9620 · Oxford AQA International A Level
9620/21
Paper 2
Chemistry · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Oxford AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
360
445 min
Energetics and Thermodynamics
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
360
Duration
445 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A complete, five-paper suite spanning A-level Chemistry (9620) Units 1-5, containing a balanced combination of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
Tricky practical-based enthalpy calculations, multi-step synthesis, and high-resolution NMR/MS spectroscopy form the core differentiators between standard and high-achieving candidates.
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.
Mathematical &
Weight: 7100%Calculation Structural Representation
Weight: 686%Experimental
Weight: 343%Theoretical Knowledge
Weight: 229%
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. 90% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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 “Give” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Energetics
25 marks this session
Thermodynamics
22 marks this session
Rate equations
19 marks this session
Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
17 marks this session
Group 7(17), the halogens
17 marks this session
Amount of substance
17 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
Amount of substance
Practical skills and synoptic applications
Acids and bases
Energetics
Rate equations (Physical chemistry)
Thermodynamics
Amount of substance (Physical chemistry)
Thermodynamics (Physical chemistry)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Unit 1: Inorganic 1 and Physical 1: Unit 2: Organic 1 and Physical 1: Unit 3: Inorganic 2 and Physical 2: Unit 4: Organic 2 and Physical 2: Unit 5: Practical and synoptic:
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
Energetics
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThermodynamics
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRate equations
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectrode potentials and electrochemical cells
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGroup 7(17), the halogens
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAmount of substance
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A complete, five-paper suite spanning A-level Chemistry (9620) Units 1-5, containing a balanced combination of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
- 2Message
Tricky practical-based enthalpy calculations, multi-step synthesis, and high-resolution NMR/MS spectroscopy form the core differentiators between standard and high-achieving candidates.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Chemistry
A complete, five-paper suite spanning A-level Chemistry (9620) Units 1-5, containing a balanced combination of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry. Tricky practical-based enthalpy calculations, multi-step synthesis, and high-resolution NMR/MS spectroscopy form the core dif
A complete, five-paper suite spanning A-level Chemistry (9620) Units 1-5, containing a balanced combination of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
Tricky practical-based enthalpy calculations, multi-step synthesis, and high-resolution NMR/MS spectroscopy form the core differentiators between standard and high-achieving candidates.
- Total marks
- 360
- Duration
- 445 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
A complete, five-paper suite spanning A-level Chemistry (9620) Units 1-5, containing a balanced combination of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry. Tricky practical-based enthalpy calculations, multi-step synthesis, and high-resolution NMR/MS spectroscopy form the core differentiators between standard and high-achieving candidates.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Unit 1: Inorganic 1 and Physical 1: Unit 2: Organic 1 and Physical 1: Unit 3: Inorganic 2 and Physical 2: Unit 4: Organic 2 and Physical 2: Unit 5: Practical and synoptic:
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.
Short Answer / Structural Drawing
180·68·50%
Mathematical Calculation
120·24·33%
Multiple Choice
30·30·8%
Mechanism / Curly Arrow Outline
30·8·8%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Kinetics & Arrhenius Plotting
90%90%
Polymers & Polyester Hydrolysis
88%88%
Transition Metal Complexes & Colorimetry
85%85%
Electrochemistry & Fuel Cells
80%80%
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.