Assessment - A-Levels Chemistry
Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all AS and A-level Chemistry specifications and all exam boards.
The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding
Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures:
- in a theoretical context
- in a practical context
- when handling qualitative data
- when handling quantitative data
AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate
Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to:
- make judgements and reach conclusions
- develop and refine practical design and procedures
Weighting of assessment objectives for AS Chemistry
| Assessment objectives (AOs) | Component weightings (approx %) | Overall weighting (approx %) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | ||
| AO1 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| AO2 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
| AO3 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Overall weighting of components | 50 | 50 | 100 |
20% of the overall assessment of AS Chemistry will contain mathematical skills equivalent to Level 2 or above. At least 15% of the overall assessment of AS Chemistry will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work.
Weighting of assessment objectives for A-level Chemistry
| Assessment objectives (AOs) | Component weightings (approx %) | Overall weighting (approx %) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | ||
| AO1 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 |
| AO2 | 48 | 48 | 34 | 45 |
| AO3 | 22 | 22 | 34 | 25 |
| Overall weighting of components | 35 | 35 | 30 | 100 |
20% of the overall assessment of A-level Chemistry will contain mathematical skills equivalent to Level 2 or above. At least 15% of the overall assessment of A-level Chemistry will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work.
4.3 Assessment weightings
The marks awarded on the papers will be scaled to meet the weighting of the components. Students’ final marks will be calculated by adding together the scaled marks for each component. Grade boundaries will be set using this total scaled mark. The scaling and total scaled marks are shown in the table below.
AS
| Component | Maximum raw mark | Scaling factor | Maximum scaled mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 80 | ×1 | 80 |
| Paper 2 | 80 | ×1 | 80 |
| Total scaled mark: | 160 |
A-level
| Component | Maximum raw mark | Scaling factor | Maximum scaled mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 105 | ×1 | 105 |
| Paper 2 | 105 | ×1 | 105 |
| Paper 3 | 90 | ×1 | 90 |
| Total scaled mark: | 300 |
2.2 AS
Assessments
Paper 1
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| What's assessed | • Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 and 3.1.7) • Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2.1 to 3.2.3) • Relevant practical skills |
| Assessed | • written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes • 80 marks • 50% of the AS |
| Questions | 65 marks of short and long answer questions 15 marks of multiple choice questions |
Paper 2
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| What's assessed | • Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6) • Organic chemistry (section 3.3.1 to 3.3.6) • Relevant practical skills |
| Assessed | • written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes • 80 marks • 50% of the AS |
| Questions | 65 marks of short and long answer questions 15 marks of multiple choice questions |
2.3 A-level
Assessments
Paper 1
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| What's assessed | • Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12) • Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2) • Relevant practical skills |
| Assessed | • written exam: 2 hours • 105 marks • 35% of A-level |
| Questions | 105 marks of short and long answer questions |
Paper 2
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| What's assessed | • Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9) • Organic chemistry (section 3.3) • Relevant practical skills |
| Assessed | • written exam: 2 hours • 105 marks • 35% of A-level |
| Questions | 105 marks of short and long answer questions |
Paper 3
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| What's assessed | • Any content • Any practical skills |
| Assessed | • written exam: 2 hours • 90 marks • 30% of A-level |
| Questions | 40 marks of questions on practical techniques and data analysis 20 marks of questions testing across the specification 30 marks of multiple choice questions |