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7405 · AQA A Level

7405/11

Paper 1

Chemistry · June 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 4.0/5

Analysis source: AQA

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

4.0 / 5

Total marks

300

Duration

360 min

Most tested topic

Rate equations

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

300

Duration

360 min

Session difficulty

4.0 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms.

2

Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redox chemistry.

3

Paper 2 was exceptionally mathematical, featuring a heavy kinetics section including Arrhenius activation energy calculations and quantitative polymer titration.

4

Paper 3 blended challenging practical assessments with a highly competitive multiple-choice section.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Mathematical and5
Application of4
Practical and3
Knowledge2
Recall1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Mathematical andMathematical andApplication ofApplication ofPractical andPractical andKnowledgeKnowledgeRecallRecall
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical and

    Weight: 5100%
  • Application of

    Weight: 480%
  • Practical and

    Weight: 360%
  • Knowledge

    Weight: 240%
  • Recall

    Weight: 120%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A*

Approx. 79% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 65% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 53% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 40% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 28% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 16% of maximum mark

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

CalculateFrequency: 18

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

NameFrequency: 32

Match the expected response style for “Name” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 15

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

OutlineFrequency: 14

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

DeduceFrequency: 12

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

DefineFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 3 Practical &…50m / 30 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 2 Structured …70m / 60 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Paper 1 Structured …120m / 51 marks

Min per mark: 0.4

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Rate equations

28 marks this session

Acids and bases

22 marks this session

Transition metals

22 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Organic synthesis

27
45
72

Acids and bases

22
24
21
67

Rate equations

28
21
49

Transition metals

22
19
41

Organic analysis

31
31

Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

23
23

Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

15
15

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 June 2022 · 4.0/52023 June 2023 · 4.0/52024 June 2024 · 4.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry:

105 marks120 min

Paper 2: Organic and Physical Chemistry:

105 marks120 min

Paper 3: Practical, Synoptic and MCQ:

90 marks120 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms.

  • 2Message

    Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redox chemistry.

  • 3Message

    Paper 2 was exceptionally mathematical, featuring a heavy kinetics section including Arrhenius activation energy calculations and quantitative polymer titration.

  • 4Message

    Paper 3 blended challenging practical assessments with a highly competitive multiple-choice section.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2022 2022

Chemistry

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms. Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redo

  • The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms.

  • Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redox chemistry.

  • Paper 2 was exceptionally mathematical, featuring a heavy kinetics section including Arrhenius activation energy calculations and quantitative polymer titration.

Total marks
300
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5

Session analysis

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms. Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redox chemistry. Paper 2 was exceptionally mathematical, featuring a heavy kinetics section including Arrhenius activation energy calculations and quantitative polymer titration. Paper 3 blended challenging practical assessments with a highly competitive multiple-choice section.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry:

105 marks120 min

Paper 2: Organic and Physical Chemistry:

105 marks120 min

Paper 3: Practical, Synoptic and MCQ:

90 marks120 min

Top chapters

Rate equations28 marks
Acids and bases22 marks
Transition metals22 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Equilibrium constant Kp for hom12 marks
Atomic structure12 marks
Oxidation, reduction and redox15 marks
Acids and bases22 marks
Properties of Period 3 elements8 marks
Bonding9 marks
Group 7(17), the halogens12 marks
Transition metals22 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

77% within easy or medium reach

95
135
70
Easy: 95 marksMedium: 135 marksHard: 70 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Calculate18 times
Name32 times
Explain15 times
Outline14 times
Deduce12 times
Define4 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

300Marks
  • Short Answer / Structural Drawing

    175·55·58%

  • Structured Calculation

    77·12·26%

  • Multiple Choice

    30·30·10%

  • Extended Writing / Level of Response

    18·3·6%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Acids and basesTransition metalsRate equationsAtomic structureThermodynamics

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Structured …1

2.55 m/min
51
20

Paper 2 Structured …

0.86 m/min
60
70

Paper 3 Practical &…

0.60 m/min
30
50

Total marks

141

Total time

140 min

Avg pace

1.01

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Aromatic chemistry

90%

90%

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

88%

88%

Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

85%

85%

Difficulty Verdict

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Chemistry series represents a high-standard set of papers that thoroughly test both quantitative physical chemistry and precision in organic mechanisms. Paper 1 proved to be demanding, requiring deep familiarity with multistep equilibria and Group 7 redox chemistry. Paper 2 was exceptionally mathematical, featuring a heavy kinetics section including Arrhenius activation energy calculations and quantitative polymer titration. Paper 3 blended challenging practical assessments with a highly competitive multiple-choice section.

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

7405/11 — AQA A Level Chemistry (June 2022) | Revui