Specifications that use this resource:

Switching to AQA: AS and A-level Chemistry from OCR Chemistry A

At A-level, 60% of the subject content is prescribed by the Department for Education (DfE) subject content. This allows for some differences in the content covered in specifications written by different exam boards. The assessment principles are the same to ensure the standard between exam boards is maintained. Each exam board will have interpreted these slightly differently, so the structure of the papers and the frequency of question types used may vary.

Assessment of practical skills

For all A-levels, regardless of exam board, the assessment of practical skills has been divided into those skills that can be assessed in written exams (indirect assessment) and those that can only be directly assessed whilst students are carrying out experiments (practical endorsement). There is no practical endorsement for AS.

Indirect assessment in written exams (minimum 15% of total marks):

independent thinking skills
use and application of scientific methods and practices
numeracy and the application of mathematical concepts in a practical context
instruments and equipment

Direct assessment through practical endorsement:

12 Apparatus and Techniques (ATa–ATl), which are common to all exam boards
series of practicals that students carry out to enable them to use the ATs, packaged slightly differently by each exam board

Comparison of AQA with OCR – practical endorsement

Same:

Students engage with and become competent in the use of the ATs (ATa–ATl), as they carry out a minimum of 12 pieces of practical work.
Students are assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) through a minimum of 12 pieces of practical work.

Different:

The AQA specification lists 12 Required practicals that centres can use to cover both the ATs and the CPAC criteria.
OCR practical work is packaged into 12 Practical Activity Groups (PAGs), each of which has 3-4 suggested practical activities. The PAGs provide opportunities to demonstrate competence in all required practical skills the ATs and CPAC criteria.
Exemplar tracking documentation to capture progress towards the practical endorsement is specific to the exam board’s materials.

The monitoring arrangements and standard applied for the assessment practical skills through the practical endorsement are common to all exam boards.

Comparison of AQA Required practicals and OCR PAGs

OCR PAG	AQA Required practical
1. Moles determination 2. Acid–base titration	1. Make up a volumetric solution and carry out a simple acid–base titration
3. Enthalpy determination	2. Measurement of an enthalpy change
9. Rates of reaction – continuous monitoring method 10. Rates of reaction – initial rates method	3. Investigation of how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature
4. Qualitative analysis of ions	4. Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify: cations – Group 2, NH₄⁺ anions – Group 7 (halide ions), OH^–, CO₃^2–, SO₄^2–
5. Synthesis of an organic liquid	5. Distillation of a product from a reaction
7. Qualitative analysis of organic functional groups	6. Tests for alcohol, aldehyde, alkene and carboxylic acid
9. Rates of reaction – continuous monitoring method 10. Rates of reaction – initial rates method	7. Measuring the rate of reaction: by an initial rate method by a continuous monitoring method
8. Electrochemical cells	8. Measuring the EMF of an electrochemical cell
11. pH measurement	9. Investigate how pH changes when a weak acid reacts with a strong base and when a strong acid reacts with a weak base
5. Synthesis of an organic liquid 6. Synthesis of an organic solid	10. Preparation of: a pure organic solid and test of its purity a pure organic liquid
4. Qualitative analysis of ions	11. Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify transition metal ions in aqueous solution
6. Synthesis of an organic solid	12. Separation of species by thin-layer chromatography
12. Research skills	Integrated into the practical work and assessed through CPAC 5

Assessment structure: AS

	AQA		OCR A
	Paper 1	Paper 2	Breadth in chemistry	Depth in chemistry
What’s assessed	Physical and Inorganic chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 3.1.7 and 3.2.1 to 3.2.3) and relevant practical skills	Physical and Organic chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.3.1 to 3.3.6) and relevant practical skills	Modules 1–4	Modules 1–4
Length and number of marks	Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks	Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks	Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes 70 marks	Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes 70 marks
Question types	65 marks short and long answer questions 15 marks MCQs	65 marks short and long answer questions 15 marks MCQs	Section A: 20 marks MCQs Section B: 50 marks short structured questions (problem solving, calculations, practical and theory) and extended response questions	Short structured questions (problem solving, calculations, practical and theory) and extended response questions
Question types	65 marks short and long answer questions 15 marks MCQs	65 marks short and long answer questions 15 marks MCQs	Both components include synoptic assessment

Assessment structure: A-level

	AQA			OCR A
	Paper 1	Paper 2	Paper 3	Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry	Synthesis and analytical techniques	Unified chemistry
What's assessed	Physical and Inorganic chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8, 3.1.10 to 3.1.12 and 3.2) and relevant practical skills	Physical and Organic chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6, 3.1.9 and 3.3) and relevant practical skills	Any content, any practical skills	Content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5	Content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6	Assesses content from all modules (1 to 6).
Length and number of marks	Written exam 2 hours 105 marks	Written exam 2 hours 105 marks	Written exam 2 hours 90 marks	Written exam 2 hours 15 minutes 100 marks	Written exam 2 hours 15 minutes 100 marks	Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes 70 marks
Question types	A mixture of short and long answer questions	A mixture of short and long answer questions	40 marks of questions on practical techniques and data analysis 20 marks of questions testing across the specification 30 marks of MCQs	Section A: 15 marks of MCQs Section B: 85 marks short answer (structured, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions	Section A: 15 marks of MCQs Section B: 85 marks short answer (structured, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions	Short answer (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions.
Question types	A mixture of short and long answer questions	A mixture of short and long answer questions		All components include synoptic assessment

Map of content

AQA topics have been mapped against OCR modules. The majority of the content is similar. It is, however, important to read the statements for the differences in the detail as the AQA specification covers content that is not included in the OCR specification and vice versa.

AQA	OCR
Practical skills development is embedded throughout the specification. The 12 required practicals are stated/listed in the specification at the appropriate point in the content where these practical skills can be learnt and developed.	Module 1 Development of practical skills in Chemistry
3.1 Physical chemistry 3.1.1 Atomic structure 3.1.2 Amount of substance 3.1.3 Bonding 3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations	Module 2 Foundations in chemistry 2.1.1 Atomic structure and isotopes 2.1.2 Compounds, formulae and equations 2.1.3 Amount of substance 2.1.4 Acids 2.1.5 Redox 2.2.1 Electron structure 2.2.2 Bonding and structure
3.1 Physical chemistry 3.1.4 Energetics 3.1.5 Kinetics 3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and K_c 3.2 Inorganic chemistry 3.2.1 Periodicity 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals 3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens	Module 3 Periodic table and energy 3.1.1 Periodicity 3.1.2 Group 2 3.1.3 The halogens 3.1.4 Qualitative analysis 3.2.1 Enthalpy changes 3.2.2 Reaction rates 3.2.3 Chemical equilibrium
3.3 Organic chemistry 3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry 3.3.2 Alkanes 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes 3.3.4 Alkenes 3.3.5 Alcohols 3.3.6 Organic analysis	Module 4 Core organic chemistry 4.1.1 Basic concepts and hydrocarbons 4.1.2 Alkanes 4.1.3 Alkenes 4.2.1 Alcohols 4.2.2 Haloalkanes 4.2.3 Organic synthesis 4.2.4 Analytical techniques
3.1 Physical chemistry (A-level only) 3.1.8 Thermodynamics 3.1.9 Rate equations 3.1.10 Equilibrium constant K_p for homogeneous systems 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells 3.1.12 Acids and bases 3.2 Inorganic chemistry (A-level only) 3.2.5 Transition metals 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution	Module 5 Physical chemistry and transition elements (A-level only) 5.1.1 How fast? 5.1.2 How far? 5.1.3 Acids, bases and buffers 5.2.1 Lattice enthalpy 5.2.2 Enthalpy and entropy 5.2.3 Redox and electrode potentials 5.3.1 Transition elements 5.3.2 Qualitative analysis
3.3 Organic chemistry (A-level only) 3.3.7 Optical isomerism 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives 3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry 3.3.11 Amines 3.3.12 Polymers 3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA 3.3.14 Organic synthesis 3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy 3.3.16 Chromatography	Module 6 Organic chemistry and analysis (A-level only) 6.1.1 Aromatic compounds 6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters 6.2.1 Amines 6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality 6.2.3 Polyesters and polyamides 6.2.4 Carbon–carbon bond formation 6.2.5 Organic synthesis 6.3.1 Chromatography and qualitative analysis 6.3.1 Spectroscopy

AQA

OCR

Practical skills development is embedded throughout the specification. The 12 required practicals are stated/listed in the specification at the appropriate point in the content where these practical skills can be learnt and developed.

Module 1

Development of practical skills in Chemistry

3.1 Physical chemistry

3.1.1 Atomic structure

3.1.2 Amount of substance

3.1.3 Bonding

3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

Module 2 Foundations in chemistry

2.1.1 Atomic structure and isotopes

2.1.2 Compounds, formulae and equations

2.1.3 Amount of substance

2.1.4 Acids

2.1.5 Redox

2.2.1 Electron structure

2.2.2 Bonding and structure

3.1 Physical chemistry

3.1.4 Energetics

3.1.5 Kinetics

3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and K_c

3.2 Inorganic chemistry

3.2.1 Periodicity

3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens

Module 3 Periodic table and energy

3.1.1 Periodicity

3.1.2 Group 2

3.1.3 The halogens

3.1.4 Qualitative analysis

3.2.1 Enthalpy changes

3.2.2 Reaction rates

3.2.3 Chemical equilibrium

3.3 Organic chemistry

3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry

3.3.2 Alkanes

3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes

3.3.4 Alkenes

3.3.5 Alcohols

3.3.6 Organic analysis

Module 4 Core organic chemistry

4.1.1 Basic concepts and hydrocarbons

4.1.2 Alkanes

4.1.3 Alkenes

4.2.1 Alcohols

4.2.2 Haloalkanes

4.2.3 Organic synthesis

4.2.4 Analytical techniques

3.1 Physical chemistry (A-level only)

3.1.8 Thermodynamics

3.1.9 Rate equations

3.1.10 Equilibrium constant K_p for homogeneous systems

3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

3.1.12 Acids and bases

3.2 Inorganic chemistry (A-level only)

3.2.5 Transition metals

3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Module 5 Physical chemistry and transition elements (A-level only)

5.1.1 How fast?

5.1.2 How far?

5.1.3 Acids, bases and buffers

5.2.1 Lattice enthalpy

5.2.2 Enthalpy and entropy

5.2.3 Redox and electrode potentials

5.3.1 Transition elements

5.3.2 Qualitative analysis

3.3 Organic chemistry (A-level only)

3.3.7 Optical isomerism

3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones

3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry

3.3.11 Amines

3.3.12 Polymers

3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA

3.3.14 Organic synthesis

3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

3.3.16 Chromatography

Module 6 Organic chemistry and analysis (A-level only)

6.1.1 Aromatic compounds

6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds

6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters

6.2.1 Amines

6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality

6.2.3 Polyesters and polyamides

6.2.4 Carbon–carbon bond formation

6.2.5 Organic synthesis

6.3.1 Chromatography and qualitative analysis

6.3.1 Spectroscopy

Key differences

AQA	OCR A
AS and A-level content clearly built into each section of content	A-level only content separated out into separate modules
Twelve required practicals clearly outlined for teachers, ensuring students have opportunities to fully cover the CPAC	Twelve more open Practical Activity Groups (PAGs) that teachers use to devise their own practicals to cover the CPAC
Required practicals integrated into the content.	Separate practical module
Appropriate opportunities for development of practical skills signposted throughout the specification
	Specific references in content to links with DfE How Science Works criteria
Specific references in content to links with AT criteria
Content not covered in OCR A: properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides formation of amides from amines and acyl chlorides proteins and hydrolysis of proteins; structure of proteins enzymes DNA structure Column chromatography; gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry reactions of halides with concentrated sulfuric acid explaining origin of colour in transition metal complexes explaining/predicting the stability of complex ions EDTA as a hexadentate ligand fermentation formation of alkenes from haloalkanes transesterification structure and properties of fats and oils advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel use naming acyl chlorides distinguishing optical isomers using plane-polarised light separating crude oil using fractional distillation fuel additives cracking hydrocarbons properties and uses of polymers why theoretical lattice enthalpies differ from experimental values catalyst poisoning effect of pH and ligands on transition metal ion redox potential hydrogen fuel cells simplified lithium cell reactions	Content not covered in AQA: shapes of atomic orbitals fragmentation patterns in mass spectrometry iodine–thiosulfate titrations and calculations; formation of bromoalkanes from alcohols reduction of aromatic nitro compounds carbonyl compound reactions with 2, 4-DNP carboxylic acid reactions with PCl5 alkene reactions with hydrogen halogenation of aromatics Friedel‒Crafts alkylation hydrolysis of nitriles phenol reactions with alkalis, bromine and dilute nitric acid explaining boiling points in terms of intermolecular forces and packing electron donating and withdrawing groups in aromatic compounds defining and using the term ‘half-life’ using kinetic data to propose steps in reaction mechanisms.
	A summary of updates to the specification content is included as an appendix, so users can see what has changed from one version number to another.

Support from AQA

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extensive support materials on training and guidance for the Endorsement, monitoring and CPAC standards.
email support from laboratory technician available
a wide range of support materials, including practical handbooks, mathematical skills guidance, delivery guides, candidate exemplar resources, and more.
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At AQA, we have developed a suite of specifications that we hope allow students enjoy and excel in their study of science, learning relevant and interesting content while developing a range of skills they will find useful now and in the future whether that be in further study or in their chosen career.

Specifications that use this resource:

AS and A-level Chemistry 7404; 7405