Cambridge IAS-Level · Analysis & Prediction

2026 Cambridge IAS-Level Chemistry (9701) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

The Cambridge International AS Level Chemistry examination provides balanced coverage across Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry, coupled with practical laboratory skills. Paper 1 assesses conceptual breadth, reaction pathways, and stoichiometry; Paper 2 emphasizes chemical equilibrium equilibria calculations, mechanistic organic chemistry, and Period 3/Group 2 trends; Paper 3 rigorously tests precision volumetric titration, gravimetric thermal analysis, and inorganic qualitative analysis.

Updated: 23 Sept 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.1/5

Total marks

140

Duration

270 mins

Most tested

Quantitative Stoichiometry and Equilibrium Calculations

Paper breakdown

Paper 14 (Multiple Choice): 40 marks · 75 minsPaper 24 (AS Level Structured Questions): 60 marks · 75 minsPaper 34 (Advanced Practical Skills 2): 40 marks · 120 mins

Top chapters

Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry · 22 marksThe Periodic Table: chemical periodicity · 16 marksNitrogen and sulfur · 12 marks

Assessment Verdict & Key Marks Breakdown

The May/June 2026 series for AS Chemistry (9701) represents a fair and highly standard assessment, balancing core calculations, mechanistic organic chemistry, and practical bench skills. The assessment total of 140 marks across Papers 14, 24, and 34 rewards methodical execution and rigorous chemical nomenclature.

Substantial mark weighting is concentrated in:

Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry: Heavy in Paper 3 volumetric titration (iodometric titration against thiosulfate) and gravimetric water-of-crystallisation analysis, as well as equilibrium mole fractions.
Equilibria & Reaction Kinetics: Centred on the Haber process, requiring multi-step \(K_p\) algebraic manipulation, partial pressure definitions, and Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution curve sketching.
Organic Reaction Mechanisms & Periodicity: In-depth testing of electrophilic addition (carbocation stability and curly-arrow precision) alongside Period 3 chloride/oxide trends.

Common Pitfalls & Mark Scheme Insights

Mark schemes highlight recurring areas where candidates lose avoidable marks:

Mechanism Geometry: In electrophilic addition of \(\text{HBr}\) to alkenes, curly arrows must originate unambiguously from the double bond \(\pi\)-cloud and point directly to the electrophilic hydrogen. The subsequent arrow from the \(\text{H-Br}\) bond to bromine must clearly reach the bromine atom.
Equilibrium Tables (ICE): When calculating equilibrium quantities for \(\text{N}_2 + 3\text{H}_2 \rightleftharpoons 2\text{NH}_3\), candidates frequently forget stoichiometric ratios (e.g., using \(1.62\) instead of \(3 \times 1.62 = 4.86\) for hydrogen consumed).
Laboratory Precision: All burette readings must be recorded to the nearest \(0.05\text{ cm}^3\), and qualitative test observations must distinguish between solutions, precipitates, and gas evolution tests (e.g., specifying that the glowing splint relights for \(\text{O}_2\)).

Strategic Revision & Prediction Focus

With heavy emphasis placed this series on gas-phase equilibria and alkene electrophilic addition, future series are primed to rotate towards mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns, enthalpy cycles (Hess's Law Born-Haber style calculations), haloalkane substitution mechanisms (\(\text{S}_\text{N}1\) vs \(\text{S}_\text{N}2\)), and esterification/hydroxy compound identification.

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Charts

Marks by chapter

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Question type mix

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Multiple Choice40 marks · 40 questions
Structured Theory & Calculations60 marks · 18 questions
Practical Investigation & Data Analysis40 marks · 11 questions

Mark accessibility

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81%within easy or medium reach

easy: 52 marksmedium: 61 markshard: 27 marks

Difficulty trend

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Command word frequency

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Skill weighting

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Study ROI

Higher bubbles carry more marks; bubbles further left are easier. Start with the topics that sit high and to the left.

Period 3 & Group 2 Periodic Trends & Chemical Reactions

24 marks · Difficulty 2.5

Volumetric & Gravimetric Stoichiometry (Titrations & Moles)

22 marks · Difficulty 2.6

Inorganic Qualitative Analysis (Precipitates & Gas Tests)

15 marks · Difficulty 2.8

Gas Equilibria (Kp calculations & ICE tables)

11 marks · Difficulty 3.4

Organic Reaction Mechanisms (Electrophilic addition & Carbocation stability)

11 marks · Difficulty 3.2

Time vs marks

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marksmins

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, and why. These are informed guesses from past papers, not a forecast.

Chemical Energetics (Hess's Law & Bond Energies)

Energetics was lightly tested in Paper 1 and absent from Paper 2 in this series. Past history shows full Hess Law cycles or calorimetry calculations appear in almost every alternative session.

Halogenoalkane Nucleophilic Substitution Mechanisms (SN1 / SN2)

Only touched upon in Paper 1 MCQs; a full structured mechanistic comparison with stereochemical inversion or rate dependence is heavily overdue in Paper 2.

Mass Spectrometry (M+1 and M+2 Isotope Abundance Calculations)

Continues to be a reliable source of 3-5 marks across alternating series for deducing carbon counts and halogen isotopes (Cl/Br).

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade boundaries, taken from the table below when this year's are known. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

Topic-year heatmap

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Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases) (Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry)

Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry

Chemical energetics (AS)

Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3 (The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity)

Alkenes (Hydrocarbons)

Carbonyl compounds (AS)

Isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism (An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry)

Group 17

The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity

Chemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium (Equilibria)

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Drawing curly arrows incorrectly: arrows must start directly from the electron pair or covalent/pi bond and point precisely to the receiving atom.
Failing to account for stoichiometric coefficients when filling equilibrium (ICE) tables for N2 + 3H2 -> 2NH3.
In practical titrations, omitting units (/ cm3) in table headings or failing to record all accurate burette readings to two decimal places ending in .00 or .05.
In qualitative tests, writing 'no observation' or '-' instead of 'no change' or 'colourless solution'.

Misconceptions

Believing catalysts increase the percentage yield at equilibrium rather than simply increasing the rate of reaching equilibrium.
Confusing the stability of the carbocation intermediate with the stability of the final product in Markovnikov additions.
Assuming Group 2 hydroxide solubility decreases down the group (confusing it with sulfate solubility trends).

Where marks are lost

Losing significant figure marks in Paper 3 calculations by rounding intermediate values too early or giving final answers to only 1 or 2 sig figs.
Neglecting state symbols when asked explicitly for ionic equations in qualitative practical sections.
Sketching Boltzmann distribution curves at higher temperatures that cross the original curve more than once or fail to start at the origin.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: 23 Sept 2026

Source: Cambridge International grade thresholds (official)

Grade	Mark	Percentage
A	92/130	71%
B	76/130	59%
C	63/130	49%
D	50/130	39%
E	37/130	29%

The source quotes these grade boundaries out of 130 marks, while this page uses the paper total of 140. Compare the percentages, not the raw marks.

Official grade boundaries published by Cambridge International grade thresholds (official).

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