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Pearson Edexcel · A Level

Pearson Edexcel A Level Chemistry

Chemistry for Pearson Edexcel A Level (syllabus YCH11) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
YCH11
Board
Pearson Edexcel
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Pearson Edexcel A Level Chemistry
Spec code
YCH11
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 Pearson Edexcel specification

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

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

The qualification

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Chemistry (XCH11/YCH11)

The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Chemistry develops students' knowledge and understanding of chemical concepts, principles and practical skills. — Pearson Edexcel, official syllabus page

First teaching September 2018. Six externally-examined units: Units 1-3 form the International AS (XCH11), the full International A Level (YCH11) adds Units 4-6.

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

Assessment structure

Modular qualification

Assessment components for Pearson Edexcel Chemistry YCH11
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
WCH11/01: Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry 1h 30m 80 20% Unit
WCH12/01: Unit 2: Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols 1h 30m 80 20% Unit
WCH13/01: Unit 3: Practical Skills in Chemistry I 1h 20m 50 10% Unit
WCH14/01: Unit 4: Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry 1h 45m 90 20% Unit
WCH15/01: Unit 5: Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry 1h 45m 90 20% Unit
WCH16/01: Unit 6: Practical Skills in Chemistry II 1h 20m 50 10% Unit

Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official PDF: an identical modular skeleton to sibling Physics YPH11, independently re-confirmed from Chemistry's own source PDF -- three IAS units (1-3) plus three IA2 units (4-6), each externally assessed. Units 1, 2, 4 and 5 each 20% of the full IAL (1h30/80marks for 1-2, 1h45/90marks for 4-5); Units 3 and 6 (Practical Skills in Chemistry I and II, each 1h20/50marks) each 10%, again written papers rather than a hands-on lab endorsement. Each written paper includes a stated minimum of mathematics-targeted marks (e.g. Unit 1 at least 18 marks target Level 2 maths or above). First teaching September 2018, first examination January 2019. The spec states a minimum of 20% of marks overall will target mathematics at Level 2 or above -- half of Physics's stated 40%, independently confirmed from this qualification's own PDF.

Assessment FAQs

How is Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (YCH11) assessed?

Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (YCH11) is assessed through: WCH11/01 (Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry) — 1h 30m, 80 marks, 20% of the qualification; WCH12/01 (Unit 2: Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols) — 1h 30m, 80 marks, 20% of the qualification; WCH13/01 (Unit 3: Practical Skills in Chemistry I) — 1h 20m, 50 marks, 10% of the qualification; WCH14/01 (Unit 4: Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; WCH15/01 (Unit 5: Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; WCH16/01 (Unit 6: Practical Skills in Chemistry II) — 1h 20m, 50 marks, 10% of the qualification. It is a modular qualification. Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

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

All Chemistry at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 6 topics below are the official subject content of Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Chemistry (XCH11/YCH11), for the Issue 1, September 2017 examination series, reproduced from the Pearson Edexcel 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 1 of 6 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Unit 1 – Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry

    6 Marlbridge resources

    Formulae, Equations and Amount of Substance · Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table · Bonding and Structure · Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes · Alkenes

  2. AS 2 Unit 2 – Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. AS 3 Unit 3 – Practical Skills in Chemistry I

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 4 Unit 4 – Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  2. A 5 Unit 5 – Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. A 6 Unit 6 – Practical Skills in Chemistry II

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Pearson Edexcel — official International Advanced Level Chemistry specification PDF — Issue 1, September 2017 series. Verified 2026-08-21. 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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