms are built: protons, neutrons, electrons, and electron configurations

  • Why elements behave in predictable patterns across the Periodic Table.

• This is where you learn not just that sodium reacts violently in water, but why its outer electron makes it so reactive compared to magnesium.

• Understanding these patterns sets you up for the rest of the course.

Bonding and molecular structure

• Most atoms don’t exist in isolation, they bond to form molecules and giant structures. 

• At A Level, you’ll go beyond the basics of ionic and covalent bonding into more complex ideas like:

  • Bond polarity

  • Intermolecular forces

  • Molecular shapes

• In my classes, I often get students to build shapes with modelling balloons so they can see how electron pairs arrange themselves. It’s a great way to make abstract bonding theories feel concrete, and it shows just how visual Chemistry can be.

Redox reactions and energetics

• Redox (reduction and oxidation) is everywhere: in rusting, batteries, respiration, and even rocket fuel. 

• You’ll learn to spot electron transfers and use half-equations to describe them clearly.

• Energetics introduces the maths of Chemistry, calculating enthalpy changes, applying Hess’s Law, and understanding why some reactions happen spontaneously. 

• It’s the science of energy flow, and it connects Chemistry to real-world processes.

Kinetics and equilibrium

• Why do some reactions happen in milliseconds while others take centuries? 

• Kinetics teaches you how to measure and influence reaction rates, while equilibrium explores the balance between forward and backward reactions. 

• You’ll apply Le Chatelier’s Principle to predict what happens when conditions change, from industrial ammonia production in the Haber process to reactions inside your own body.

Organic Chemistry (functional groups and mechanisms)

• This is often the toughest but most rewarding part of A Level Chemistry and one of my favourite areas.

• You’ll learn about the chemistry of carbon, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and beyond and how to predict their reactions using mechanisms. 

• At first, the curly arrows can feel overwhelming, but once the patterns click, Organic Chemistry becomes like solving a logical puzzle. 

• It’s also one of the most important areas for students going into medicine, biochemistry, or pharmaceuticals.

Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry

• This topic shows you how, with techniques like infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry.

• You’ll learn to “read” a spectrum like a detective, identifying functional groups and piecing together structures from data.

• It’s real-world science that links directly to research, forensics, and industry.

Thermodynamics and transition metals

• These advanced topics (especially common in OCR specifications) stretch your understanding further. 

• Thermodynamics looks at the deep principles behind energy changes, entropy, and feasibility of reactions, concepts that underpin chemical industry and physical chemistry research. 

• Transition metals, on the other hand, introduce colourful chemistry: 

  • Why most copper compounds are blue

  • How and why catalysts work

  • How variable oxidation states make these elements so versatile.

For a detailed breakdown of each topic, check out our comprehensive A Level Chemistry topics guide.

Practical skills and Required Practicals

A Level Chemistry isn’t just about theory; you'll spend plenty of time in the lab too. Depending on your course, you’ll complete around 12 required practicals. These aren’t just random experiments; they’re carefully designed to develop your hands-on skills and deepen your understanding of the theory.

The Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) means your teacher will assess your lab skills as you go, checking things like accuracy in measurement, safe use of equipment, and how well you record and analyse results. You’ll learn proper techniques for preparing solutions, carrying out titrations, heating substances safely, and collecting reliable data.

These practical skills don’t just stay in the lab. They’re directly tested in your written exams. Many questions are based on the exact experiments you’ll have carried out, so that hands-on experience becomes incredibly valuable when tackling the paper.

You can find resources to support your practicals here:

• AQA A Level:

  • Physical Chemistry Practical Skills (AS)

  • Organic & Inorganic Chemistry Practical Skills (AS)

  • Physical Chemistry Practical Skills (AL) 

  • Inorganic Chemistry Practical Skills (AL)

  • Organic Chemistry Practical Skills (AL)

• Edexcel A Level:

  • Physical Chemistry Core Practicals 

  • Inorganic & Organic Chemistry Core Practicals

  • Advanced Physical Chemistry Core Practicals

  • Advanced Inorganic & Organic Chemistry Core Practicals

• OCR A Level:

  • Physical PAGs

  • Organic & Inorganic PAGs

  • Further Organic & Inorganic PAGs

  • Further Physical PAGs

How is A Level Chemistry assessed?

The assessment structure varies depending on your exam board and is summarised below:

What skills do you need for A Level Chemistry?

Let’s be honest, A Level Chemistry does demand a specific set of skills. But don’t panic if you don’t feel confident in all of them yet. Most students grow these abilities as they go through the course, and with practice they become second nature.

Logical reasoning and attention to detail

• Chemistry follows clear patterns and rules. 

• Success often comes from spotting those patterns, whether in the Periodic Table, reaction mechanisms, or data, and applying them in new situations. 

Confidence with algebra, equations, and calculations

• You don’t need to take A Level Maths to succeed in Chemistry, but you should feel comfortable with core GCSE maths skills like:

  • Rearranging equations

  • Working with ratios

  • Interpreting graphs. 

• Many students struggle because they shy away from the calculations, but once you break them down step by step, they’re much more manageable.

Memorising and applying facts and mechanisms

• There’s no escaping it! 

• Chemistry comes with a fair amount of content to learn. 

• But the real skill lies in applying those facts to unfamiliar problems. 

Structured scientific writing and analysis

• You’ll need to explain complex ideas logically, use the right scientific vocabulary, and evaluate experimental evidence. 

• This might sound daunting, but it’s a skill that improves rapidly once you practise writing out full exam answers.

Nobody walks into A Level Chemistry with all these skills perfected. The course is designed to help you build them step by step. With steady practice, most students find their problem-solving sharpens, their maths confidence grows, and their explanations become much more precise.

How hard is A Level Chemistry compared to other A Levels?

This is probably the question you’re most curious about: Is A Level Chemistry hard?

Chemistry is consistently ranked as one of the more challenging A Levels. That said, every year, thousands of students earn A and A* grades in Chemistry. This is proof that with the right approach, success is absolutely possible.

How does Chemistry compare with other subjects?

• Biology: Chemistry has less memorising, but you’ll need to be comfortable with more maths and problem-solving.

• Physics: Chemistry uses less advanced maths, but you’ll need to learn and apply more facts.

• Mathematics: Chemistry is generally more accessible but requires a wider mix of skills, such as logical thinking, practical work, and memorising.

Throughout my years of teaching, I’ve never seen a student succeed without some hard work. The ones who do best are the ones who:

• Keep practising

• Ask for help when they need it

• Build their skills step by step 

If you approach it with curiosity and consistency, you will get there.

Study tips for A Level Chemistry

Use visual tools to master mechanisms and pathways

Organic mechanisms can look like spaghetti at first, but they're actually logical sequences. Spend time getting familiar with the patterns and the movement of the electrons to break and form new bonds. Draw them out repeatedly and use colours to show electron movement.

An example of an organic reaction mechanism (elimination)

Practice questions often (especially calculations!)

Chemistry calculations follow predictable patterns once you've seen enough examples. Start with simple questions and gradually work up to complex multi-step problems. Don't just read through worked examples, actually do the calculations yourself. 

Some of the calculations you will encounter towards the end of the course are complex, so make sure you spend time practising the basics such as:

• Calculating the number of moles

• Volume and concentration calculations 

• Empirical formula

Don't ignore the practical work

Lab confidence builds exam confidence in ways you might not expect.

When you've actually seen magnesium burning or measured the pH of different solutions, the exam questions become much more meaningful.

Take photos of your practical results or even video the method (with your teacher's permission) to help you remember key parts of the process and any observations.

Learn the mark scheme language

Examiners use very specific command words in A Level Chemistry questions, and understanding them is key to unlocking marks. For example:

• “Describe” means to state the key features without going into reasons.

• “Explain” means to say why something happens, linking it to scientific principles.

• “Evaluate” means weigh up the evidence, compare alternatives, and reach a justified conclusion.

Learning this exam language can instantly sharpen your technique, because you’ll know exactly how much detail the examiner is expecting. Each exam board provides its own list of command words, so it’s worth keeping these handy when you’re practising past papers.

• AQA (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel (opens in a new tab)

• OCR A (opens in a new tab)

For more tips and information, check out this article on ‘How to get an A in A level Chemistry’

Is A Level Chemistry right for you?

Here's a quick self-assessment to help you decide:

• Do I enjoy solving puzzles and applying logic? 

  • Chemistry is essentially problem-solving with atoms and molecules.

• Can I handle mathematical reasoning? 

  • You'll need confidence with calculations and interpreting graphs.

• Am I aiming for a science or healthcare-related degree? 

  • Many university courses specifically require A Level Chemistry.

• Am I comfortable working independently? 

  • Much of your learning will happen through personal study and practice.

• Do I find the natural world fascinating? 

  • Chemistry explains how everything around us works at a molecular level.

If you answered yes to most of these questions, A Level Chemistry could be perfect for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do A Level Chemistry without A Level Maths?

Yes, absolutely. While A Level Maths can be helpful, it’s not essential. What you do need is confidence with your GCSE or IGCSE Maths skills, especially algebra, rearranging equations, logarithms, and interpreting graphs. Many successful Chemistry students never take A Level Maths, but they practise the mathematical side of Chemistry regularly to build fluency

What careers can A Level Chemistry lead to?

The career possibilities are huge. Alongside traditional chemistry fields like pharmaceutical research, chemical engineering, and forensic science, Chemistry is also a gateway subject for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and environmental science. Beyond science, the problem-solving and analytical skills you develop can even lead into areas like materials science, patent law, finance, and science communication or journalism.

What is the hardest topic in A Level Chemistry?

I have found that most students initially find organic mechanisms the most challenging. The need to memorise reactions while also applying them logically to unfamiliar molecules can feel overwhelming at first. But once the patterns click, organic chemistry often becomes a favourite topic because of how logical and rewarding it is.

Other areas that students often struggle with include thermodynamics and kinetics calculations, both require a good grasp of maths and the ability to apply principles carefully. With practice and step-by-step revision, these topics become much more manageable.

How many hours should I revise per week?

In my experience, the students who do best in A Level Chemistry are the ones who regularly revisit topics they’ve already covered instead of leaving everything until the last minute. Setting aside 2–4 hours a week for steady revision long before exam season makes a huge difference to confidence and results.

At the start of Year 13, I often ask my classes: “What advice would you give someone about to begin A Level Chemistry?” The answer is always the same: “Learn your facts and equations as you go, and keep practising the calculations.”

And remember, when it comes to revision, quality matters more than quantity. Two hours of focused, active practice will always beat four hours of passive reading.

Final thoughts

A Level Chemistry is a demanding course, but it is one that repays that effort many times over. You will emerge not just with a qualification, but with a new way of seeing the world and the intellectual toolkit to succeed in any challenging academic environment. It is a commitment to excellence and a definitive step towards a future at the forefront of science and innovation.

To succeed, you need to build strong study habits from the start. Don’t forget online resources, either. Save My Exams is packed with tools designed to support your learning across your A Level Chemistry Course, you can:

• Review key topics with our revision notes

• Practise targeted questions using exam questions

• Test your recall with digital flashcards

• Work through full practice papers and mock exams

Building a habit of using these tools will give you a real advantage. That’s what smart preparation looks like.

References

• A Level Chemistry topics

• How to get an A in A level Chemistry

• Is A Level Chemistry hard?

• AQA command words (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel - A guide to command words by question type (opens in a new tab)

• OCR A command verbs (opens in a new tab)

• AQA A level Specification (opens in a new tab)

• OCR (A) A Level Specification (opens in a new tab)  

• Edexcel A Level Specification (opens in a new tab)