Changes in the updated A-Level Chemistry syllabus (subject code 9729) are bound to raise questions among students, especially those familiar with the old version (subject code 9647). There’s no need to worry though, because we spent forever scrutinizing the changes between the two syllabi so that you are saved the trouble of doing so. So what are the differences between the new H2 Chemistry Syllabus (code 9729) and old?
Read on to discover our paper-by-paper difference analysis and tips on how to best prepare for Chemistry 9729. Let’s get started!
Main Content
Before we discuss the finer alterations made in each paper, let’s take a look at changes in the overall subject matter. You’ll be relieved to know that there have been no major edits, that is, no chapters have been completely removed and nothing entirely new has been added. However:
- There has been a noticeable change is in the syllabus for Inorganic Chemistry. Group II (magnesium to barium) and Group VII (chlorine to iodine) elements are referred to as Group 2 and Group 17 elements respectively, in the new syllabus.
- Subject matter on Proteins has been removed from Organic Chemistry. Your days of struggling with amino acids are done!
Since most of the topics still remain the same you can still use questions from previous years and resources like guide books you already have to practice.
Paper-Wise Analysis
There are 4 papers in the A-Level Chemistry exam, and now that you know a summary of the main differences, you’re ready to take a look at the detailed changes in each.
- Paper 1 – Multiple Choice Questions, duration: 1 hour
In the old syllabus, students had to answer 40 multiple choice questions within an hour; this has been reduced to 30 questions now, within the same timeframe. Since there are fewer questions it is quite possible that they may be more challenging or the calculations lengthier than previous papers; the extra time definitely helps, of course. The second change in Paper 1 is that whereas its weight used to be 20% in the previous syllabus, this has now been reduced to 15% instead.
- Paper 2 – Structured Questions, duration: 2 hours
This paper tests how candidates evaluate information and includes data-based questions for this very purpose. All of the questions in Paper 2 are compulsory. The main changes to note in Paper 2 is that its weight has been increased from 25% to 30% and that the Planning Question has been shifted to Paper 4 now.
In order to do well in this section, candidates should have knowledge upon all aspects of the Chemistry syllabus and should be able to apply the concepts in innovative and conceptual questions. Paper 2 is defined to test students’ thinking skills, and since its weight has increased, candidates should expect a bit more challenge from it in future exams.
- Paper 3 (Free Response Questions), duration: 2 hours
Paper 3 has been divided into two sections in the new syllabus. All of the questions in Section A are compulsory; it will consist of 3 to 4 questions, each carrying a valuation of 15 to 20 marks. The total marks allotted to Section A is 60.
Section B on the other hand, has options for the students. They will need to attempt 1 question out of 2, with it being worth 20 marks. Therefore, when combined the whole of Paper 3 holds 80 marks in total, which is the same as the old syllabus; it’s weight also remains unchanged at 35%. The main changes have occurred in the structuring of the paper. Previously, candidates had to answer 4 out of 5 questions, whereas now the paper has been split into sections, with one part being made compulsory for all.
- Paper 4 (Practical), Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
The weight of the practical Chemistry exam is 20% of the whole syllabus. Candidates will be tested on various skills including planning, measurement and observation, presentation of results and data, analysis, etc. The biggest change in the new syllabus lies in Paper 4 because, the School-based Science Practical Assessment (SPA) has been officially removed.
Previously, the marks of the practical exam was split into three stages for candidates: they sat for one exam in JC1 Term 3, one in JC2 Term 2, and the remaining planning question was embedded as a part of Paper 2. All of these sections have now been combined into one big paper. As a result, it can cause a bit more pressure for candidates, since they can no longer prepare for the paper in stages.
The good news is that the changes in the new Chemistry Syllabus do not involve huge additions to or removals from the core content – most of the change is structural. For instance, the syllabus points are now arranged into ‘Core Ideas’ and Extension Topics’, but the points themselves remain unchanged.
No matter the syllabus, the key to doing well in the exam still remains the same: practice, practice, and a lot more practice!
