A Student’s Guide

to the AS and A level in

Chemistry (London)
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
The qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and process skills inherent in GCSE. It is
expected that you will have achieved a GCSE Grade C in Chemistry or Science (Double Award) or
the equivalent in another level 2 qualification.

The qualification integrates theory and relevant practical work, which are developed at different
levels throughout the course.

You will need to be able to communicate effectively, research and think critically about chemical
problems.

What will I learn on this A Level course?

The qualification aims to:

♦ stimulate and sustain your interest in, and enjoyment of, chemistry
♦ enables you to gain a knowledge and understanding of chemistry appropriate to AS/A GCE and
to appreciate the inter-linking patterns which are a distinguishing feature of the subject
♦ show the inter-relationship between the development of the subject and its application (social,
economic, environmental and technological) and recognise the value of chemistry to society and
how it may be used responsibly
♦ develop your skills in laboratory procedures and techniques
♦ develop your ability to acquire knowledge by means of practical work
♦ provide opportunities for you to bring together knowledge of how different areas of chemistry
relate to each other.

What kind of student is this qualification suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for students who:

♦ have an interest in, and enjoyment of chemistry

♦ enjoy carrying out investigation by the application of imaginative, logical and critical thinking
♦ want to use chemistry to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies.

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What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?
AS
AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary GCE. This is the first half of the A level course. It is a
stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. You can take just the Advanced Subsidiary on its
own, if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you, and you will get a certificate for just the
AS. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue to take the full A level
qualification.

Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Main Group Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour 20 minutes, consisting of structured questions to be answered on
the question paper.
1.1 Atomic Structure
1.2 Formulae, Equations and Moles
1.3 Structure and Bonding
1.4 Perodic Table I
1.5 Introduction to Oxidation and Reduction – basic ideas of redox
1.6 Group 1 (lithium to caesium) and Group 2 (beryllium to barium)
1.7 Group 7 (chlorine to iodine)

Unit 2: Introductory Organic Chemistry, Energetic, Kinetic and Equilibrium and

Applications
A written examination of 1 hour 20 minutes, consisting of structured questions, plus some
opportunity for extended writing. The questions will be answered on the question paper.
2.1 Energetics I– Hess’s law
2.2 Organic Chemistry I – introduction, alkanes, alkenes, halogenoalkanes and alcohols
2.2 Kinetics I – qualitative
2.3 Chemical Equilibria I – qualitative
2.4 Industrial Inorganic Chemistry – Haber process, Contact process and the extraction of
Aluminium

Unit 3: Laboratory Chemistry I

Unit 3A - internal assessment or an externally assessed practical test, of 1 hour 30 minutes plus 5
minutes reading time, consisting of one question of a broadly quantitative nature.
Unit 3B - a written examination of 1 hour that will examine students’ ability to interpret
information generated and drawn from experimental situations in the laboratory.
3.1A Assessment of Experimental Skills I
3.1B Laboratory Chemistry

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A level
The full A level qualification is made up of the AS units plus three more units which are studied at a
higher level. If you do decide to take the second half of the course it will cover the three units
described below. The second half of the course is sometimes called A2.

Unit 4: Perodicity, Qualitative Equilibra and Functional Group Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour 30 minutes, consisting of structured questions to be answered on
the question paper.
4.1 Energetics II – lattice energies
4.2 Periodic Table II – chemical periodicity across Period 3 and down Group 4
4.3 Chemical Equilibria II – quantitative
4.4 Acid-Base Equilibria
4.5 Organic Chemistry II – acids, esters, carbonyls, acid chlorides, nitrogen compounds and
further halogenocompounds

Unit 5: Transition Metals, Qualitiative Kinetic and Applied Organic Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour 30 minutes, consisting of structured questions and will also
examine some synoptic issues. The exam will consist of two sections: structured questions to be
answered on the question paper and a choice of questions to be answered in a separate answer
booklet.
5.1 Redox Equilibria
5.2 Transition Metal Chemistry
5.3 Organic Chemistry III
5.4 Chemical Kinetics II - quantitative
5.5 Organic Chemistry IV – analysis, synthesis and applications

Unit 6: Laboratory Chemistry I

Unit 6A – internal assessment or an externally assessed practical test of 1 hour 30 minutes, plus 5
minutes reading time. It will consist of one question of a broadly qualitative nature.
6.1A Assessment of Experimental Skills II
6.1B Synoptic

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this qualification?

As well as covering AS and A level study of Chemistry, this course will enable you to develop
some Key Skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. The Key
Skills you can develop during this course are:

Communication
♦ Taking part in discussions on topical issues
♦ Preparing written documents for your practical work
♦ Using reference materials from books, CD-ROMs and the Internet

Application of number
♦ Planning to collect results from experiments and presenting them in a suitable format
♦ Carrying out calculations on the data collected in experiments
♦ Interpreting the results from experiments and seeing how this relates to your plan

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Information technology
♦ Using word processing software to present written reports and prepare presentations
♦ Plan and design a spreadsheet to support your experiments, be able to select a suitable graphical
format to show trends and patterns in your data

Problem solving
♦ Planning an investigation to look at tests to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary
alcohols.

Working with others

♦ Planning an investigation, to involve all members of the group, to study the effect of
temperature, pressure and concentration on the position of equilibrium
♦ A team presentation of a poster to show the use of ammonia, nitric acid and sulphuric acid in the
manufacture of inorganic fertilisers.

Improving own learning and performance

♦ Working out a timetable with targets to improve your practical skills
♦ Monitoring the marks awarded for written reports

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?

♦ Follow a degree course in chemistry, environmental science, medicine and pharmacy. These are
a small selection of courses with direct links. UCCAS handbooks will give you further
guidance
♦ Follow a Higher National programme in Applied Chemistry and related programmes, such as
Sport Studies, Beauty Therapy, Applied Biology, Engineering, Agriculture, Animal
Management, Countryside Management, Environmental Science, Equine management or
Horticulture.
♦ Employment in the area of pharmacy and biotechnology as possible examples.

For more information on Edexcel qualifications please contact our

Customer Response Centre on 0171 393 4500
or email: enquiries@edexcel.org.uk
or visit our website: www.edexcel.org.uk

Edexcel Foundation is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited

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