Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 Syllabus, Content , Assessment and Routes for 2025, 2026 and 2027
Assessment
Ruzbeh
ShafaCambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) Syllabus Overview
Content overview
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Chemistry study the following topics:
- Atomic structure
- Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
- Chemical bonding
- States of matter
- Chemical energetics
- Electrochemistry
- Equilibria
- Reaction kinetics
- The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
- Group 2
- Group 17
- Nitrogen and sulfur
- An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry
- Hydrocarbons
- Halogen compounds
- Hydroxy compounds
- Carbonyl compounds
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- Nitrogen compounds
- Polymerisation
- Organic synthesis
- Analytical techniques
AS Level candidates also study practical skills.
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Chemistry study the AS topics and the following topics:
- Chemical energetics
- Electrochemistry
- Equilibria
- Reaction kinetics
- Group 2
- Chemistry of transition elements
- An introduction to A Level organic chemistry
- Hydrocarbons
- Halogen compounds
- Hydroxy compounds
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- Nitrogen compounds
- Polymerisation
- Organic synthesis
- Analytical techniques
A Level candidates also study practical skills.
School feedback: ‘Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepare students well for university because they’ve learnt to go into a subject in considerable depth. There’s that ability to really understand the depth and richness and the detail of a subject. It’s a wonderful preparation for what they are going to face at university.’
Feedback from: US Higher Education Advisory Council
Assessment overview
Multiple Choice
1 hour 15 minutes
- 40 marks
- 40 multiple-choice questions
- Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus content.
- Externally assessed
- 31% of the AS Level
- 15.5% of the A Level
Paper 2
AS Level Structured Questions
1 hour 15 minutes
- 60 marks
- Structured questions
- Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus content.
- Externally assessed
- 46% of the AS Level
- 23% of the A Level
Advanced Practical Skills
2 hours
- 40 marks
- Practical work and structured questions
- Questions are based on the experimental skills in the Practical assessment section of the syllabus.
- Externally assessed
- 23% of the AS Level
- 11.5% of the A Level
A Level Structured Questions
2 hours
- 100 marks
- Structured questions
- Questions are based on the A Level syllabus content; knowledge of material from the AS Level syllabus content will be required.
- Externally assessed
- 38.5% of the A Level
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
1 hour 15 minutes
- 30 marks
- Questions are based on the experimental skills of planning, analysis and evaluation.
- The context of the questions may be outside the syllabus content.
- Externally assessed
- 11.5% of the A Level
There are three routes for Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry:
| Route | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | Paper 4 | Paper 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 AS Level only (Candidates take all AS components in the same exam series) |
yes | yes | yes | ||
| 2 A Level (staged over two years) Year 1 AS Level* |
yes | yes | yes | ||
| Year 2 Complete the A Level | yes | yes | |||
| 3 A Level (Candidates take all components in the same exam series) |
yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
* Candidates carry forward their AS Level result subject to the rules and time limits described in the Cambridge Handbook. See Making entries for more information on carry forward of results.
Candidates following an AS Level route are eligible for grades a–e. Candidates following an A Level route are eligible for grades A*–E.
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