GCSE Chemistry Topics by Exam Board: Full List

In this article, you’ll find a roadmap of all the GCSE chemistry topics you'll encounter in your revision for the major exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC. 

AQA GCSE Chemistry Topics

1. Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table

This topic covers the atomic structure and the periodic table, explaining how the table is organised to help chemists understand the properties of elements. It highlights how both the Periodic Table and atomic models have evolved over time as new evidence was discovered. 

The modern Periodic Table arranges elements based on their atomic structure, with each atom having a nucleus containing protons and electrons surrounded by electrons in specific energy levels. This structure supports the model of a nuclear atom and helps explain the behaviour and characteristics of different elements.

Topics include:

• Simple Model of the Atom

• The Periodic Table

• Properties of Transition Metals

2. Bonding, Structure & the Properties of Matter

This topic is all about how atoms bond together to form different materials and looks at the three main types of bonding: ionic (where electrons are transferred), covalent (where electrons are shared), and metallic (where electrons flow freely). 

You will see how these bonds affect the properties of substances, for example why some materials conduct electricity and others don't. Also, you’ll explore structures like diamond and graphite, and learn about modern materials like polymers and nanomaterials.

Topics include:

• Ionic, Covalent & Metallic Bond

• Bonding & Substance Properties

• Structure & Bonding of Carbon

• Bulk & Surface Properties

3. Quantitative Chemistry

In this topic, you'll learn how to calculate masses of substances in reactions, work out concentrations of solutions, and figure out how much product you can make from a given amount of reactants. 

It also explores concepts like the mole and how to determine chemical formulas. For AQA GCSE chemistry, roughly 20% of the questions will be calculation based, so make sure you check out our exam questions to prepare for your exam.

Topics include:

• Measurement, Mass & Equations

• Calculating Mass of Substances

• Yield & Atom Economy

• Concentration of Solutions

• Amount of Substance & Gas Volume

4. Chemical Changes

This topic is about chemical reactions in action. You'll look at how metals react, what happens when acids and bases meet, and how to make salts. 

It also covers electrolysis, where electricity is used to break down ionic compounds. Electrolysis is a topic that many students find challenging, so a good idea is to make use of the revision videos to help in your learning.

Topics include:

• Reactivity of Metals

• Reactions of Acids

• Electrolysis

5. Energy Changes

This topic explores energy in reactions and why exothermic reactions release energy and endothermic reactions take in energy. It also covers how batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen fuel cells work. 

Exothermic and endothermic reactions also looks at reaction profiles, which comes up often in AQA GCSE chemistry papers. Read our reaction profiles revision note to learn more. 

Topics include:

• Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions

• Chemical Cells & Fuel Cells

6. The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

Chemical reactions depend on 5 factors: temperature, pressure, concentration, surface area and the presence of a catalyst. This topic explores how these factors can be manipulated to speed up reactions or slow them down. 

It also covers reversible reactions, where reactants form products and vice versa, and how the 5 factors can affect the equilibrium of these reactions.

Topics include:

• Rate of Reaction

• Reversibility & Equilibrium

7. Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry looks at carbon compounds, including fossil fuels. This topic looks at different types of organic compounds including alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and polymers. 

It also discusses how chemists use organic compounds to make new materials including plastics, medicines, detergents and flavourings in food.

Topics include:

• Hydrocarbons: Fuel & Feedstock

• Reactions of Alkenes & Alcohols

• Synthetic & Natural Polymers

8. Chemical Analysis

It is important for forensic scientists to identify specific chemicals. This can be done using both manual or instrumental methods. The topic looks at the tests which are based on reactions that produce a gas with distinctive properties, or a colour change or an insoluble solid. 

It also covers pure substances, formulations and chromatography as well as how to test for particular gases and ions. 

Topics include:

• Purity, Formulations & Chromatography

• Identification of Common Gases

• Methods of Identifying Ions

9. Chemistry of the Atmosphere

This topic looks at how the Earth’s early atmosphere changed to what we know today, covering processes such as combustion, photosynthesis and respiration. 

It also covers the human impact on the atmosphere and, such as pollution caused by the complete and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. 

Topics include:

• Formation of Earth’s Atmosphere

• CO₂ & CH₄ as Greenhouse Gases

10. Using Resources

This topic looks at how chemists develop ways of producing drinking water, fertilisers and other useful products. It also looks at the disposal of products at the end of their life responsibly.

Topics include:

• Global Reserves & Potable Water

• Life Cycle Analysis & Recycling

• Using Materials

• Haber Process & NPK Fertilisers

What is Covered in AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 & 2?

Revision Resources for AQA GCSE Chemistry

The resources below will help you revise for AQA GCSE chemistry paper 1 and 2. They’re specifically written for the AQA GCSE chemistry syllabus. Student friendly mark schemes and commentaries will help you avoid any common mistakes, and our engaging flashcards will help improve your active recall. 

AQA GCSE Chemistry Revision Notes

AQA GCSE Chemistry Exam Questions

AQA GCSE Chemistry Flashcards

AQA GCSE Chemistry Past Papers  

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Topics

1. Atomic Structure

This topic covers the fundamentals of the GCSE Edexcel chemistry course which includes the scientific development of atomic structure, how elements are arranged in the Periodic Table and how they bond with one another. 

Types of structure looks at how atoms bond together to form different materials and looks at the three main types of bonding: ionic (where electrons are transferred), covalent (where electrons are shared), and metallic (where electrons flow freely). Finally, the topic looks at calculations that chemists use to determine how much product you can make from a given amount of reactants.

Topics include:

• Atomic Structure

• The Periodic Table

• Ionic Bonding

• Covalent Bonding

• Types of Structure

• Calculations Involving Masses

2. States of Matter & Mixtures

This topic is all about the different states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) and explores how particles behave in each state and what happens when substances change state. You'll also explore mixtures and learn cool techniques to separate them, like distillation and chromatography.

Topics include:

• States of Matter

• Methods of Separating & Purifying Substances

3. Chemical Changes

Chemical changes covers how acids react with different substances and the formation of different salts. It also covers how electricity can be used to separate ionic compounds into their elements, which is a topic that students can find challenging. We have an extensive collection of revision notes along with detailed videos designed to support and deepen your understanding of the electrolysis of aqueous solutions.

Topics include:

• Acids

• Electrolytic Processes

4. Extracting Metals & Equilibria

This topic examines different methods for extracting metals from their ores and their practical uses. It covers the reactivity series, which influences how easily metals are extracted, and introduces the concept of reversible reactions, where reactions can proceed in both directions, playing a crucial role in industrial processes.

Topics include:

• Obtaining & Using Metals

• Reversible Reactions & Equilibria

5. Separate Chemistry 1

This topic focuses on transition metals, the production of stronger alloys (metal mixtures), and how corrosion, such as rust, affects metals. It also covers quantitative analysis, which involves measuring the amounts of chemicals, and dynamic equilibrium, where reactions can proceed in both directions. Lastly, it explores chemical and fuel cells, showing how chemical reactions produce electricity, particularly in clean energy solutions like fuel cells.

Topics include:

• Transition Metals, Alloys & Corrosion

• Quantitative Analysis

• Dynamic Equilibria 

• Chemical Cells & Fuel Cells

6. Groups in The Periodic Table

This topic explores Group 1 elements, known as alkali metals, which are highly reactive and soft. Then it looks at Group 7 elements, called halogens, which are reactive non-metals. 

Finally, it discusses Group 0 elements, or noble gases, which are stable and don’t easily react with other elements. Understanding these groups helps you see how different elements behave and interact with each other.

Topics include:

• Group 1

• Group 7

• Group 0

7. Rates of Reaction & Energy Changes

Rates of reaction and energy changes looks at how quickly reactions happen and the factors that can speed them up or slow them down, like temperature and concentration. You’ll explore heat energy changes during chemical reactions, understanding whether they absorb heat (endothermic) or release heat (exothermic) along with their reaction profiles. This knowledge helps you see how energy plays a role in chemical processes. 

Topics include:

• Rates of Reaction

• Heat Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions

8. Fuels & Earth Science

These topics cover fuels, which are substances that release energy when burned, and their environmental impact. You'll explore various types of fuels, including fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, and weigh their benefits and drawbacks. 

The Earth and atmosphere section looks at the composition of the atmosphere, climate change, and the effects of human activities on the environment. Combined, these topics highlight the significance of energy sources and their influence on our planet.

Topics include:

• Fuels

• Earth & Atmosphere Science

9. Separate Chemistry 2

These topics cover qualitative analysis, focusing on tests used to identify different ions in substances. You'll also study hydrocarbons, which are simple compounds composed of only hydrogen and carbon, that serve as the basis for many fuels. The section on polymers explores large molecules made from repeating units, essential in everyday materials. 

Additionally, you'll examine alcohols and carboxylic acids, important organic compounds, and learn about the bulk and surface properties of matter, including the unique characteristics of nanoparticles.

Topics include:

• Qualitative Analysis: Tests for Ions

• Hydrocarbons

• Polymers

• Alcohols & Carboxylic Acid

• Bulk & Surface Properties of Matter Including Nanoparticles

What is Covered in Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Papers?

Revision Resources for Edexcel GCSE Chemistry

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Revision notes

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Exam Questions

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Flashcards

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Past papers  

OCR A Gateway Science GCSE Chemistry Topics

1. Particles

In the particles section, you'll learn about the particle model, which explains how particles are arranged and behave in solids, liquids, and gases. This will lead to understanding atomic structure, where you'll explore the subatomic particles of atoms; protons, neutrons, electrons, and how they define an element's identity.

Topics include:

• The Particle Model

• Atomic Structure

2. Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

Elements, compounds & mixtures looks at how to test for purity and separate mixtures through techniques like filtration and distillation. You'll also study different ionic, covalent and metallic bonding and how the bonding affects the properties of materials, such as melting and boiling points.

Topics include:

• Purity & Separating & Mixtures

• Bonding

• Properties of Materials

3. Chemical Reactions

The chemical reactions section introduces the basics of reactions, including how reactants transform into products, and explores energetics, which looks at energy changes during reactions. You'll investigate various types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, displacement, etc.) and learn about electrolysis, a process that uses electricity to drive chemical reactions. Electrolysis is a topic that many students find challenging, so check out our electrolysis revision notes and try some exam questions.

Topics include:  

• Introducing Chemical Reactions

• Energetics

• Types of Chemical Reactions

• Electrolysis

4. Predicting & Identifying Reactions & Products

In predicting and identifying reactions and products, you'll focus on how to anticipate the outcomes of reactions based on reactants and conditions, alongside methods for identifying the products formed during reactions.

Topics include:

• Predicting Chemical Reactions

• Identifying the Products of Chemical Reactions

5. Monitoring & Controlling Chemical Reactions

The monitoring and controlling chemical reactions section emphasises techniques for observing reactions in real-time, controlling factors like temperature and concentration, and understanding equilibria, where reactions can shift between products and reactants.

Topics include:

• Monitoring Chemical Reactions

• Controlling Reactions

• Equilibria

6. Global Challenges

The global challenges section explores ways to innovate and enhance processes and products for sustainability, rooted in the principles of organic chemistry. It also examines how chemistry interacts with Earth's systems to address environmental concerns.

Topics include:

• Improving Processes & Products

• Organic Chemistry

• Interpreting & Interacting with Earth Systems

7. Practical Skills

The practical skills topic emphasises hands-on laboratory techniques and safety practices essential for conducting experiments, and the eight practical activity groups (PAGs),  successfully.

Topics include:

• 7.1 Practical skills

What is Covered in OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry Paper 1?

Revision Resources for OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry

OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry Revision notes

OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry Exam Questions

OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry Past papers  

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Topics

1. Chemical Substances, Reactions & Essential Resources

The nature of substances and chemical reactions explains that substances are made up of atoms, and chemical reactions rearrange these atoms to create new products.

Atomic structure and the Periodic Table focus on the composition of atoms—protons, neutrons, and electrons—and how elements are organised in the periodic table based on their properties.

The section on water highlights the significance of water, its treatment, and its role in chemical reactions.

The ever-changing Earth explores the Earth's structure, its atmosphere, and how both have evolved over time.

The rate of chemical change discusses factors that influence the speed of reactions, such as temperature and concentration.

Finally, the section on limestone details its industrial uses and how it reacts with acids to form new products.

Topics include:

• The Nature of Substances & Chemical Reactions

• Atomic Structure & The Periodic Table

• Water

• The Ever-Changing Earth 

• Rate of Chemical Change

• Limestone

2. Chemical Bonding, Application of Chemical Reactions & Organic Chemistry

This section of the WJEC chemistry course builds on the knowledge gained from section 1.

The bonding, structure, and properties topic explains how atoms bond—whether through ionic, covalent, or metallic bonding—and how these bonds influence the properties of substances.

The acids, bases, and salts topic explores the reactions between acids and alkalis, the pH scale, and how salts are formed.

Metals and their extraction focus on how metals are obtained from ores and the significance of the reactivity series.

Chemical reactions and energy cover exothermic and endothermic reactions, along with the concept of activation energy.

The section on crude oil, fuels, and organic chemistry discusses hydrocarbons, fractional distillation, and the environmental impact of using fuels.

Finally, reversible reactions, industrial processes, and important chemicals explore processes like the Haber process, and how industries optimise reaction conditions for greater efficiency.

Topics include:

• Bonding, Structure & Properties

• Acids, Bases & Salts

• Metal & Their Extraction

• Chemical Reactions & Energy

• Crude Oil, Fuels & Organic Chemistry

• Reversible Reactions, Industrial Processes & Important Chemicals 

What is Covered in WJEC GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 & 2?

What is Covered in WJEC GCSE Unit 3?

Unit 3 is an externally marked practical assessment that is carried out in centres, which is worth 30 marks and contributes to 10% of your final grade. It often takes place in the first half of the spring term (January – February) of the final year of study.

Unit 3 is a practical task that is split into 2 sections:

Section A - Obtaining results (6 marks)

Section B - Analysing and evaluating results (24 marks)

Each section is expected to be completed in 1 hour.

In section A, students can work in small groups of three people maximum to gather results from the given experiment. This is carried out under limited control, where students can work with each other to gather the results, but they must give their own answers to any questions.

In section B, students are examined on their ability to analyse and evaluate the data from their section A practical. This is carried out under high control, i.e. exam conditions, and is completed individually.

Revision Resources for WJEC GCSE Chemistry

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Revision notes

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Exam Questions

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Past Papers  

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Explore Our GCSE Chemistry Resources

References

• AQA GCSE Chemistry Specification

• Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Specification

• OCR (Gateway Science) Chemistry A Specification

• WJEC GCSE Chemistry Specification

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