GCSE Chemistry 2027: papers, exam dates, grade boundaries and topics

GCSE Chemistry papers and specifications

This guide is for the separate science GCSE in Chemistry. If you take Combined Science, you sit chemistry papers inside that GCSE instead. Ask your teacher which board and specification you are on.

Both papers count equally, and you must sit both at the same tier. At least 20% of the marks on each tier come from questions shared by Foundation and Higher, and at least 15% test your knowledge of practical work (Ofqual).

AQA GCSE Chemistry specification and topics

The AQA GCSE Chemistry specification has ten topics. AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 covers topics 1 to 5, and Paper 2 covers topics 6 to 10, though Paper 2 can also draw on the basic ideas from the start of the course.

Each paper mixes multiple choice, structured, short answer and open response questions. Edexcel and OCR cover the same core chemistry in a different order, so check your own specification's topic list.

GCSE Chemistry exam dates 2027

Dates are from the final timetables of AQA, Edexcel and OCR. On OCR Gateway, Papers 1 and 2 are Foundation and Papers 3 and 4 are Higher. GCSE results day is Thursday 19 August 2027, and entries close on 21 February 2027 (JCQ).

GCSE Chemistry periodic table and equations

You are given a periodic table in every GCSE Chemistry exam, so use it for relative atomic masses rather than memorising them. Unlike GCSE Physics and Combined Science, GCSE Chemistry has no equation sheet: the 2027 sheets cover maths, physics and combined science only. Learn these yourself:

• Number of moles = mass ÷ relative formula mass (Higher)
• Concentration in g/dm³ = mass ÷ volume in dm³
• Percentage by mass of an element = (Ar × number of atoms ÷ Mr) × 100
• Mean rate of reaction = quantity used or made ÷ time
• Rf value = distance moved by substance ÷ distance moved by solvent
• Percentage yield = actual yield ÷ theoretical yield × 100

GCSE Chemistry grade boundaries

Grade boundaries are set on your total for both papers and change every year. These are from June 2026 (AQA, Edexcel and OCR).

Boundaries differ a lot between boards because the papers differ. A grade 4 on AQA Higher took 43 out of 200, while on Foundation it took 110. Compare your mock marks with your own board's numbers, and treat them as a guide.

Required practicals

Every GCSE Chemistry student must complete at least eight practical activities set by the exam board. AQA calls them required practicals. You aren't marked in the lab, but questions about the method, the variables, the risks and the results appear on both papers. Analyse results in the Practical Data Lab or try the Titration Lab.

GCSE Chemistry calculations, worked through

At least 20% of the marks test maths. We wrote these questions for this guide, from Foundation up to Higher.

Percentage by mass (Foundation and Higher)

Question: find the percentage by mass of nitrogen in ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃ (Ar: N = 14, H = 1, O = 16).

1. Mr = 14 + (4 × 1) + 14 + (3 × 16) = 80.
2. There are two nitrogen atoms, so their mass is 2 × 14 = 28.
3. Percentage = 28 ÷ 80 × 100 = 35%.

Counting only one nitrogen is the usual slip. Check Mr values with the Molar Mass Calculator.

Relative atomic mass from isotopes (Higher)

Question: chlorine is 75% chlorine-35 and 25% chlorine-37. Find its relative atomic mass.

The answer must lie between the two masses, and nearer the more common isotope. Try one from our Atomic Structure course and press Mark.

Reacting masses (Higher)

Question: 25.0 g of calcium carbonate is heated: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂. What mass of carbon dioxide forms? (Mr: CaCO₃ = 100, CO₂ = 44)

1. Moles of CaCO₃ = 25.0 ÷ 100 = 0.250 mol.
2. One CaCO₃ gives one CO₂, so 0.250 mol of carbon dioxide forms.
3. Mass of CO₂ = 0.250 × 44 = 11.0 g.

Always go through moles, using the ratio from the balanced equation. The Stoichiometry Calculator shows each step.

GCSE Chemistry past papers and revision

Past papers and mark schemes are free from AQA, Edexcel and OCR, though the newest are often kept back for teachers to use as mocks. For revision that works:

1. Learn the equations above until you can write and rearrange them without looking.
2. Revise each required practical: the method, the variables, and how you would make it more accurate.
3. Practise six mark questions. Plan the points first, then write them in a logical order.
4. Mark against the mark scheme, and notice the exact words that earn each mark.
5. Do timed papers. 105 minutes for 100 marks is just over a minute a mark.

Common GCSE Chemistry mistakes

• Unbalanced equations. Check every element has the same number of atoms on both sides.
• "Ions" and "molecules" mixed up. Sodium chloride is made of ions. Water is made of molecules.
• Breaking bonds in a melting giant structure versus overcoming forces between molecules: say which one the substance has.
• Electrolysis at the wrong electrode. Positive ions go to the negative electrode (cathode), negative ions to the positive one (anode).
• Missing units on concentrations, rates and masses.

Use a daily paper as a short timed mock

Year 11 mocks run through the winter. Between them, sit today's Foundation or Higher paper, with a periodic table beside you. For dates and whether mocks count, see the GCSE mocks guide. Our GCSE Chemistry mock paper page compares the daily paper with the real exam and shows how to sit it.

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