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AQA · GCSE

AQA GCSE Chemistry

Chemistry for AQA GCSE (syllabus 8462) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
8462
Board
AQA
Qualification
GCSE

At a glance

Qualification
AQA GCSE Chemistry
Spec code
8462
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-21, official AQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-21.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)

AQA GCSE Chemistry develops learners' understanding of chemistry, including how to work scientifically, and is co-teachable with AQA GCSE Combined Science. — AQA, official syllabus page

For teaching from September 2016. Tiered Foundation/Higher. Eleven topics.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for AQA Chemistry 8462
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
8462/1F: Paper 1 (Foundation): Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes (Foundation) 1h 45m 100 50% Written exam
8462/1H: Paper 1 (Higher): Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes (Higher) 1h 45m 100 50% Written exam
8462/2F: Paper 2 (Foundation): The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources (Foundation) 1h 45m 100 50% Written exam
8462/2H: Paper 2 (Higher): The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources (Higher) 1h 45m 100 50% Written exam

Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page: an identical structure to sibling Biology 8461, independently re-confirmed from Chemistry's own page -- linear, tiered Foundation/Higher, each tier sits its own Paper 1 and Paper 2, each 1h45/100marks/50% of GCSE. Paper 1 covers Topics 1-5; Paper 2 covers Topics 6-10 (may also draw on fundamental concepts from 4.1-4.3). AO weightings identical to Biology: AO1 40%, AO2 40%, AO3 20% overall. First teaching September 2016, first examination May/June 2018.

Assessment FAQs

How is AQA Chemistry (8462) assessed?

AQA Chemistry (8462) is assessed through: 8462/1F (Paper 1 (Foundation): Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes) — 1h 45m, 100 marks, 50% of the qualification; 8462/1H (Paper 1 (Higher): Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes) — 1h 45m, 100 marks, 50% of the qualification; 8462/2F (Paper 2 (Foundation): The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources) — 1h 45m, 100 marks, 50% of the qualification; 8462/2H (Paper 2 (Higher): The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources) — 1h 45m, 100 marks, 50% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

Chemistry teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Chemistry at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 11 topics below are the official subject content of AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), for the For teaching from September 2016 examination series, reproduced from the AQA syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 11 topics.

  1. 1 Atomic structure and the periodic table

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Atomic structure · The periodic table · Properties of transition metals (chemistry only)

  2. 2 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Chemical bonds · Ionic bonding · Ionic compounds · Covalent bonding · Metallic bonding

  3. 3 Quantitative chemistry

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. 4 Chemical changes

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  5. 5 Energy changes

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  6. 6 The rate and extent of chemical change

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  7. 7 Organic chemistry

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  8. 8 Chemical analysis

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  9. 9 Chemistry of the atmosphere

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  10. 10 Using resources

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  11. 11 Key ideas

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: AQA — official GCSE Chemistry (8462) specification PDF — For teaching from September 2016 series. Verified 2026-08-21. This syllabus is tiered -- see the qualification summary above for the exact tier structure. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Chemistry at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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