Quick answer: 9701 has 37 topics across physical, inorganic and organic chemistry plus analysis, and five papers. Papers 1 and 2 test AS content, Paper 4 tests A Level content (and needs AS knowledge), Paper 3 is a lab practical and Paper 5 is a written planning and analysis paper. Marks come from secure basics, careful units and significant figures, and showing every step.
Who this is for: AS and A Level Chemistry students on the Cambridge route, and parents who want to see how the course and exams fit together.
The structure below comes from the Cambridge syllabus for 2025 to 2027. The 2028 to 2030 syllabus says there are no significant changes that affect teaching. Check the current version with your school.
AS Level, A Level and the three routes
AS Level is the first half of the A Level course. Students follow one of three routes:
- AS Level only, with all AS papers in the same exam series.
- A Level over two years, with AS papers in Year 1 and the rest in Year 2. The AS result is carried forward.
- A Level in one go, with all five papers in the same series.
AS results are graded a to e. A Level results run from A* to E. The school makes the entries, so it decides the route. Our Cambridge A Level Chemistry 9701 page shows how we support AS and full A Level students.
9701 papers: marks, timing and weighting
| Paper | Name | Time | Marks | Share of A Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Choice (AS content) | 1 h 15 min | 40 | 15.5% |
| 2 | AS Level Structured Questions | 1 h 15 min | 60 | 23% |
| 3 | Advanced Practical Skills | 2 h | 40 | 11.5% |
| 4 | A Level Structured Questions | 2 h | 100 | 38.5% |
| 5 | Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | 1 h 15 min | 30 | 11.5% |
Papers 1 and 2 test AS content only. Paper 4 tests A Level content and also needs AS knowledge. So Year 1 work gets used again in Year 2.
9701 syllabus topics: all 37
AS Level (topics 1 to 22) – Physical: Atomic structure; Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry; Chemical bonding; States of matter; Chemical energetics; Electrochemistry; Equilibria; Reaction kinetics. – Inorganic: The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity; Group 2; Group 17; Nitrogen and sulfur. – Organic: An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry; Hydrocarbons; Halogen compounds; Hydroxy compounds; Carbonyl compounds; Carboxylic acids and derivatives; Nitrogen compounds; Polymerisation; Organic synthesis. – Analysis: Analytical techniques.
A Level adds (topics 23 to 37) – Physical: Chemical energetics; Electrochemistry; Equilibria; Reaction kinetics (extending the AS versions). – Inorganic: Group 2; Chemistry of transition elements. – Organic: An introduction to A Level organic chemistry; Hydrocarbons; Halogen compounds; Hydroxy compounds; Carboxylic acids and derivatives; Nitrogen compounds; Polymerisation; Organic synthesis. – Analysis: Analytical techniques.
Just finished IGCSE? Our Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 page recaps the foundations.
Paper 3 vs Paper 5: lab work and written skills
Paper 3 is a timetabled, lab-based practical exam with two or three questions. One is an observational problem: students investigate an unknown substance, record what they see and draw conclusions, using the Qualitative analysis notes printed in the paper. The other questions are quantitative, for example a titration, with tables, graphs, calculations and comments on accuracy. Students do this practical work in their school lab. TutorDock teaches online and does not run lab practicals.
Paper 5 is written and needs no lab. It tests planning, analysis, conclusions and evaluation. You may have to design an investigation, write a hypothesis, or analyse and evaluate data you are given. Online lessons suit this well: we go through methods, results, graphs and evaluation step by step.
Worked example: units and significant figures in a titration
25.0 cm³ of 0.100 mol dm⁻³ sodium hydroxide is neutralised by 23.45 cm³ of hydrochloric acid. Find the acid concentration. (The reaction is 1 : 1.)
- Moles of NaOH = 0.100 × 25.0 ÷ 1000 = 2.50 × 10⁻³ mol
- Moles of HCl = 2.50 × 10⁻³ mol (1 : 1)
- Concentration of HCl = 2.50 × 10⁻³ ÷ (23.45 ÷ 1000) = 0.1066 mol dm⁻³
How many significant figures? The alkali data has 3 s.f. and the titre has 4. The syllabus says the answer should have the same number as the smallest in the data, or one more. So 0.107 or 0.1066 mol dm⁻³ is fine. 0.1 is too few and 0.106610 is too many.
Cambridge says that missing units, units on a ratio, or an inappropriate number of significant figures are liable to be penalised. It also asks you to show all stages of a calculation so credit can be given for correct working.
Worked example: a units trap in equilibria
For N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃, Kc = [NH₃]² ÷ ([N₂][H₂]³).
Work the units: (mol dm⁻³)² ÷ (mol dm⁻³ × (mol dm⁻³)³) = mol² dm⁻⁶ ÷ mol⁴ dm⁻¹² = mol⁻² dm⁶.
Many students write Kc correctly, then leave the units out. Work them out every time.
Common mistakes: command words, tables and graphs
Cambridge publishes a command word table. A few that students mix up:
| Command word | What Cambridge says it means | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| Explain | set out purposes or reasons / provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence | Give the reason, using the chemistry |
| Deduce | conclude from available information | Use the data or clues given. Do not just recall |
| Show (that) | provide structured evidence that leads to a given result | Write every step to reach the value in the question |
| Suggest | apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses | Link a sensible idea to the context |
For practical-style questions:
- Table headings. Give the quantity and the unit, such as “t / s” or “T / °C”.
- Draw the table before you take readings, so you do not have to copy results later.
- Graph axes. Label each with the quantity and unit, and choose scales that are easy to read, such as 1, 2 or 5 units to a 20 mm square.
- Evaluation. “Human error” is too vague. Say what was measured badly and how to fix it.
Where students often need extra time
Cambridge does not publish a list of difficult topics, so this is our general advice, not an official ranking. Topics linked to calculations and multi-step reasoning usually need more practice: Equilibria, Chemical energetics, Electrochemistry, Reaction kinetics and Organic synthesis. Organic chemistry also builds across many topics, so early gaps cause trouble later.
How to prepare for 9701
- Build a solid AS base. Year 2 depends on it. Make sure bonding, moles and equations are secure.
- Keep a mistake log. Record what you got wrong in past papers and why. Review it weekly instead of rereading notes.
- Make organic summary maps. Use columns for starting group, reagent, conditions, product and reaction type. Synthesis questions then feel less random.
- Practise Paper 5 on paper. Plan an investigation, name the variables and say how you would process the data.
- Use past papers and mark schemes. Do topic questions first, then timed full papers.
FAQ: Cambridge A Level Chemistry 9701
Is Paper 3 or Paper 5 the written one?
Paper 5 is written and needs no lab. Paper 3 is a lab-based practical test.
Can my child take only AS Level Chemistry?
Yes. The school makes the entries, so check with them.
Is 9701 just IGCSE Chemistry 0620 but harder?
It builds on IGCSE ideas but goes deeper. A Level adds topics such as the chemistry of transition elements and further organic chemistry. The pace and amount of independent practice is a big change for many students.
Does TutorDock offer 9701 tutoring?
Yes. We offer one-to-one online lessons. See our A Level Chemistry tutoring page.
Does 9701 have a practical exam?
Yes. Paper 3 is a practical paper done in a school lab, and Paper 5 is a written planning, analysis and evaluation paper that needs no lab. TutorDock teaches online and does not run lab practicals. We help students with the written skills: planning, tables, graphs, calculations and evaluation.
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- IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): how to answer it
Want help with 9701? Try a free class
If your child is starting AS Chemistry, or is stuck on a topic like equilibria or organic synthesis, you can book a free trial class with TutorDock. Tell us the topic and the paper you are working on, and we will show you how one-to-one online teaching works. No obligation.
