Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701
Examinations 2025–2027. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Chemistry 9701
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Chemistry 9701
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2025–2027 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: topics 1–22 and practical skills. Full A Level: all AS topics plus 23–37 and further practical skills. Repeated titles have additional A Level requirements; retain both numbers.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2025–2027. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS · Physical chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1 Atomic structure
Explore particles, electron structure and patterns in atoms.
2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
Use formulae, equations and amounts of substance in calculations.
4 · AS · Physical chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3 Chemical bonding
Explain bonding, shape and intermolecular forces.
5 · AS · Physical chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4 States of matter
Relate particle behaviour to gases, liquids and solids.
5 Chemical energetics
Calculate and interpret energy changes in reactions.
6 · AS · Physical chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
6 Electrochemistry
Explore oxidation, reduction and redox relationships.
7 · AS · Physical chemistry
Compulsory within this study stage.
7 Equilibria
Explain reversible reactions and changes in equilibrium position.
8 Reaction kinetics
Investigate rates of reaction and factors affecting them.
8 · AS · Inorganic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
9 The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
Explain patterns in properties across the Periodic Table.
10 Group 2
Study reactions and trends of Group 2 elements and compounds.
9 · AS · Inorganic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
11 Group 17
Explore halogens and trends in their chemistry.
10 · AS · Inorganic chemistry
Compulsory within this study stage.
12 Nitrogen and sulfur
Study selected compounds, reactions and environmental connections.
11 · AS · Organic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
13 An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry
Use organic formulae, nomenclature, isomerism and reaction ideas.
14 Hydrocarbons
Study the structures and reactions of hydrocarbon families.
12 · AS · Organic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
15 Halogen compounds
Explore reactions of organic compounds containing halogens.
13 · AS · Organic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
16 Hydroxy compounds
Investigate compounds with hydroxy groups.
17 Carbonyl compounds
Explore aldehydes, ketones and characteristic reactions.
14 · AS · Organic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
18 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
Study acids and related organic compounds.
15 · AS · Organic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
19 Nitrogen compounds
Explore the chemistry of selected nitrogen-containing compounds.
20 Polymerisation
Connect monomers with polymer formation.
16 · AS · Organic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
21 Organic synthesis
Plan routes linking organic functional groups.
17 · AS · Analysis
Compulsory within this study stage.
22 Analytical techniques
Use analytical evidence to identify substances and structures.
18 · A Level additional · Physical chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
23 Chemical energetics
Extend energy ideas to further thermodynamic relationships.
24 Electrochemistry
Use electrochemical ideas to analyse cells and reactions.
19 · A Level additional · Physical chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
25 Equilibria
Extend equilibrium calculations and acid–base applications.
20 · A Level additional · Physical chemistry
Compulsory within this study stage.
26 Reaction kinetics
Explore rate relationships and evidence for reaction mechanisms.
21 · A Level additional · Inorganic chemistry
Compulsory within this study stage.
27 Group 2
Extend study of Group 2 properties and compounds.
28 Chemistry of transition elements
Explore transition-metal properties and complex ions.
22 · A Level additional · Organic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
29 An introduction to A Level organic chemistry
Extend the structural and reaction ideas used in organic chemistry.
30 Hydrocarbons
Extend hydrocarbon chemistry to additional structures and reactions.
23 · A Level additional · Organic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
31 Halogen compounds
Extend understanding of halogen-containing organic compounds.
24 · A Level additional · Organic chemistry · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
32 Hydroxy compounds
Compare further structures and reactions of hydroxy compounds.
33 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
Extend acid-derivative chemistry and reaction pathways.
25 · A Level additional · Organic chemistry · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
34 Nitrogen compounds
Develop further nitrogen-containing organic chemistry.
26 · A Level additional · Organic chemistry
Compulsory within this study stage.
35 Polymerisation
Extend understanding of polymer formation and structure.
36 Organic synthesis
Design and evaluate more complex synthetic routes.
27 · A Level additional · Analysis
Compulsory within this study stage.
37 Analytical techniques
Combine analytical evidence to determine structures.
28 · Skills you will develop
Build practical skills through measurement, observation, chemical analysis, data processing and evaluation. Link macroscopic observations with particles, equations and quantitative evidence.
29 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2025–2027.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/664563-2025-2027-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which AS topic concerns the speed of reactions?
– 3 Chemical bonding
– 8 Reaction kinetics
– 20 Polymerisation
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 8 Reaction kinetics
Correct feedback: 8 Reaction kinetics: Investigate rates of reaction and factors affecting them. Review slide 07.
If 3 Chemical bonding is selected: 3 Chemical bonding: Explain bonding, shape and intermolecular forces. Review slide 03 and 04. The best match to this question is 8 Reaction kinetics.
If 20 Polymerisation is selected: 20 Polymerisation: Connect monomers with polymer formation. Review slide 15 and 16. The best match to this question is 8 Reaction kinetics.
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: A Level replaces all the AS topics rather than building on them.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: False
Correct feedback: Correct. Full A Level includes topics 1–22 and adds topics 23–37.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. Full A Level includes topics 1–22 and adds topics 23–37.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Explore aldehydes, ketones and characteristic reactions.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 17 ____ compounds
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Carbonyl. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 17 Carbonyl compounds: Explore aldehydes, ketones and characteristic reactions. Review slide 13 and 14.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Carbonyl”; the complete title is 17 Carbonyl compounds. Review slide 13 and 14.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry; 11 Group 17; 28 Chemistry of transition elements
– Use formulae, equations and amounts of substance in calculations. → [drop zone]
– Explore halogens and trends in their chemistry. → [drop zone]
– Explore transition-metal properties and complex ions. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry. Review slide 03 and 04.
– Row 2: 11 Group 17. Review slide 08 and 09.
– Row 3: 28 Chemistry of transition elements. Review slide 21.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Explain reversible reactions and changes in equilibrium position.
– Plan routes linking organic functional groups.
Selectable text:
7 Equilibria / 1 Atomic structure / 21 Organic synthesis / 2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 7 Equilibria; 21 Organic synthesis.
Incorrect labels: 1 Atomic structure; 2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry.
Correct feedback: 7 Equilibria: Explain reversible reactions and changes in equilibrium position. Review slide 07. 21 Organic synthesis: Plan routes linking organic functional groups. Review slide 15 and 16.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 1 Atomic structure: Explore particles, electron structure and patterns in atoms. Review slide 03 and 04. 2 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry: Use formulae, equations and amounts of substance in calculations. Review slide 03 and 04.