Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701)
Develop physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, analytical techniques and experimental skills.
2025–2027 examinations
Course structure and assessment routes
- AS: Papers 1, 2 and 3, covering topics 1–22 and practical skills.
- A Level: all five papers; adds topics 23–37 and further practical skills. All papers may be taken together, or Papers 4 and 5 after an eligible AS result.
Main syllabus content
- Physical chemistry: structure, bonding, energetics, electrochemistry, equilibria and kinetics
- Inorganic chemistry: periodicity, groups and transition elements
- Organic chemistry: functional groups, synthesis and polymers
- Analytical techniques and practical skills
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
9701 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
Paper 1
Multiple Choice
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 31% AS / 15.5% A Level
Paper 2
AS Level Structured Questions
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 46% AS / 23% A Level
Paper 3
Advanced Practical Skills
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 23% AS / 11.5% A Level
Paper 4
A Level Structured Questions
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 38.5% A Level
Paper 5
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 30
- Weighting
- 11.5% A Level
Key assessment information
- All papers are externally assessed. Practical work is examined in Paper 3; Paper 5 examines planning, analysis and evaluation. AS grades a–e; A Level A*–E. Cambridge carry-forward rules apply.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official 9701 syllabus/specification (PDF). 2025–2027 examinations.
Source PDF pages: 10, 11, 12. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.