A guide to A-Level Chemistry

Can alumni chemistry A-Level students chip in 👀

Thank you As one of the incoming Year 12s I’ll definitely refer to this occasionally

Any recommendations on textbooks that cover the new spec?

Hi there!

Are you thinking of taking A-Level Chemistry? Well, that’s great! It is one of the best subjects and if you have a passion, you will definitely enjoy it!

I thought of making this thread as I've seen a lot of students panicking and asking whether A-Level Chemistry is right for them. I’m not sure if a thread like this exists, but I thought this would be a good idea to make it so you future year 12’s know what to expect.

Note:
Personally, I do AQA but the content is quite similar regardless of the exam board. The only major differences you will see is the exam papers and the data sheets and the order of content in the respective textbooks. Remember, this is currently a work in progress so not everything has been uploaded!


What do we learn in A-Level Chemistry?


Which other A-Level subjects pair nicely with A-Level Chemistry?


What revision technique works best?


Is A-Level Chemistry as hard as it is made out to be?



What revision resources/guides would you recommend?





Let me know if you have any other questions! Other A-Level Chemistry students - feel free to chip in and offer some advice!

Hi! It is been a while that I have taken Cjemistry at A levels successfully, so no use for me anylonger. But that is not the point! I just wanted to tell you that I like your idea and effort you have invested in this thread so far. Very helpful for another students who think to take it as A levels!

Thank you!

I wasn't aware you took Chemistry for A-Levels! It is definitely my favourite subject.

There isn't much on it yet, but I'm hoping to build it up slowly every day and I might make one for my other two A-Level subjects Physics and Psychology if this one proves to be popular.

Thank you for taking out the time to comment on this thread. It means a lot.

You are welcome. I am serious, it can really be helpful for students who are thinking about further Chemistry at higher levels. I would even stick it in this forum that students are able to find - or to recommend it at least.

Hi, as an A level chemistry alumni this thread is so good and those resources are lifesavers. I think it's so nice that you're doing this even though I'm done with A levels now. I saw you have only completed AS so I wanted to say that imo year 13 is so much more enjoyable and everything just basically clicks and you recognise the links (you'll understand what I mean when you start it).

If you ever feel like you need any more resources to use I like Allery Chemistry for videos and chemrevise.org to print off topic booklets. Also, chemguide is great for in depth explanations if you're stuck or want to get ahead. Chemsheets is another thing I recommend it's ten pounds a year I think but helped me so much with organic chemistry when I was struggling. I wish you all the best with your A levels

Hi!

Thank you!

My school has started a bit of year 13 content and I have to say, I'm enjoying it slightly more than year 12 content! I have started to see a few links which is great!

I will definitely need to add more resources. Those are great! I didn't know ChemSheets is only £10 a year. My teacher usually gives them out as handouts to our class sometimes, but I might invest in them myself.

Thank you for your support.

If you don't mind me asking, what month did you finish your yr 1 course? thanks

It was quite different this year because of lockdown, but we finished Physical Chemistry by March and Organic Chemistry by May. Then both my teachers split the Inorganic content between themselves and finished the course by the end of June.
We started year 13 content this year too which was great. We have only done a bit of Yr2 Organic, however.

Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any other questions.