Specification at a glance

Assessment overview

Content is in six modules:

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry
• Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
• Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
• Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
• Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements
• Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis

All components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03, and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Chemistry A.

Content overview

The six modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination
• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations
• Amount of substance
• Acid–base and redox reactions
• Electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3: Periodic table and energy

• The periodic table and periodicity
• Group 2 and the halogens
• Qualitative analysis
• Enthalpy changes
• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts
• Hydrocarbons
• Alcohols and haloalkanes
• Organic synthesis
• Analytical techniques (IR and MS)

Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)
• pH and buffers
• Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
• Redox and electrode potentials
• Transition elements

Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis

• Aromatic compounds
• Carbonyl compounds
• Carboxylic acids and esters
• Nitrogen compounds
• Polymers
• Organic synthesis
• Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement (component 04). Activities that could count towards the practical endorsement are indicated in the specification.

Assessment overview

Content is in four modules:

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry
• Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
• Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
• Module 4 – Core organic chemistry

Both components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete both components to be awarded the OCR AS Level in Chemistry A.

Content overview

The four modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations
• Amount of substance
• Acid–base and redox reactions
• Electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3: Periodic table and energy

• The periodic table and periodicity
• Group 2 and the halogens
• Qualitative analysis
• Enthalpy changes
• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts
• Hydrocarbons
• Alcohols and haloalkanes
• Organic synthesis
• Analytical techniques (IR and MS)

Practical activities are embedded throughout the course to encourage practical activities in the laboratory, enhancing students’ understanding of chemical theory and practical skills.