The AQA A Level Chemistry specification (7405) is the full syllabus for AQA's linear A Level Chemistry: three written papers of 2 hours each, all sat in the same May/June series, covering physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, with 12 required practicals and a separate practical endorsement (CPAC). AQA publishes the specification as a free PDF; this page sets out every topic, paper and practical in one place. Lift College teaches this specification in its online A Level Chemistry course for £59.99 a month.
AQA A Level Chemistry at a glance
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| AQA A Level Chemistry 7405 | |
|---|---|
| Qualification number | 601/5731/8 |
| Papers | 3 written papers, 2 hours each |
| Marks | 105, 105 and 90 (300 in total) |
| Weighting | 35%, 35%, 30% |
| Maths | 20% of the marks test maths skills |
| Practical work | At least 15% of the marks test practical knowledge and skills |
| Required practicals | 12 |
| Practical endorsement | CPAC, reported separately as Pass |
| Grades | A* to E |
| UCAS points | Up to 56 (A*) |
| Exam series | May/June, all papers in the same series |
Source: AQA A Level Chemistry 7405 specification and scheme of assessment.
What is on each paper?
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| Paper | Length and marks | Content | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 2 hours, 105 marks, 35% | Physical chemistry sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12; all inorganic chemistry (3.2); relevant practical skills | Short and long answer |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours, 105 marks, 35% | Physical chemistry sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9; all organic chemistry (3.3); relevant practical skills | Short and long answer |
| Paper 3 | 2 hours, 90 marks, 30% | Any content and any practical skills | 40 marks on practical techniques and data analysis, 20 marks testing across the specification, 30 marks of multiple choice |
Every topic in the AQA 7405 specification
Physical chemistry (3.1)
Atomic structure; amount of substance; bonding; energetics; kinetics; chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier's principle and Kc; oxidation, reduction and redox equations; thermodynamics; rate equations; the equilibrium constant Kp; electrode potentials and electrochemical cells; acids and bases.
Inorganic chemistry (3.2)
Periodicity; Group 2, the alkaline earth metals; Group 7(17), the halogens; properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides; transition metals; reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
Organic chemistry (3.3)
Introduction to organic chemistry; alkanes; halogenoalkanes; alkenes; alcohols; organic analysis; optical isomerism; aldehydes and ketones; carboxylic acids and derivatives; aromatic chemistry; amines; polymers; amino acids, proteins and DNA; organic synthesis; NMR spectroscopy; chromatography.
The second-year topics (from thermodynamics onwards in physical chemistry, Period 3 onwards in inorganic and optical isomerism onwards in organic) are A Level only and do not appear at AS. For the periodic table and data sheet you are given in the exam, see our guide to the AQA A Level Chemistry periodic table.
Required practicals and the CPAC endorsement
AQA 7405 has 12 required practicals, covering techniques such as making up a volumetric solution and carrying out a titration, measuring enthalpy changes, investigating rates of reaction, preparing and purifying organic compounds, and thin-layer chromatography. Questions about these practicals and the skills behind them appear in all three papers, and Paper 3 gives 40 marks to practical techniques and data analysis.
Separately, the practical endorsement is assessed by a teacher against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) and reported on your certificate as a Pass. Many university science courses expect it. At Lift College the CPAC endorsement is assessed at a Tutors & Exams laboratory venue on the +Exams & CPAC plan.
AQA A Level Chemistry past papers
AQA keeps most past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports on its public website for three years, and releases the newest series to the public later: AQA's published date for the summer 2026 A Level papers is 9 July 2027. Use the earlier series to practise full 2-hour papers, then use the mark scheme and examiner report to find the marks you missed. Our A Level grade boundaries guide shows what each grade needed in recent years.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry qualifications for Lift College's A Level Chemistry, and the course is open to anyone aged 14 or over (under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support). GCSE Chemistry or Combined Science at grade 6 or above and GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 or above are recommended, because 20% of the marks test maths skills. For how A Level grades turn into UCAS points, see A Level grades explained.
Studying AQA A Level Chemistry online
At Lift College you study the full AQA 7405 specification online with a named UK tutor, marked practice in every unit, mock papers and AI Study Support. You sit the same three papers as school candidates and receive the same AQA certificate. Most learners spend 8 to 12 hours a week and finish in 12 to 18 months.
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| Plan | Monthly (pay today) | Annual (pay today, save up to 17%) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study | £49.99 (£59.99 after a 7-day free trial) | £449.99 (£611.99 after a 7-day free trial) | Full course, named UK tutor, marked practice, mocks |
| +Exams | See the course page | See the course page | Study plus AQA exam entry and Tutors & Exams centre fees, seat booked for you |
| +Exams & CPAC | See the course page | See the course page | +Exams plus the CPAC practical endorsement at a Tutors & Exams laboratory venue |
Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial: £0 today, nothing charged until day 8, no contract, no credit check, and a 14-day money-back guarantee on every payment. Monthly +Exams plans have a 9-month expected term because exam fees are built in; you can cancel any time with no exit fee. See the A Level Chemistry online course, or compare providers in our guide to the best online A Level Chemistry courses.
Sources checked
- AQA, AS and A Level Chemistry (7404, 7405) specification at a glance and scheme of assessment, aqa.org.uk (checked 15 October 2026)
- AQA, Exams administration: what's available when, aqa.org.uk (checked 15 October 2026)
- UCAS, Tariff points for A Level grades, ucas.com
- Lift College, A Level Chemistry online course page: plans, prices, qualification number and exam arrangements (checked 15 October 2026)