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CHEMISTRY-1CH0 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)

CHEMISTRY-1CH0/11

(Foundation Tier)

Chemistry · 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Moderate · 2.0/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

2.0 / 5

Total marks

200

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

Fuels and Earth Science

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

200

Duration

210 min

Session difficulty

2.0 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment.

2

While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena and perform multi-step calculations.

3

The exam penalized students who overlooked specific mathematical instructions or lacked precise scientific terminology.

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

Recall & Understanding6
Identification Mathematical5
Experimental3
Chemical Explanation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Recall & UnderstandingRecall &UnderstandingIdentification MathematicalIdentificationMathematicalExperimentalExperimentalChemical ExplanationChemicalExplanation
SkillWeightShare
  • Recall & Understanding

    Weight: 6100%
  • Identification Mathematical

    Weight: 583%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 350%
  • Chemical Explanation

    Weight: 233%

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 9

Approx. 73% of maximum mark

Level 8

Approx. 63% of maximum mark

Level 7

Approx. 53% of maximum mark

Level 6

Approx. 42% of maximum mark

Level 5

Approx. 31% of maximum mark

Level 4

Approx. 21% of maximum mark

Level 3

Approx. 15% 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

ExplainFrequency: 16

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

CalculateFrequency: 12

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

DescribeFrequency: 9

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

NameFrequency: 27

Match the expected response style for “Name” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 2

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1F Questions …65m / 58 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 2F Questions …65m / 57 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 1F Questions …40m / 43 marks

Min per mark: 0.9

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Fuels and Earth science (Paper 2)

40 marks this session

Chemical changes (Paper 1)

36 marks this session

Key concepts in chemistry (Paper 1)

20 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

Fuels and Earth science (Paper 2)

40
25
39
104

Key concepts in chemistry (Paper 1)

20
33
44
97

Chemical changes (Paper 1)

36
32
68

Rates of reaction and energy changes (Paper 2)

24
24

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 2.0/52023 2023 · 2.2/52024 2024 · 2.5/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1F (Foundation Tier):

100 marks105 min

Paper 2F (Foundation Tier):

100 marks105 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 Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment.

  • 2Message

    While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena and perform multi-step calculations.

  • 3Message

    The exam penalized students who overlooked specific mathematical instructions or lacked precise scientific terminology.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2022 2022

Chemistry

The Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment. While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena a

  • The Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment.

  • While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena and perform multi-step calculations.

  • The exam penalized students who overlooked specific mathematical instructions or lacked precise scientific terminology.

Total marks
200
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
2.0 / 5

Session analysis

The Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment. While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena and perform multi-step calculations. The exam penalized students who overlooked specific mathematical instructions or lacked precise scientific terminology.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1F (Foundation Tier):

100 marks105 min

Paper 2F (Foundation Tier):

100 marks105 min

Top chapters

Fuels and Earth science (Paper 2)40 marks
Chemical changes (Paper 1)36 marks
Key concepts in chemistry (Paper 1)20 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Groups in the periodic table (P17 marks
Key concepts in chemistry (Pape20 marks
Key concepts in chemistry (Pape6 marks
Fuels and Earth science (Paper40 marks
Separate chemistry 1 (Paper 1)11 marks
States of matter and mixtures (15 marks
Separate chemistry 2 (Paper 2)17 marks
Extracting metals and equilibri18 marks

Mark accessibility

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

87% within easy or medium reach

105
68
27
Easy: 105 marksMedium: 68 marksHard: 27 marks

Command word frequency

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

Explain16 times
Calculate12 times
Describe9 times
Name27 times
Discuss2 times

Question type mix

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

200Marks
  • Explanations / Descriptions

    76·32·38%

  • Short Answer / Labelling

    52·34·26%

  • Calculations

    32·14·16%

  • Extended Writing

    (6-markers)

    24·4·12%

  • Multiple Choice

    16·16·8%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Fuels and Earth sc…Chemical changes (…Rates of reaction …Key concepts (Atom…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1F Questions …

0.89 m/min
58
65

Paper 1F Questions …

1.07 m/min
43
40

Paper 2F Questions …

0.88 m/min
57
65

Total marks

158

Total time

170 min

Avg pace

0.93

Next-year prediction

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

Dynamic Equilibria and Le Chatelier's Principle

85%

85%

Acid-Alkali Titration Volume Calculations

80%

80%

Electrolysis Half-Equations

75%

75%

Difficulty Verdict

The Summer 2022 Foundation Tier papers presented an accessible and balanced assessment. While fundamental recall questions on atomic structure, Group 1 trends, and lab apparatus were straightforward, students were frequently tested on their ability to explain chemical phenomena and perform multi-step calculations. The exam penalized students who overlooked specific mathematical instructions or lacked precise scientific terminology.

Where the Marks Are

A substantial portion of the marks was concentrated in two major areas: Fuels and Earth Science (Paper 2, 40 marks) and Chemical Changes (Paper 1, 36 marks). Key practical skills such as titration steps, filtration/crystallisation procedures, and plotting pH graphs also carried high tariff weightings. Mastery of quantitative chemistry—specifically empirical formulas, percentage yields, and concentration calculations—was essential to securing a top Foundation grade.

Examiner notes & key calculations

  • Empirical Formula Inversion: Candidates frequently divided the relative atomic mass by the mass of the element rather than dividing the reacting mass by the relative atomic mass (mass/Ar) (\text{mass} / A_r) (mass/Ar​).
  • Omitting Units and Signs: In calorimetry questions, many students calculated the temperature change magnitude (2.5) but failed to specify the negative sign (−2.5 -2.5 −2.5) or write the Celsius unit (∘C ^\circ\text{C} ∘C).
  • Qualitative vs. Quantitative Indicators: When evaluating litmus paper versus universal indicator, many struggled to articulate that litmus paper is binary/qualitative and cannot display the gradual numerical pH changes required.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 45min
Total marks
100
Weighting
50%
Question types
Multiple Choice, Short Answer / Structured, Extended Writing

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

CHEMISTRY-1CH0/11 — Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Chemistry (2022) | Revui