GCSE Chemistry specification
GCSE Chemistry (single science) is the study of the composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter - from atomic structure and bonding to chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry, organic chemistry and the chemistry of the Earth and atmosphere. Taken as a separate science it carries roughly double the depth and content of the chemistry strand of GCSE Combined Science and is a foundation for A-level Chemistry and related STEM study.
Assessed entirely by external exams - there is no NEA or coursework. Across all boards students sit two written exam papers (each typically 1 hour 45 minutes, 100–110 marks), one tier of entry. Practical work is compulsory but assessed through the written papers: each board specifies a set of required practicals (AQA/Edexcel 8 each, OCR Practical Activity Groups, WJEC Wales has a separately assessed practical unit), and at least 15% of the qualification marks relate to knowledge and skills from these practicals.
High-level topics
The main areas of content and what a student is expected to know and do.
Structure of the atom, isotopes, relative atomic mass, the development and arrangement of the periodic table, electronic structure, and trends/properties of groups (alkali metals, halogens, noble gates, transition metals).
Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding; states of matter and changes of state; structures (giant ionic, simple molecular, giant covalent, metallic) and how structure explains properties; nanoparticles and bulk materials.
Conservation of mass and balanced equations; relative formula mass; the mole and Avogadro constant; reacting masses, concentration of solutions, limiting reactants, percentage yield, atom economy and (Higher) gas volumes.
Reactivity of metals and the reactivity series, extraction of metals, oxidation and reduction, reactions of acids with metals/bases/carbonates, neutralisation and pH, salts, and electrolysis of molten and aqueous solutions.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions, reaction profiles, bond energy calculations (Higher), and an introduction to electrochemical cells and fuel cells.
Factors affecting rate of reaction (concentration, temperature, surface area, catalysts), collision theory, measuring rates, and reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium (including Le Chatelier-style predictions at Higher).
Crude oil, hydrocarbons, fractional distillation and cracking; alkanes and alkenes; alcohols, carboxylic acids and (Higher) addition and condensation polymers, with naturally occurring polymers.
Pure substances, formulations and chromatography (including Rf values); tests for gases; identifying ions by chemical tests and flame tests; and instrumental methods such as flame emission spectroscopy.
Composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, the greenhouse effect and climate change, carbon footprint, and atmospheric pollutants from fuel combustion.
Finite vs renewable resources and sustainable development; potable water and waste-water treatment; life cycle assessment and recycling; corrosion and alloys; the Haber process and use of NPK fertilisers.
Exam boards
The awarding bodies that offer this qualification, how their papers are structured, and what's distinctive about each - with links to the official specification.
AQA GCSE Chemistry
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, each 1h45 and 100 marks (50% each), tiered Foundation/Higher. Paper 1 covers topics 1–5 (atomic structure & periodic table; bonding/structure/properties; quantitative chemistry; chemical changes; energy changes); Paper 2 covers topics 6–10 (rate & extent of change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis; chemistry of the atmosphere; using resources). No NEA; 8 required practicals assessed in the written papers, with at least 15% of marks relating to practical skills.
What's distinctive
Content is organised into 10 numbered topic areas with a clean Paper 1 / Paper 2 split (topics 1–5 vs 6–10). Eight required practical activities; the spec includes explicit Working Scientifically, Maths and apparatus-and-techniques mappings alongside content.
Past papers & mark schemes
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Chemistry
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, each 1h45 and 100 marks (50% each), tiered Foundation/Higher. Paper 1 (1CH0/1F or 1H) and Paper 2 (1CH0/2F or 2H). First teaching 2016, first certification 2018. No NEA; 8 Core Practicals assessed through the written papers, with at least 15% of marks relating to practical work.
What's distinctive
Content grouped into topics (Key concepts in chemistry; States of matter and mixtures; Chemical changes; Extracting metals and equilibria; Separate chemistry 1 and 2; Groups in the periodic table; Rates of reaction and energy changes; Fuels and Earth science). Some topics ('Separate chemistry') are specific to the single-science chemistry GCSE and not in Combined Science. Uses the 'Core Practical' framing.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
OCR GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Suite - Chemistry A
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, tiered Foundation/Higher. Paper 1 (Particles, elements/compounds/mixtures, chemical reactions, predicting and identifying reactions and products) and Paper 2 (Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions, global challenges, and practical skills). No NEA; practical skills delivered via Practical Activity Groups (PAGs) and assessed in the written papers, with at least 15% of marks relating to practical work.
What's distinctive
One of OCR's two GCSE chemistry suites. 'Gateway' Chemistry A is a concept-led course organised into topic chapters (C1–C7 plus practical skills). OCR uses Practical Activity Groups (PAGs) rather than a numbered list of named required practicals.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
OCR GCSE (9-1) Twenty First Century Science Suite - Chemistry B
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, tiered Foundation/Higher. No NEA; practical skills delivered via Practical Activity Groups (PAGs) and assessed in the written papers, with at least 15% of marks relating to practical work.
What's distinctive
OCR's second, context-led suite, developed with the University of York Science Education Group. Chemistry B uses real-world, narrative contexts and 'ideas about science' to frame the same core chemistry content as Chemistry A, but with a markedly different style and structure.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales)
Papers & assessment
Tiered Foundation/Higher. Assessed by two written exam units (Unit 1: Chemical substances, reactions and essential resources; Unit 2: Chemical bonding, application of chemical reactions and organic chemistry) plus Unit 3: a separately assessed Practical Assessment (an externally marked practical task, with WJEC setting two tasks per year of which learners complete one). For Wales-based centres only.
What's distinctive
Unlike the England boards, WJEC (Wales) retains a distinct, internally completed and externally marked Practical Assessment unit (Unit 3) rather than assessing practical skills solely through the written papers. Approved by Qualifications Wales for centres in Wales.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in Chemistry
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, tiered Foundation/Higher, no NEA. Mirrors the WJEC Chemistry content (Unit 1: Chemical substances, reactions and essential resources; Unit 2: Chemical bonding, application of chemical reactions and organic chemistry) but, as the Ofqual-regulated England version, assesses practical skills through the written papers (at least 15% of marks) rather than via a separate practical unit.
What's distinctive
Eduqas is WJEC's brand for England, regulated by Ofqual. The chemistry content is shared with WJEC's Wales spec, but Eduqas drops the standalone Unit 3 Practical Assessment in favour of practical skills examined through the written papers - the key delivery difference from WJEC (Wales).
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
All boards offer single-science GCSE Chemistry as a tiered (Foundation/Higher), linear qualification assessed by two written exam papers with no coursework/NEA, and all require at least 15% of marks to relate to practical work. The biggest structural difference is OCR, which offers TWO chemistry suites: the concept-led Gateway Science Chemistry A (J248) and the context-led, real-world Twenty First Century Science Chemistry B (J258) - same core content, very different framing and structure. AQA (8462) and Edexcel (1CH0) both run two 1h45/100-mark papers; AQA splits content cleanly across 10 numbered topics (Paper 1 = topics 1–5, Paper 2 = 6–10), while Edexcel groups content into named topic areas including 'Separate chemistry 1 & 2' that exist only in the single-science award. Practical work is handled differently: AQA and Edexcel publish a fixed list of 8 named required/core practicals, OCR uses Practical Activity Groups (PAGs), and WJEC (Wales) uniquely retains a separately assessed Practical Assessment unit (Unit 3). Eduqas is WJEC's Ofqual-regulated England brand sharing WJEC's content but, like the other English boards, assessing practicals through the written papers rather than a standalone unit. Choice of board in England is usually made by the school; the content and grading (1–9) are broadly equivalent.
Original sources
Straight from the awarding bodies - the specifications these summaries are drawn from.
Looking at other subjects?
Every GCSE we cover has a guide like this - topics, boards and what to expect.
All subject guidesLooking for A-level subjects?
A-level guides like these live on ALevelwiz - same family, same account, built for A-level students.
Visit alevelwiz.com