Chemistry
A Level
Exam Board: AQA
Subject Leader: Mrs E Flint
Chemistry is an active and exciting discipline which dominates all our lives. It acts as an interface between the atomic and subatomic world of the Physicist and the molecular world of the Biologist. It also embraces aspects of Engineering, Geography and Art.
How is the course organised and assessed?
Our A Level Chemistry course teaches its students through a variety of techniques, including group practical work, individual practical work, student presentations, modelling, and data handling. The students are examined on the knowledge they have gained at the end of the two years, taking three separate exam papers.
Paper 1 – 105 marks (35%) — Covers physical chemistry (atomic structure, moles, bonding, energetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium), inorganic chemistry (periodicity, group 2, group 7, period 3, transition metals) and practical skills and is made up of a written exam consisting of short and long answer questions.
Paper 2 – 105 marks (35%) — Covers physical chemistry (moles, kinetics, energetics, rate equations), organic chemistry (alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, isomerism, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, polymers, amino acids) and practical skills and is also made up of a written exam consisting of short and long answer questions.
Paper 3 – 90 marks (30%) — Covers any content from across both previous papers and is made up of multiple choice questions from across the specification with questions on practical techniques as well.
What's next?
Students who take Chemistry A Level gain a pathway to many careers ranging from Business, Journalism and Science, all the way to Medicine, Veterinary Science, Chemical Engineering and Forensic Science.