Chemistry — AS Level (9701)
How medicines are designed, how a lab identifies an unknown molecule, why some reactions happen on their own — A Level Chemistry is where chemistry stops being facts and starts being reasoning.
- Level
- AS level
- Syllabus
- Cambridge International · 9701
- Teacher
- Sara_Siddiqui
- Exam session
- June & November
- Format
- Live online classes
About this course
This course covers the Cambridge AS Level Chemistry syllabus (9701), the first year of the full A Level programme. Students will develop an advanced understanding of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, energetics, kinetics, equilibria, and introductory organic chemistry. The course builds rigorous analytical thinking, quantitative problem-solving, and practical laboratory skills essential for university study in chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, and chemical engineering.
What is included
- Live online classes with your teacher
- Quizzes and assignments in your student portal
- Marks and feedback from your teacher
- Progress your parents can follow
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701)
Checked against the official Cambridge syllabus for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 — and unchanged in substance for 2028–2030
Quick facts
Topic map
AS Level
- 1Atomic structure
- 2Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
- 3Chemical bonding
- 4States of matter
- 5Chemical energetics
- 6Electrochemistry
- 7Equilibria
- 8Reaction kinetics
- 9The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
- 10Group 2
- 11Group 17
- 12Nitrogen and sulfur
- 13An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry
- 14Hydrocarbons
- 15Halogen compounds
- 16Hydroxy compounds
- 17Carbonyl compounds
- 18Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- 19Nitrogen compounds
- 20Polymerisation
- 21Organic synthesis
- 22Analytical techniques
AS Level students also study practical skills.
A Level (adds to all the AS topics)
- 23Chemical energetics
- 24Electrochemistry
- 25Equilibria
- 26Reaction kinetics
- 27Group 2
- 28Chemistry of transition elements
- 29An introduction to A Level organic chemistry
- 30Hydrocarbons
- 31Halogen compounds
- 32Hydroxy compounds
- 33Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- 34Nitrogen compounds
- 35Polymerisation
- 36Organic synthesis
- 37Analytical techniques
A Level students also study practical skills.
Exam pattern
40 multiple-choice questions on AS content.
Structured questions on AS content.
Practical work in a lab plus structured questions on experimental skills.
Structured questions on A Level content — AS knowledge is needed too.
Written questions on planning experiments, analysing data and evaluating — the context may be outside the syllabus.
Three ways to take it
All papers are marked by Cambridge. Paper 3 is done in a laboratory at your exam centre — book your centre early and ask about Paper 3 when you register.
Grades
What it took in June 2026 (full A Level, all five papers)
Minimum marks out of 260 for each grade.
Minimum weighted marks out of 260 in June 2026; the range covers the different paper variants. Boundaries change every series — aim well above them.
AS Level: a, b, c, d, e. Full A Level: A*, A, B, C, D, E. 'Ungraded' means below the lowest grade and is not shown on the certificate.
Medicine, pharmacy and top engineering programmes usually ask for an A or A* in Chemistry. Check each university's own requirements.
Why study it, types of questions, command words, what examiners reward, books, common mistakes, a study plan, careers and FAQs.
Read the guide