9701 · Cambridge International AS Level
9701/31
Advanced Practical Skills
Chemistry · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
140
270 min
Stoichiometry & Quantitative Titration Calculations
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment.
With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty sits at a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
While Paper 11 demanded a sharp, rapid recall of foundational concepts, Paper 21 tested deep conceptual application in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetics.
Paper 31, the practical paper, heavily relied on precision, accurate titration records, and meticulous observations during qualitative tests.
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.
Practical & Numerical Skills
Weight: 7100%Observation Theoretical Recall
Weight: 686%Quantitative
Weight: 343%Organic
Weight: 229%Pathways
Weight: 114%
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. 66% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 36% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “State” 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
Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
26 marks this session
Qualitative Analysis (Inorganic)
16 marks this session
Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
10 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 Questions):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Confusing transition state energy paths on energy profiles, specifically missing that catalysed routes have an alternative path with a lower activation energy barrier.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiQualitative Analysis (Inorganic)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPeriodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
10 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 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment.
- 2Message
With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty sits at a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
- 3Message
While Paper 11 demanded a sharp, rapid recall of foundational concepts, Paper 21 tested deep conceptual application in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetics.
- 4Message
Paper 31, the practical paper, heavily relied on precision, accurate titration records, and meticulous observations during qualitative tests.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Chemistry
The May/June 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment. With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty si
The May/June 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment.
With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty sits at a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
While Paper 11 demanded a sharp, rapid recall of foundational concepts, Paper 21 tested deep conceptual application in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetics.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment. With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty sits at a solid 3 out of 5 stars. While Paper 11 demanded a sharp, rapid recall of foundational concepts, Paper 21 tested deep conceptual application in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetics. Paper 31, the practical paper, heavily relied on precision, accurate titration records, and meticulous observations during qualitative tests.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
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.
79% 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
60·6·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical/Laboratory
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 11 (Multiple …
0.80 m/minPaper 21 (AS Level …
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.
Electrochemistry
90%90%
Chemical equilibria
85%85%
Arenes (Hydrocarbons)
80%80%
Exam Overview & Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2025 Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) series across Papers 11, 21, and 31 represents a balanced yet rigorous assessment. With a combined total of 140 marks across multiple choice, structured theory, and practical skills, the overall difficulty sits at a solid 3 out of 5 stars. While Paper 11 demanded a sharp, rapid recall of foundational concepts, Paper 21 tested deep conceptual application in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and kinetics. Paper 31, the practical paper, heavily relied on precision, accurate titration records, and meticulous observations during qualitative tests.
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.