CIE Chemistry A-Level

Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) Portal

Note

Welcome to the unified Cambridge International A-Level Chemistry resource center. Here you can find syllabus materials, lesson-by-lesson notes, topical practice questions (QP & MS), structured past papers, and our interactive exam search engine.

1. Course Overview

Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (Syllabus Code: 9701) provides a comprehensive foundation in physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry. The course is structured into two main stages: AS Level (typically taken in the first year) and A Level (taken in the second year).

Assessment Outline

The complete A-Level qualification consists of five examination papers. The table below summarizes the structure, duration, and weighting of each paper:

Level	Paper / Component	Duration	Question Type	Marks	Weight (A-Level)
AS Level (50% of A-Level)	Paper 1 (Multiple Choice)	1h 15m	40 multiple-choice questions	40	15.5%
	Paper 2 (AS Structured Questions)	1h 15m	Structured theory questions	60	23%
	Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills)	2 hours	Laboratory practical assessment	40	11.5%
A2 Level (50% of A-Level)	Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions)	2 hours	Structured theory questions on A2 topics	100	38%
	Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis & Evaluation)	1h 15m	Written practical skills theory exam	30	12%

Official Curriculum

Download the official Cambridge International syllabus and support documents for offline reference:

CIE Chemistry 2025-2027 Syllabus (PDF) CIE Chemistry 2025-2027 Data Booklet (PDF) CIE Chemistry 2022-2024 Syllabus (PDF)

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2. Study notes

Explore our comprehensive notes and practice questions organized by syllabus topics. Use the tabs below to switch between AS Level and A-Level content.

AS Level Chemistry

Syllabus Topic & Subtopic	Note	MC QP	MC MS	Struct QP	Struct MS
Topic 1 — Atomic structure
1.1 — Particles in the Atom & Atomic Radius	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
1.2 — Isotopes	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
1.3 — Electrons, Energy Levels & Atomic Orbitals	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
1.4 — Ionisation Energy	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 2 — Atoms molecules and Stoichiometry
2.1 — Relative Masses of Atoms & Molecules	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
2.2 — The Mole & the Avogadro Constant	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
2.3 — Formulas	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
2.4 — Reacting Masses & Volumes	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 3 — Chemical bonding
3.1 — Electronegativity & Bonding	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.2 — Ionic Bonding	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.3 — Metallic Bonding	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.4 — Covalent Bonding & Coordinate Bonding	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.5 — Shapes of Molecules	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.6 — Intermolecular Forces	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
3.7 — Dot Cross Diagrams	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 4 — States of matter
4.1 — The Gaseous State	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
4.2 — Bonding and Structure	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 5 — Chemical energetics
5.1 — Enthalpy Change	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
5.2 — Hess’s Law	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 6 — Electrochemistry
6.1 — Redox Processes	Notes	QP	MS	QP	MS
Topic 7 — Equilibrium
7.1 — Chemical Equilibria	Notes	QP	MS	QP	MS
7.2 — Brønsted–Lowry Theory of Acids & Bases	Notes	QP	MS	QP	—
Topic 8 — Reaction kinetics
8.1 — Rate of Reaction	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
8.2 — Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rates-activation ennergy	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
8.3 — Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 9 — The periodic table chemical periodicity
9.1 — Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in period 3	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
9.2 — Periodicity of Chemical Properties of the elements in period 3	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
9.3 — Chemical Periodicity of Other Elements	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 10 — Group 2
10.1 — Similarities and Trends in the Properties of the Group 2 Metals	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 11 — Group 17
11.1 — Physical Properties of the Group 17 Elements	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
11.2 — The Chemical Properties of the Halogen Elements and the Hydrogen Halides	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
11.3 — Some Reactions of the Halide Ions	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
11.4 — The Reactions of Chlorine	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 12 — Nitrogen and Sulfur
12.1 — Nitrogen and Sulfur	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 13 — An introduction to AS level Organic chemistry
13.1 — Formulas Functional Groups and the Naming of Organic Compounds	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
13.2 — Characteristic Organic Reactions	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
13.3 — Shapes of Organic Molecules	Notes	QP	—	—	—
13.4 — Isomerism Structural Isomerism and Stereoisomerism	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 14 — Hydrocarbons
14.1 — Alkanes	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
14.2 — Alkenes	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 15 — Halogen compounds
15.1 — Halogenoalkanes	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 16 — Hydroxy compounds
16.1 — Alcohols	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 17 — Carbonyl compounds
17.1 — Aldehydes and Ketones	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 18 — Carboxylic acids and derivatives
18.1 — Carboxylic Acids	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
18.2 — Esters	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 19 — Nitrogen compounds
19.1 — Primary Amines	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
19.2 — Nitriles and Hydroxynitriles	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 20 — Polymerisation
20.1 — Addition Polymerisation	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 21 — Organic synthesis
21.1 — Organic Synthesis	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
Topic 22 — Analytical techniques
22.1 — Infrared Spectroscopy	Notes	QP	—	QP	—
22.2 — Mass Spectrometry	Notes	QP	—	QP	—

A-Level Chemistry

Syllabus Topic & Subtopic	Note	Struct QP	Struct MS
Topic 23 — Chemical energetics
23.1 — Lattice Energy and Born-Haber Cycles	Notes	QP	MS
23.2 — Enthalpies of Solution and Hydration	Notes	QP	MS
23.3 — Entropy Change, ΔS	Notes	QP	MS
23.4 — Gibbs Free Energy Change, ΔG	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 24 — Electrochemistry
24.1 — Electrolysis	Notes	QP	MS
24.2 — Standard Electrode Potentials	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 25 — Equillibria
25.1 — Acids and Bases	Notes	QP	MS
25.2 — Partition Coefficients	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 26 — Reaction kinetics
26.1 — Simple Rate Equations Orders of Reaction and Rate Constants	Notes	QP	MS
26.2 — Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 27 — Group 2
27.1 — Similarities and Trends in the Properties of the Group 2 Metals	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 28 — Chemistry of transition elements
28.1 — General Physical and Chemical Properties of the First Row of Transition Elements	Notes	QP	MS
28.2 — Titanium and copper	Notes	QP	MS
28.3 — Colour of Complexes	Notes	QP	MS
28.4 — Stereoisomerism in Transition Element Complexes	Notes	QP	MS
28.5 — Stability Constants, Kstab	Notes	QP	MS
Topic 29 — An introduction to A level organic chemistry
29.1 — Formulas, Functional Groups and the Naming of Organic Compounds	Notes	QP	MS
29.2 — Characteristic Organic Reactions	Notes	QP	MS
29.3 — Shapes of Aromatic Organic Molecules	Notes	QP	MS
29.4 — Isomerism Optical	Notes	QP	—
Topic 30 — Hydrocarbons
30.1 — Arenes	Notes	QP	—
Topic 31 — Halogen compounds
31.1 — Halogen Compounds	Notes	QP	—
Topic 32 — Hydroxy compounds
32.1 — Alcohols	Notes	QP	—
32.2 — Phenol	Notes	QP	—
Topic 33 — Carboxylic acids and derivatives
33.1 — Carboxylic Acids	Notes	QP	—
33.2 — Esters	Notes	QP	—
33.3 — Acyl Chlorides	Notes	QP	—
Topic 34 — Nitrogen compounds
34.1 — Primary and Secondary Amines	Notes	QP	—
34.2 — Phenylamine and Azo Compounds	Notes	QP	—
34.3 — Amides	Notes	QP	—
34.4 — Amino Acids	Notes	QP	—
Topic 35 — Polymerisation
35.1 — Condensation Polymerisation	Notes	QP	—
35.2 — Predicting the Type of Polymerisation	Notes	QP	—
35.3 — Degradable Polymers	Notes	QP	—
Topic 36 — Organic synthesis
36.1 — Organic Synthesis	Notes	QP	—
Topic 37 — Analytical techniques
37.1 — Thin-Layer Chromatography	Notes	QP	—
37.2 — Gas Liquid Chromatography	Notes	QP	—
37.3 — Carbon-13 NMR Spectroscopy	Notes	QP	—
37.4 — Proton (1H) NMR Spectroscopy	Notes	QP	—

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3. More Study Notes

This section contains supplementary reference guides and specialized revision notes for deep conceptual understanding.

Set 1

Topic / Syllabus Unit	Revision Notes	Flashcards
1. Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry	Revision Notes	Flashcards
2. Atomic Structure	Revision Notes	Flashcards
3. Chemical Bonding	Revision Notes	Flashcards
4. States of Matter	Revision Notes	Flashcards
5. Chemical Energetics	Revision Notes	Flashcards
6. Electrochemistry	Revision Notes	Flashcards
7. Equilibria	Revision Notes	Flashcards
8. Reaction Kinetics	Revision Notes	Flashcards
9. Periodicity	Revision Notes	Flashcards
10. Group 2	Revision Notes	Flashcards
11. Halogens	Revision Notes	Flashcards
12. Transition Metals	Revision Notes	Flashcards
13. Nitrogen & Sulfur	Revision Notes	Flashcards
14. Introduction to Organic Chemistry	Revision Notes	Flashcards
15. Hydrocarbons	Revision Notes	Flashcards
16. Halogenoalkanes	Revision Notes	Flashcards
17. Alcohols	Revision Notes	Flashcards
18. Aldehydes & Ketones	Revision Notes	Flashcards
19. Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives	Revision Notes	Flashcards
20. Nitrogen Compounds	Revision Notes	Flashcards
21. Polymers	Revision Notes	Flashcards
22. Analytical Techniques	Revision Notes	Flashcards
23. Organic Synthesis	Revision Notes	Flashcards

Set 2

Chapter Title	Resource Link
Chapter 1: Atomic Structure	Chapter Notes
Chapter 2: Atoms, Molecules and Stoichiometry	Chapter Notes
Chapter 3: Electrons in Atoms	Chapter Notes
Chapter 4: Chemical Bonding	Chapter Notes
Chapter 5: States of Matter	Chapter Notes
Chapter 6: Chemical Energetics	Chapter Notes
Chapter 7: Redox Reactions and Electrolysis	Chapter Notes
Chapter 8: Chemical Equilibria	Chapter Notes
Chapter 9: Rate of Reaction	Chapter Notes
Chapter 10: Chemical Periodicity	Chapter Notes
Chapter 11: Group II	Chapter Notes
Chapter 12: Group VII	Chapter Notes
Chapter 13: Nitrogen and Sulfur	Chapter Notes
Chapter 14: An Introduction to Organic Chemistry	Chapter Notes
Chapter 15: Hydrocarbons	Chapter Notes
Chapter 16: Halogen Derivatives	Chapter Notes
Chapter 17: Hydroxy Compounds	Chapter Notes
Chapter 18: Carbonyl Compounds	Chapter Notes
Chapter 19: Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives I	Chapter Notes
Chapter 20: Lattice Energy	Chapter Notes
Chapter 21: Electrode Potentials	Chapter Notes
Chapter 22: Ionic Equilibria	Chapter Notes
Chapter 23: Reaction Kinetics	Chapter Notes
Chapter 25: Transition Elements	Chapter Notes
Chapter 26: Benzene and Its Compounds	Chapter Notes

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4. Topical Past Paper Questions

Test your understanding of specific syllabus areas with compiled past exam questions categorized by chemistry branches.

Chemistry Branch & Topics	Paper 1 (MCQ)	Paper 2 (AS Theory)	Paper 4 (A2 Theory)
Physical Chemistry Atomic Structure, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibrium	Link Pending	Link Pending	Link Pending
Inorganic Chemistry Periodicity, Group 2 Alkaline Earth Metals, Group 17 Halogens	Link Pending	Link Pending	N/A (AS Only)
Organic Chemistry & Polymers Alkanes, Alkenes, Arenes, Nitrogen & Carbonyl Compounds	Link Pending	Link Pending	Link Pending
Analytical Chemistry Chromatography, Infrared Spectroscopy, Mass Spec, NMR Spec	Link Pending	Link Pending	Link Pending

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5. Past Papers Bank

Year: All Years

Paper: