Is GCSE Chemistry Hard?: A Teacher’s Perspective
Written by: Philippa Platt
Reviewed by: Richard Boole
Published
Contents
If you're feeling apprehensive about GCSE Chemistry, you're not alone. As a teacher, tutor and examiner with over 15 years of experience, I've guided many students through the challenges of this subject. In this article, we'll explore what makes GCSE Chemistry hard and, more importantly, how you can overcome these hurdles to succeed.
So, Is GCSE Chemistry Hard?
Like any subject, GCSE Chemistry comes with its own challenges, but knowing what those are is the first step to overcoming them. From invisible particles to tricky calculations and hands-on practical work, Chemistry can sometimes feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, and these difficulties are completely normal.
According to Ofqual’s 2023 Inter-Subject Comparability Report, GCSE Chemistry sits around the middle in terms of statistical difficulty when compared with other GCSE subjects. Using data from 2019, 2022, and 2023, Ofqual analysed how difficult it is to achieve a Grade 9 in each subject using the Rasch model.
This places Chemistry as neither the easiest nor the hardest subject. This means that students with a solid revision strategy and good support have a realistic chance of doing well, even at the higher grades.
Graph showing grade 9 difficulty for different subjects
What Makes GCSE Chemistry Difficult?
GCSE Chemistry can seem daunting at first, especially because it involves abstract ideas and requires some confidence with maths. But with regular practice, the right revision tools, and a positive approach, I have found that students find it becomes not only manageable, but genuinely rewarding.
Let’s explore what some students find challenging about Chemistry, and why these hurdles are entirely possible to overcome.
Abstract Concepts
Chemistry delves into the microscopic world of atoms and molecules, which can be hard to visualise. Examiner reports have highlighted that students often struggle with topics like atomic structure and bonding. For instance, in the 2023 Edexcel exam, many candidates stumbled when asked to determine the number of neutrons in an isotope. This indicates a gap in understanding fundamental concepts.
Mathematical Components
A significant portion of Chemistry involves calculations, from balancing equations to determining molar masses. The 2023 examiner reports noted that students frequently made errors in multi-step calculations, such as converting units or applying formulas correctly.
Practical Skills
Practical experiments are central to Chemistry, but students often find them challenging. For example, accurately reading measurements or understanding the steps of a titration can be problematic. Examiner feedback from 2023 highlighted that many students struggled with interpreting practical results and applying them to theoretical knowledge.
How to Overcome the Challenges of GCSE Chemistry
While GCSE Chemistry has its tricky parts, I have found with my students there are tried-and-tested ways to make things easier. Whether you're struggling with abstract ideas, complex calculations, or practical work, here’s how to make real progress.
Use Visuals to Bring Chemistry to Life
One of the biggest challenges in Chemistry is understanding things you can’t actually see — like atoms, ions, or the forces between them. That’s why visual resources, like the animated explainer videos on Save My Exams, are so useful.
For example, the electronic configuration video here doesn’t just show the layout of protons, neutrons and electrons, it explains why those particles are arranged that way. It also explores how this links to periodic trends and chemical behaviour. This Group 1 video not only demonstrates the reactions, but shows the trend down the group, which is a key exam point.
Rather than just copying out diagrams from a textbook, aim to interact with them. When you watch a video on comparing ionic & covalent compounds, pause to ask: why is the lattice structured that way? Or how does this relate to the substance’s melting point?
Understand your exam
Exam questions can also be a common challenge in GCSE Chemistry. That’s why it’s essential to understand your exam board’s approach, whether it’s AQA, Edexcel, or OCR.
Each board has its own preferred structure for certain question types, especially when it comes to calculation questions, extended responses, or practical-based scenarios. For example, Edexcel often like to ask students to show or prove an answer for a calculation. Hard Q10c in this topic asks students to ‘show that the aluminium is in excess’ for this particular reaction.
Chemistry exams often include subject-specific command words like "describe," "explain," "evaluate," or "calculate". Knowing exactly what each of these is asking for can make a huge difference. In fact, examiners regularly point out that students who misunderstand these instructions often lose marks. This isn’t because they don’t know the content, but because they haven’t answered the question as intended.
Also, make sure you use chemistry specific terminology. Mastering keywords like “endothermic,” “precipitate,” or “mole” can be the difference between a mid-grade and a top one.
Practice Chemistry Maths Little and Often
Chemistry calculations don’t have to be scary, they just need regular practice. Try working through mole calculations, concentration formulas, or energy change equations a few times a week. For example, if you’re learning how to calculate the number of moles using mass and relative molecular mass (moles = mass / Mr), start with simple values and gradually increase difficulty.
Here is an example of a question from AQA GCSE June 2022 Paper 1 (Higher) 8462/1H (QP)
This question is an example of a challenging calculation in chemistry
Students find this challenging as it involves:
Understanding a balanced equation
Multiple steps
Unit conversions
Examiner reports often highlight errors where students mix up units or forget to convert cm3 to dm3 (for example, dividing by 1000 in titration questions). Practising these step-by-step with exam questions on Save My Exams can make a huge difference. Have a go at some amount of substance exam questions - links are below for each exam board:
Make the Most of Practical Work
Chemistry isn’t just about learning facts, it’s also about doing. Practical skills like titration, chromatography, and testing for gases come up frequently in exams. One common mistake mentioned in the 2023 examiner reports was misreading the meniscus in a burette during titrations, which led to incorrect results.
To avoid this, always take your time in the lab and ask questions if you’re unsure. After each experiment, write a quick summary of what you did and what you found out. This helps link the practical to the theory. If you’re revising at home, use past paper questions that describe experiments and ask you to interpret results, this builds your confidence for the real thing. Save My Exams has extensive notes and images on practical investigations for each GCSE course. These give clear methods as well as practical tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Hard Is It to Get a 9 in GCSE chemistry?
Achieving a Grade 9 in GCSE Chemistry is undoubtedly challenging, but it's possible with the right approach and resources. Students aiming for top grades should focus on mastering the specification content, practising exam-style questions, and developing strong exam techniques. Utilising resources like revision notes, past papers, and topic-specific questions can significantly enhance understanding and performance.
Is GCSE Chemistry Hard to Pass?
While GCSE Chemistry can be complex, most students can pass the subject with consistent effort and effective study strategies. Regular revision, understanding core concepts, and practising application through exam questions are key. Resources such as flashcards and concise revision notes can aid in reinforcing knowledge and building confidence.
Is Chemistry a Good Option for GCSE?
Chemistry is a core part of the GCSE curriculum for all students in England, whether you’re studying Combined Science or Triple (Separate) Science. As one of the three sciences, it plays a key role in helping students develop critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and analytical skills that are valuable in everyday life and essential for science-related careers.
If you’re taking Combined Science, your Chemistry content will be assessed as part of a broader Science qualification that also includes Physics and Biology. If you're in the Triple Science (also called Separate Sciences) pathway, you’ll study GCSE Chemistry as a standalone subject and receive a separate grade for it.
Most exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, offer Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and Higher Tier (grades 4–9) papers. Your school will help decide which tier is most appropriate based on your progress and target grade.
Boost Your Confidence With Save My Exams
Feeling stressed ahead of your exams? Join over 1.5 million students who use Save My Exams, the leading online revision platform.
On average, students who use Save My Exams improve by two grades thanks to our comprehensive resources. From past papers and revision notes to exam-style questions tailored to your specific course, our revision tools help you to study smarter, not harder.
Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content you need.
Explore Our GCSE Chemistry Revision Resources
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