GCSE Get help and support Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/462 CHEMISTRY You can talk directly to the science subject team (8462) E: [email protected] T: 01483 477 756 Specification For teaching from September 2016 onwards For exams in 2018 onwards Version 1.1 04 October 2019 aqa.org.uk Copyright © 2016 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. AQA retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, schools and colleges registered with AQA are permitted to copy material from this specification for their own internal use. G A36Q4A4 E7d2u3c)a. tOiounr (rAeQgAis)t eisr ead raedgdisrteesrse dis cAhQaAri,t yD (envuams bSetrre 1e0t,7 M3a3n3c4h)e asntedr aM c1o5m 6pEanXy. limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 00569 AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.1 04 October 2019 Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Chemistry 5 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 6 2 Specification at a glance 9 2.1 Subject content 9 2.2 Assessments 9 3 Working scientifically 11 4 Subject content 17 4.1 Atomic structure and the periodic table 17 4.2 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 26 4.3 Quantitative chemistry 36 4.4 Chemical changes 43 4.5 Energy changes 51 4.6 The rate and extent of chemical change 55 4.7 Organic chemistry 61 4.8 Chemical analysis 70 4.9 Chemistry of the atmosphere 75 4.10 Using resources 80 4.11 Key ideas 89 5 Scheme of assessment 91 5.1 Aims and learning outcomes 91 5.2 Assessment objectives 92 5.3 Assessment weightings 93 6 General administration 95 6.1 Entries and codes 95 6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 95 6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 95 6.4 Resits and shelf life 96 6.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 96 6.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 96 6.7 Working with AQA for the first time 97 6.8 Private candidates 97 7 Mathematical requirements 99 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 3 8 Practical assessment 101 8.1 Use of apparatus and techniques 101 8.2 Required practical activities 102 9 Appendix A: periodic table 109 Are you using the latest version of this specification? • You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at aqa.org.uk/8462 • We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification. 4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.1 04 October 2019 1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Chemistry Our philosophy: science for all We believe that science has something to offer every student. That’s why we have a suite of science qualifications for Key Stage 4 – to suit students of all abilities and all aspirations. You'll see that our GCSE Chemistry, along with Biology and Physics, is a clear straightforward specification, with clear straightforward exams, so all your students can realise their potential. Our specification has been developed with teachers We’ve involved over a thousand teachers in developing our specification, exams and resources. So you can be confident that our GCSE Chemistry is relevant and interesting to teach and to learn. We’ve ensured that: • the subject content is presented clearly, in a logical teaching order. We’ve also given teaching guidance and signposted opportunities for skills development throughout the specification • the subject content and required practicals in our GCSE Combined Science:Trilogy are also in our GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. So you have the flexibility to co-teach or to move your students between courses • all our science qualifications provide opportunities for progression. Our GCSE includes progression in the subject content and consistency in the exam questions, so that your students have the best preparation for A-level. Our practicals have been trialled by teachers There’s no better way to learn about science than through purposeful practical activities as part of day-to-day teaching and learning. Our eight required practicals: • are clearly laid out in the specification, so you know exactly what’s required • are deliberately open, so you can teach in the way that suits you and your students • have already been trialled in schools. You’ll find even more support and guidance in our practical handbook, which includes recommendations and advice from teachers in the trial. Straightforward exams, so students can give straightforward answers We’ve improved our question papers. You’ll find that our exams: • use more straightforward language and fewer words so they’re easier to understand • have fewer contexts so students don’t get confused • have questions that increase in difficulty so students feel confident • have been written with our GCSE Maths and A-level science teams, so students have consistency between content and questions. Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 5 Over 3,000 students have sat our specimen question papers and they agree that they’re clearer and more straightforward than ever. We don’t profit from education – you do We are an educational charity focused on the needs of teachers and students. This means that we spend our income on improving the quality of our specifications, exams, resources and support. You can find out all about our Science qualifications at aqa.org.uk/science 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams. Teaching resources Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 to see all our teaching resources. They include: • additional practice papers to help students prepare for exams • schemes of work, written by experienced teachers • a practical handbook, including recommendations and advice from teachers who’ve trialled our practicals • AQA-approved textbooks reviewed by experienced senior examiners • subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration. Preparing for exams Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including: • past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports • sample papers and mark schemes for new courses • Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions • example student answers with examiner commentaries. Analyse your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA) Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development Wherever you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As well as subject- specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills. • Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements. • Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management courses. 6 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.1 04 October 2019 You can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online – whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at coursesandevents.aqa.org.uk Help and support available Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/8462 If you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails and updates at aqa.org.uk/keepinformedscience Alternatively, you can call or email our subject team direct. E: [email protected] T: 01483 477 756 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 7 8 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 1.1 04 October 2019 2 Specification at a glance This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. 2.1 Subject content 1. Atomic structure and the periodic table (page 17) 2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter (page 26) 3. Quantitative chemistry (page 36) 4. Chemical changes (page 43) 5. Energy changes (page 51) 6. The rate and extent of chemical change (page 55) 7. Organic chemistry (page 61) 8. Chemical analysis (page 70) 9. Chemistry of the atmosphere (page 75) 10. Using resources (page 80) 11. Key ideas (page 89) 2.2 Assessments Paper 1: What's assessed Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes. How it's assessed • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes • Foundation and Higher Tier • 100 marks • 50% of GCSE Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response. Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration 9 Paper 2: What's assessed Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. Questions in Paper 2 may draw on fundamental concepts and principles from sections 4.1 to 4.3. How it's assessed • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes • Foundation and Higher Tier • 100 marks • 50% of GCSE Questions Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response. 10 Visit aqa.org.uk/8462 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration