Edexcel A Level Chemistry specification (9CHO)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel A Level Chemistry exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel A Level Chemistry specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel A Level Chemistry (9CHO) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Edexcel A Level Chemistry specification aims to inspire students to engage actively with chemical principles and practical science. It provides a context-based approach, linking chemistry to real-world applications in health, industry, and the environment. The qualification supports the development of investigative and evaluative skills through practical endorsement and examination-based assessment. It enables learners to build foundational understanding while progressing towards complex theories in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. The course encourages analytical thinking and prepares students for higher education or employment in scientific and technical fields.
Subject content breakdown
Topic 1: Atomic structure and the Periodic Table
- Subatomic particles, atomic models
- Ionisation energy and periodic trends
Topic 2: Bonding and structure
- Ionic, covalent, metallic bonding
- Electronegativity, intermolecular forces, molecular shapes
Topic 3: Redox I
- Oxidation states and redox reactions
- Disproportionation and electron transfer
Topic 4: Inorganic chemistry and the Periodic Table
- Group 2 and Group 7 properties and reactions
- Period 3 oxides and chlorides
Topic 5: Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
- Moles, equations, titrations, atom economy and yields
Topic 6: Organic chemistry I
- Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, halogenoalkanes
- Mechanisms: free radical, electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution
Topic 7: Modern analytical techniques I
- Infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry
Topic 8: Energetics I
- Enthalpy changes, calorimetry
- Hess’s Law
Topic 9: Kinetics I
- Collision theory, factors affecting rate
Topic 10: Equilibrium I
- Dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s principle
Topic 11: Equilibrium II
- Equilibrium constants (Kc)
Topic 12: Acid-base equilibria
- pH calculations, strong and weak acids/bases
- Buffers and titration curves
Topic 13: Energetics II
- Lattice enthalpy, Born–Haber cycles
- Entropy and Gibbs free energy
Topic 14: Redox II
- Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
Topic 15: Transition metals
- Properties, complex ions, ligand substitution, catalysis
Topic 16: Kinetics II
- Rate equations, orders of reaction, initial rates, rate-determining step
Topic 17: Organic chemistry II
- Aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, acyl chlorides
- Mechanisms: nucleophilic addition and acylation
Topic 18: Organic chemistry III
- Amines, aromatic compounds, polymers, amino acids, proteins, DNA
Topic 19: Modern analytical techniques II
- NMR spectroscopy (1H and 13C)
- Chromatography
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks
- Covers Topics 1–5 and 8–12
- Mixture of multiple-choice, short and extended response questions
- 30% of total qualification
Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry
- 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks
- Covers Topics 1–4 and 5, and 6–9, 13–19
- Mixture of multiple-choice, short and extended response questions
- 30% of total qualification
Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry
- 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks
- Synoptic assessment of all topics
- Includes questions assessing understanding of experimental methods
- 40% of total qualification
Practical Endorsement
- Separate, teacher-assessed pass/fail component
- Minimum of 12 core practicals required
Assesses competence in planning, implementing, analysing and evaluating
- Calculators are allowed in all papers
- Emphasis on application, analysis and practical understanding
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel A Level Chemistry isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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