A-Level Chemistry

Course summary

The course aims to develop an understanding of how the chemical elements interact and the role they play in making up our world and beyond. The course aims to develop an understanding and appreciation of the relevance of science beyond the laboratory, while strengthening analytical, evaluative and synoptic skills. Practical skills and techniques as well as developing the ability to plan and manipulate data are also at the heart of the syllabus and are assessed on all papers. In addition practical skills are also assessed via practical endorsement, which will appear on students’ certificates as a separately reported result, alongside the overall grade for the qualification. A minimum of 12 practical activities (PAGs) will be carried out and teachers assess the students against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria. The OCR specification is divided into Physical, Organic and Inorganic sections. The A level course will be assessed by three separate exams at the end of year 13. 15% of the questions across the three papers will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work. 20% of the assessment of A level Chemistry will contain mathematical skills.