Qualification
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A LEVEL
Specification
CHEMISTRY A
H432
For first assessment in 2017
Version 2.7 (April 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelchemistrya
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing…A Level Chemistry A (from September 2015) ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional Development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Chemistry A? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Chemistry A? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 4
2 The specification overview 5
2a. Overview of A Level in Chemistry A (H432) 5
2b. Content of A Level in Chemistry A (H432) 6
2c. Content of modules 1 to 6 8
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 64
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Chemistry A 65
3a. Forms of assessment 65
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 66
3c. Total qualification time 66
3d. Assessment availability 67
3e. Retaking the qualification 67
3f. Assessment of extended response 67
3g. Synoptic assessment 67
3h. Calculating qualification results 68
4 Admin: what you need to know 69
4a. Pre-assessment 69
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 71
4c. External assessment arrangements 71
4d. Admin of non-exam assessment 72
4e. Results and certificates 72
4f. Post-results services 73
4g. Malpractice 73
5 Appendices 74
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 74
5b. Avoidance of bias 74
5c. Chemistry A data sheet 75
5d. How Science Works (HSW) 79
5e. Mathematical requirements 80
5f. Health and Safety 86
5g. Practical endorsement 87
5h. Revision of the requirements for practical work 93
Summary of updates 94
Version 2.7 © OCR 2023
A Level in Chemistry A i
, Introducing…
A Level Chemistry A (from September 2015)
This specification allows teachers to adopt a flexible This specification incorporates the Ofqual GCE Subject
approach to the delivery of A Level Chemistry. The Level Conditions and Requirements for Chemistry.
course has been designed to enable centres to
deliver the content modules (Modules 2–6) using the Contact the team
framework provided or to design a customised course.
Practical work done to support teaching of the content We have a dedicated team of people working on our
will serve to cover the requirements of the practical A Level Chemistry qualifications.
skills module (Module 1), which is assessed in written If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
examinations and through the Practical Endorsement.
in touch as follows:
The specification is divided into chemical topics, each
• 01223 553998
containing different key concepts of chemistry. Certain
topics are split over modules, to facilitate co-teaching •
of the AS Level qualification in Chemistry A with the
first year of A Level. Centres that are not co-teaching • @OCR_science
this course with the AS Level may elect to teach these
topics sequentially.
Throughout the specification, cross-references indicate
the relevance of individual learning outcomes to the
mathematical and practical criteria that are embedded
in the assessments.
Version 2.7 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Chemistry A
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A LEVEL
Specification
CHEMISTRY A
H432
For first assessment in 2017
Version 2.7 (April 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelchemistrya
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing…A Level Chemistry A (from September 2015) ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional Development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Chemistry A? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Chemistry A? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 4
2 The specification overview 5
2a. Overview of A Level in Chemistry A (H432) 5
2b. Content of A Level in Chemistry A (H432) 6
2c. Content of modules 1 to 6 8
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 64
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Chemistry A 65
3a. Forms of assessment 65
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 66
3c. Total qualification time 66
3d. Assessment availability 67
3e. Retaking the qualification 67
3f. Assessment of extended response 67
3g. Synoptic assessment 67
3h. Calculating qualification results 68
4 Admin: what you need to know 69
4a. Pre-assessment 69
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 71
4c. External assessment arrangements 71
4d. Admin of non-exam assessment 72
4e. Results and certificates 72
4f. Post-results services 73
4g. Malpractice 73
5 Appendices 74
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 74
5b. Avoidance of bias 74
5c. Chemistry A data sheet 75
5d. How Science Works (HSW) 79
5e. Mathematical requirements 80
5f. Health and Safety 86
5g. Practical endorsement 87
5h. Revision of the requirements for practical work 93
Summary of updates 94
Version 2.7 © OCR 2023
A Level in Chemistry A i
, Introducing…
A Level Chemistry A (from September 2015)
This specification allows teachers to adopt a flexible This specification incorporates the Ofqual GCE Subject
approach to the delivery of A Level Chemistry. The Level Conditions and Requirements for Chemistry.
course has been designed to enable centres to
deliver the content modules (Modules 2–6) using the Contact the team
framework provided or to design a customised course.
Practical work done to support teaching of the content We have a dedicated team of people working on our
will serve to cover the requirements of the practical A Level Chemistry qualifications.
skills module (Module 1), which is assessed in written If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
examinations and through the Practical Endorsement.
in touch as follows:
The specification is divided into chemical topics, each
• 01223 553998
containing different key concepts of chemistry. Certain
topics are split over modules, to facilitate co-teaching •
of the AS Level qualification in Chemistry A with the
first year of A Level. Centres that are not co-teaching • @OCR_science
this course with the AS Level may elect to teach these
topics sequentially.
Throughout the specification, cross-references indicate
the relevance of individual learning outcomes to the
mathematical and practical criteria that are embedded
in the assessments.
Version 2.7 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Chemistry A
