# A Level Chemistry (9701) tutoring online

> Our A Level Chemistry tutors teach Cambridge International 9701, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (units WCH11 to WCH16), AQA 7405, Pearson Edexcel 9CH0 and OCR Chemistry A H432. Live 1:1 or small-group online classes work through physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, with regular practice on calculations, mechanisms and practical papers.

Source: https://www.gradeupinternational.com/a-level/chemistry
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Publisher: GradeUp International (https://www.gradeupinternational.com/)

Taught by: [Waseem Abbas](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/waseem-abbas), [Nimra Muqadas](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/nimra-muqadas).

A Level Chemistry is required or strongly preferred for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science and chemical engineering, and it supports biochemistry, natural sciences and materials degrees. It extends IGCSE, O Level or GCSE Chemistry in three directions at once: deeper physical chemistry with quantitative reasoning, systematic inorganic trends across the periodic table, and organic synthesis built on reaction mechanisms. Students applying to medical schools often take it alongside Biology and either Maths or Physics.

Cambridge 9701 follows the same five-paper pattern as the other Cambridge sciences, so AS students sit multiple choice, structured questions and a practical exam, and A Level adds a long theory paper and a planning paper. Pearson's International A Level splits the content into six units across January, June and October series. In the UK, AQA, Edexcel 9CH0 and OCR H432 are assessed linearly in three papers, with practical skills reported separately as a pass or not classified.

Organic mechanisms are the biggest challenge for most students: curly arrows must start from a lone pair or bond and finish precisely on an atom. Mole calculations across several steps, equilibrium constants with units, and electrochemical cells also cause repeated errors. Inorganic chemistry looks like memorisation but rewards explanation, for example linking trends to ionic radius or charge density. Our tutors teach mechanisms as patterns rather than lists and set multistep calculations every week.

## How is A Level Chemistry examined?

### Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 31% of AS Level / 15.5% of A Level |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | 1 hour 15 minutes | 60 | 46% of AS Level / 23% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | 2 hours | 40 | 23% of AS Level / 11.5% of A Level |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | 2 hours | 100 | 38.5% of A Level |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | 1 hour 15 minutes | 30 | 11.5% of A Level |

2025–2027 syllabus. AS Level: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers. Series: May/June and October/November.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-chemistry-9701/

### Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Chemistry (YCH11), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unit 1 (WCH11): Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 2 (WCH12): Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 3 (WCH13): Practical Skills in Chemistry I | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 20% of IAS / 10% of IAL |
| Unit 4 (WCH14): Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 5 (WCH15): Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 6 (WCH16): Practical Skills in Chemistry II | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 10% of IAL |

Units available in January, June and October. The IAS comprises Units 1–3.

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/chemistry-2018.html

### AQA A-level Chemistry (7405), AQA

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1 | 2 hours | 105 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours | 105 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 3 | 2 hours | 90 | 30% of A Level |

Linear: all exams in May/June of one year.

Official syllabus: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/chemistry/a-level/chemistry-7405/specification

### Pearson Edexcel A Level Chemistry (9CH0), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry | 2 hours 30 minutes | 120 | 40% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/chemistry-2015.html

### OCR A Level Chemistry A (H432), OCR

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Synthesis and analytical techniques | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Unified chemistry | 1 hour 30 minutes | 70 | 26% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015/

## What topics are in A Level Chemistry?

- Atomic structure and electron configuration: Writing the 4s and 3d order incorrectly for transition metal ions such as Fe³⁺.
- Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry: Using the wrong mole ratio from an unbalanced equation in a titration calculation.
- Chemical bonding and states of matter: Explaining boiling points with 'stronger bonds' when intermolecular forces are being broken.
- Chemical energetics and electrochemistry: Reversing the sign of an enthalpy change when rearranging a Hess cycle.
- Equilibria and reaction kinetics: Including solids or omitting units when writing Kc or Kp expressions.
- The Periodic Table, Group 2 and Group 17: Describing a trend without explaining it in terms of atomic radius or shielding.
- Nitrogen and sulfur: Forgetting the environmental consequence when asked about oxides of nitrogen.
- Hydrocarbons, halogen and hydroxy compounds: Drawing curly arrows from an atom rather than from a lone pair or a bond.
- Carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and nitrogen compounds: Naming the reagent but omitting the conditions, such as heat under reflux.
- Polymerisation and organic synthesis: Drawing a condensation polymer repeat unit without removing the water molecule.
- Analytical techniques: mass spectrometry, IR and NMR: Assigning a proton NMR splitting pattern using the n rule incorrectly.
- Chemistry of transition elements: Not linking colour to d-orbital splitting and absorbed, rather than transmitted, light.

## How do you get top marks?

- Show every step of multistage mole calculations with units, so method marks survive an early arithmetic slip.
- Practise drawing mechanisms neatly: dipoles, lone pairs, curly arrows and the intermediate all carry marks.
- When asked for reagents, always add conditions such as temperature, catalyst, concentration or reflux.
- Learn the standard colours and observations for inorganic tests; 'it changes colour' rarely earns credit.
- In practical-planning questions, state quantities and apparatus precisely, for example a 25.0 cm³ volumetric pipette.

## Fees

1:1: PKR 3,500 / AED 140 / GBP 28 per 60-minute class. Small group: PKR 12,500 per month. [All currencies](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/pricing).

## Frequently asked questions

### How can I get an A* in A Level Chemistry?

An A* in A Level Chemistry depends on secure calculation skills, accurate organic mechanisms and plenty of timed past-paper practice marked against official schemes. Build flashcards for reagents, conditions and observations, then test yourself regularly. Practise practical and planning questions early, because they reward specific detail. Reviewing your errors after every paper turns repeated mistakes into marks gained.

### Is A Level Chemistry harder than A Level Biology?

Many students find A Level Chemistry harder than Biology because it relies more on calculations and abstract models, whereas Biology relies more on detailed recall and extended writing. The difficulty depends on your strengths: students comfortable with maths often prefer Chemistry. Both subjects have demanding practical and data-analysis components, and both reward consistent revision over the full course.

### Do I need A Level Chemistry for medicine?

Most UK and many international medical schools require A Level Chemistry, usually alongside Biology or another science. A few accept Biology with another science instead, but Chemistry remains the most common requirement. Entry rules vary between universities and change from year to year, so always check each medical school's published entry requirements before choosing your subjects.

### What is the hardest topic in A Level Chemistry?

Students most often name organic mechanisms, electrochemistry and equilibrium calculations as the hardest A Level Chemistry topics. Mechanisms demand precise curly-arrow notation, electrochemistry involves cell potentials and sign conventions, and equilibria require careful algebra with units. Spaced practice, worked examples and regular mixed-topic questions make each of these far more manageable.

### Which A Level subjects go well with Chemistry?

Biology, Mathematics and Physics are the most common subjects taken with A Level Chemistry. Biology with Chemistry suits medicine, pharmacy and biomedical science, while Maths and Physics with Chemistry suit chemical engineering and natural sciences. The right mix depends on your intended degree, so compare the entry requirements of several universities before choosing.