AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462): papers, topics and grade boundaries

AQA GCSE Chemistry papers at a glance

The specification is AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 (version 1.1, October 2019). Both papers come in Foundation and Higher tiers, and you sit both at the same tier. Questions are multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response. AQA says Paper 2 questions may draw on the ideas in atomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistry from sections 4.1 to 4.3, so those three topics count twice. The June 2023 paper covers list a ruler and a scientific calculator,.

What each AQA GCSE Chemistry paper covers

Paper 1: atoms, bonding, moles and energy

• Atomic structure and the periodic table: a model of the atom, relative atomic mass, the periodic table and groups 0, 1 and 7. The properties of transition metals are chemistry only.
• Bonding, structure and properties: ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, how structure links to properties, the structure and bonding of carbon, and nanoparticles.
• Quantitative chemistry: conservation of mass, relative formula mass, the mole, limiting reactants and concentrations of solutions. Yield and atom economy are chemistry only.
• Chemical changes: reactivity of metals, reactions of acids, and electrolysis.
• Energy changes: exothermic and endothermic reactions, reaction profiles and bond energies. Chemical cells and fuel cells are chemistry only.

Paper 2: rates, organic chemistry, analysis and resources

• Rate and extent of chemical change: rates of reaction, collision theory, catalysts, and reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium.
• Organic chemistry: crude oil, alkanes and cracking. Reactions of alkenes and alcohols, and polymers, are chemistry only.
• Chemical analysis: purity, formulations, chromatography and R_(f) values, and tests for gases and ions.
• Chemistry of the atmosphere: the changing atmosphere, greenhouse gases, climate change and air pollutants.
• Using resources: potable water, life cycle assessment and recycling. Using materials, the Haber process and NPK fertilisers are chemistry only.

AQA GCSE Chemistry required practicals

There are eight required practical activities, and they are assessed through the written papers. They are: making a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate; the reacting volumes of solutions in a titration (chemistry only); electrolysis of aqueous solutions; temperature changes in reacting solutions; how concentration affects rate; paper chromatography; tests to identify ions; and analysis and purification of water samples. Expect questions that ask you to plan, name the apparatus, pick the right variable and describe a hazard.

Worked examples in AQA style

Quantitative chemistry: moles and titration volume

How many moles are in 2.9 g of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, and what volume of 0.50 mol/dm³ hydrochloric acid reacts with it? Use Aᵣ values Mg = 24, O = 16, H = 1.

The equation is Mg(OH)₂ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + 2H₂O, so the moles of acid are double:

Percentage yield

Heating 10.0 g of calcium carbonate gives 4.2 g of calcium oxide. CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂, with Mᵣ of CaCO₃ = 100 and CaO = 56. The theoretical yield is 10.0 × 56 ÷ 100 = 5.6 g, so:

Energy changes (Higher): bond energies

For H₂ + Cl₂ → 2HCl the bond energies given are H-H 436, Cl-Cl 242 and H-Cl 431 kJ/mol. Energy in to break bonds, minus energy out when bonds form:

A negative overall value means more energy is released than taken in. Practise this in our Chemical Bonding course, then press Mark to check your answer in the course:

AQA GCSE Chemistry grade boundaries

These are AQA's raw boundaries for the whole qualification, out of 200: the lowest total that earns each grade. AQA published the June 2026 figures on 20 August 2026 and June 2025 on 21 August 2025. Foundation awards grades 5 to 1 and Higher grades 9 to 3.

AQA GCSE Chemistry Higher tier boundaries

AQA GCSE Chemistry Foundation tier boundaries

The Higher grade 4 boundary was 43 in 2026 and 42 in 2025, almost the same, while grade 9 moved from 150 to 155. TheAQA GCSE grade boundaries 2026 guidecompares every subject.

How AQA GCSE Chemistry differs from Edexcel

Both boards set two 1 hour 45 minute papers of 100 marks, with a calculator allowed. Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) is organised in nine topics instead of ten sections: Paper 1 covers key concepts, states of matter and mixtures, chemical changes, extracting metals and equilibria and separate chemistry 1, and Paper 2 covers key concepts again, groups in the periodic table, rates and energy changes, fuels and Earth science and separate chemistry 2. Edexcel also lists eight core practicals. The big difference for revision is that AQA puts rates and equilibrium in Paper 2 while Edexcel splits equilibria and rates across both papers. See theEdexcel GCSE Chemistry guideif that is your board.

Use the daily paper as a short timed mock

Uni-Sine publishes a free daily paper on theGCSE Chemistry HigherandGCSE Chemistry Foundationtracks. Each is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full AQA paper, and it is not written by AQA. It covers atomic structure, bonding, moles and reacting masses, titration, rates and collision theory, equilibrium, electrolysis, energy changes, organic chemistry, chemical analysis and the atmosphere. Sit it without notes and keep a list of the calculation types you keep dropping marks on.

Common mistakes in AQA GCSE Chemistry

• Mixing up Mᵣ and Aᵣ. Add up every atom in the formula, including the number in front of brackets.
• Forgetting to use the balanced equation ratio. The mole ratio, not the mass ratio, links reactants and products.
• Using cm³ instead of dm³. Divide by 1000 before concentration = moles ÷ volume.
• Bond energy signs. Breaking bonds takes energy in, making bonds gives it out.
• Describing tests loosely. Name the reagent and the exact observation, for example lime water turning milky for carbon dioxide.

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. We do not publish official or past paper answers. Every question on the daily paper is our own.

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