9701 · Cambridge International AS Level
9701/31
Advanced Practical Skills
Chemistry · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
140
270 min
Reaction kinetics (AS Level)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers.
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging.
Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigorous, exact definitions and strict adherence to organic mechanism rules, while Paper 31 (Practical) tested candidates' patience with multi-step thermometric calculations and strict qualitative terminology.
Overall, the papers are classified at a moderate-to-high difficulty.
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
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Recall and Knowledge
Weight: 4100%Definitions
Weight: 375%Application and P
Weight: 250%Experimental
Weight: 125%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 26% 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
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 0
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Reaction kinetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
18 marks this session
Chemistry of transition elements (Inorganic chemistry (A Level))
12 marks this session
Alkanes (Hydrocarbons)
9 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
Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
Reaction kinetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
Qualitative Analysis (Inorganic)
Reacting masses and volumes
The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
Chemical energetics (AS)
Chemistry of transition elements (Inorganic chemistry (A Level))
Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical):
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
Reaction kinetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiChemistry of transition elements (Inorganic chemistry (A Level))
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlkanes (Hydrocarbons)
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers.
- 2Message
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging.
- 3Message
Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigorous, exact definitions and strict adherence to organic mechanism rules, while Paper 31 (Practical) tested candidates' patience with multi-step thermometric calculations and strict qualitative terminology.
- 4Message
Overall, the papers are classified at a moderate-to-high difficulty.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Chemistry
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers. Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging. Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigor
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers.
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging.
Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigorous, exact definitions and strict adherence to organic mechanism rules, while Paper 31 (Practical) tested candidates' patience with multi-step thermometric calculations and strict qualitative terminology.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers. Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging. Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigorous, exact definitions and strict adherence to organic mechanism rules, while Paper 31 (Practical) tested candidates' patience with multi-step thermometric calculations and strict qualitative terminology. Overall, the papers are classified at a moderate-to-high difficulty.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
75% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured
60·5·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical
40·3·29%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 (Multiple C…
0.80 m/minPaper 2 (AS Structu…
20.05 m/minTotal marks
461
Total time
95 min
Avg pace
4.85
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Standard enthalpy of neutralisation vs solution
90%90%
Organic stereoisomerism in cyclic systems
85%85%
Group 2 carbonates thermal stability
80%80%
Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2023 Chemistry (9701) series presented a challenging yet balanced suite of papers. Paper 11 (Multiple Choice) pushed candidates to apply concepts in unfamiliar contexts, with several questions proving highly challenging. Paper 21 (Structured Questions) demanded rigorous, exact definitions and strict adherence to organic mechanism rules, while Paper 31 (Practical) tested candidates' patience with multi-step thermometric calculations and strict qualitative terminology. Overall, the papers are classified at a moderate-to-high difficulty.
Where the Marks Are
A significant portion of the marks was concentrated in Reaction Kinetics and Organic Synthesis. In Paper 21, Question 4 and 5 required candidates to trace complex reaction pathways and deduce unknown structures (such as pentan-2-ol and methyl decanoate) from a sequence of chemical tests. In Paper 31, a massive 17 marks were allocated to the clock reaction kinetics practical, where drawing a perfect line of best fit and calculating rates accounted for key differentiation. Transition element chemistry also held substantial weight, particularly through qualitative analysis of copper and zinc complexes in the practical component.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 23%
- Question types
- Practical Task
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.