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How to Revise International A-Level Chemistry

Build confidence in International A-Level Chemistry with practice on physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.

Revision Strategy

Revising Chemistry requires a blend of memorisation and understanding. You need to recall key facts, definitions, and processes, but you also need to understand the underlying principles well enough to apply them to unfamiliar scenarios. Start each topic by learning the core concepts, then test yourself with application questions that require you to use your knowledge in new contexts.

Diagrams are one of the most powerful revision tools for Chemistry. Whether it is the structure of a cell, an energy level diagram, or a circuit, being able to draw and label diagrams from memory cements your understanding far more effectively than re-reading text. Practise reproducing key diagrams until you can do so accurately without any reference material.

Do not neglect the practical and mathematical elements. Chemistry exams include questions on required practicals and expect you to perform calculations confidently. Practise interpreting data tables, plotting graphs, calculating rates and percentages, and evaluating experimental methods. These skills are tested every year and are straightforward marks if you have prepared.

Study Tips for International A-Level Chemistry

  • Master organic reaction mechanisms by drawing them out repeatedly. Understanding electron movement, curly arrows and the logic behind each mechanism is far more effective than rote memorisation.
  • Create a comprehensive summary of periodic trends (atomic radius, ionisation energy, electronegativity, reactivity) and practice explaining these trends in terms of atomic structure.
  • Practice multi-step calculations (moles, concentrations, energetics, equilibria) daily. International A-Level Chemistry is quantitatively demanding, and speed and accuracy come only from regular practice.
  • Build reaction maps for organic chemistry showing how different functional groups can be interconverted. This is essential for synthesis questions.

Exam Tips for International A-Level Chemistry

  • Always show units and significant figures in calculation answers. International A-Level mark schemes specifically penalise incorrect or missing units and inappropriate significant figures.
  • For mechanism questions, draw curly arrows clearly from the electron-rich site to the electron-poor site. Poorly drawn arrows are a common reason for losing marks.
  • In synoptic questions that span multiple topics, identify which areas of chemistry are being tested and structure your answer to address each aspect systematically.

Topics to Cover

9 topics in International A-Level Chemistry

Atoms & Bonding
Energetics
Kinetics
Equilibria
Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Analytical Techniques
Practical Skills

Available Exam Boards

International A-Level Chemistry specification guides for each exam board

Frequently Asked Questions

Is International A-Level Chemistry accepted for medicine? +
Yes. Medical schools in the UK and internationally accept International A-Level Chemistry as equivalent to the domestic A-Level. Chemistry is required or strongly preferred by virtually all medical schools.
How does the modular structure work for International A-Level Chemistry? +
You sit individual unit exams at different points during the course (typically January, June and October for Edexcel International). Your best result for each unit counts towards the final grade. This means you can resit specific units without retaking the entire qualification.
Is International A-Level Chemistry harder than iGCSE Chemistry? +
Significantly. A-Level Chemistry requires deeper understanding, more complex calculations, organic reaction mechanisms and the ability to apply knowledge to unfamiliar contexts. Strong iGCSE foundations in bonding, stoichiometry and the periodic table are essential.
What maths skills do I need for International A-Level Chemistry? +
You need confidence with algebra, logarithms, standard form, significant figures and graph interpretation. The quantitative demands are substantial, particularly in physical chemistry topics such as energetics, kinetics and equilibria.

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