Course structure for Edexcel Biology and Chemistry - Part Two

In my previous post, I explained the units tested in the Biology specification. I have yet to explain: the units tested in the Chemistry specification, grades/marks/UMS and the written alternative to practicals/coursework. After these introductory posts, I plan to start posting resources for each subject. I will occasionally post updates for Physics and Mathematics (w/ Mechanics) so keep an eye out for those posts as well.

Details about a particular unit will be posted when I begin to post content on a given unit. Such details include: number of questions in the paper, the time allotted for the paper, number of sections in the paper and the synoptic factor of each paper (at the A2 level).

EDEXCEL CHEMISTRY

The official specification can be downloaded here.

The international extension to this specification is here.

The specification code for AS Chemistry is: 8CH01

The specification code for A2 Chemistry is: 9CH01

You will have to take a total of six units in the entire course. Units 1, 2, 4 and 5 include the actual content which you must learn. Units 3, 3B, 6 and 6B examine practical aspects to the course. I will focus more on Units 3B and 6B since these are the written alternatives to coursework and they often test content taken directly from the specification. The codes for Unit 3 and 6 are: 6CH03 & 6CH06. The codes for 3B and 6B are: 6CH07 & 6CH08.

Each of the 'main' units is divided into several topics.

Unit 1: The Core Principles of Chemistry, 6CH01

-Formulae, equations and amounts of substance

Energetics

Atomic structure and the periodic table

Bonding

Introductory organic chemistry: Alkanes + Alkenes

Unit 2: Application of Core Principles of Chemistry, 6CH02

-Shapes of molecules and ions

Intermediate bonding and bond polarity

Intermolecular forces

Redox

The periodic table — groups 2 and 7

Kinetics

Chemical equilibria

Organic chemistry: Alcohols, Halogenoalkanes

Mechanisms

Mass spectra and IR

Green Chemistry

Unit 4: General Principles of Chemistry I – Rates,Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry, 6CH04

-How fast? – rates

How far? – entropy

Equilibria

Application of rates and equilibrium

Acid/base equilibria

Further organic chemistry: Chirality, Carbonyls, Carboxylic acids + derivatives

Spectroscopy and chromatography

Unit 5: General Principles of Chemistry II – Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry, 6CH05

-Redox and the chemistry of the transition metals

Organic chemistry – arenes, nitrogen compounds and synthesis

The A2 units seem to have less content than the AS ones. Do NOT be fooled. You will be required to use AS knowledge in your entire A2 course. In addition, the topics in Unit 2 (redox, kinetics and equilibria) are only introductory. You go much more in depth at the A2 level.

In each of these unit tests, you will be present with objective questions (choosing answers from given options), structured questions and short answer questions. Short answer questions require you to write a phrase or a word. Structure questions will require you to carefully think about your answer and arrange your ideas in a logical manner. Questions denoted with an asterisk (*) will test your quality of written communication (QWC). Your answers to QWC questions must use correct grammar and appropriate language. You must avoid spelling key terms incorrectly. It is usually best to write your QWC answers in prose format but I do think that answers in bullet or point form can score full marks provided that you fulfill the stated QWC requirements and you include relevant points.

If you have any questions or doubts and you need advice you are always welcome to contact me :)