Mapping the AQA GCSE (9-1) Chemistry to Edexcel GCSE (9-1)
AQA
Edexcel
Combined Science Assessment Structure
Paper 1: Chemistry
Paper 3: Chemistry 1
1 hour 15 minutes
1 hour and 10 minutes
70 marks
60 marks
Chemistry topics 8 – 12: Atomic structure and the periodic table;
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry;
Chemical changes and Energy changes.
AQA Spec mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry
Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures
Topic 3 – Chemical changes
Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria
Paper 2: Chemistry
Paper 4: Chemistry 2
1 hour 15 minutes
1 hour and 10 minutes
70 marks
60 marks
Chemistry topics 13 – 17: The rate and extent of chemical change;
Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere and
Using resources.
Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry
Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table
Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes
Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science
Chemistry Separate Science Assessment Structure
Paper 1
1 hour and 45 minutes
100 marks
Topics 1 – 5:
Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the
properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and
Energy changes
Paper 2
1 hour and 45 minutes
100 marks
Topics 6 – 10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry;
Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere and Using resources.
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Paper 1: Chemistry
1 hour and 45 minutes
100 marks





Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry
Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures
Topic 3 – Chemical changes
Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria
Topic 5 – Separate chemistry 1
Paper 2: Chemistry
1 hour and 45 minutes
100 marks




Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry
Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table
Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes
Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science
2

Topic 9 – Separate chemistry 2
Key differences
Edexcel
 The Combined Science exam papers are 1 hour 10 minutes
compared with AQA, which are 1 hour 15 mins each paper.
 Key concepts in chemistry are assessed in both exam papers.
 The chemistry only topics for Edexcel are clearly defined by the
letter C next to each specification point and are found in topics 5
and 9 only.
Switching for the Year 10 exam: content considerations overview



The Year 10 Exam does not contain any chemistry only content as it is assessing the combined science content only.
AQA Combined Science Chemistry topics 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and some small sections in 5.8 and 5.10 need to be taught for the Year 10 Exam.
Students need to have knowledge of the practicals, the working scientifically skills and the maths skills for these topics.
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
3
AQA Chemistry and Edexcel Chemistry Specification map
5.1 Atomic structure and the periodic table
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 Edexcel
exam content
5.1.1.1
0.1 – 0.4
Formulae and equations topic are
Yes
Edexcel
resources
Combined Science
5.1.1 A simple model of the
atom, symbols, relative
atomic mass, electronic
charge and isotopes

common to both papers for Edexcel
Atoms, elements
and compounds

Mixtures

The development of
the model of the
5.1.1.2
2.5, 2.7 – 2.8
Identifying pure substances from
mixtures and chromatography are
Yes
Methods of
both in topic 2 for Edexcel.
separating
For AQA they are found in 5.8
5.1.1.3
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
1.1 – 1.2
Chemical Analysis
CC2
Yes
and
Purifying
4
atom

Relative electrical
charges of
Substances
5.1.1.4
Yes
1.3 – 1.4, 1.8
CC3 Atomic
Structure
subatomic particles
Yes

Size and mass of
5.1.1.5
atoms

Relative atomic
1.5 – 1.7,
1.9 – 1.10
1.6 1.11 – 1.12
relative atomic mass of an element
5.1.1.6
from the relative masses and
mass

Electronic structure
Edexcel HT only - 1.12 Calculation of
Yes
Yes
CC3 Atomic
Structure
abundances of its elements
5.1.1.7
1.19
5.1.2 The periodic table

The periodic table
5.1.2.1
1.16 – 1.18, 1.20

Development of the
5.1.2.2
1.13 – 1.15
periodic table

Metals and nonmetals

Group 0

Group 1
Edexcel specifically identify
elements arranged in rows called
periods as well as in columns called
Yes
Yes
CC4 The
Periodic
Table
groups.
5.1.2.3
1.18 & 4.2
5.1.2.4
6.1, 6.14 – 6.16
5.1.2.5
6.1 – 6.5
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Also links to groups 1, 7 and 0 in
topic 6.
Reaction of alkali metals with
oxygen and chlorine not required
Yes – 1.18 only
No
No
5
for Edexcel

Group 7
5.1.2.6
6.6 – 6.11, 6.13
Edexcel HT only – Explain why the
No
displacement reactions are redox
reactions in terms of gain and loss
of electrons
Separate Science
4.1.3 Properties of
transition metals

Comparison with
Group 1 elements

Typical properties
Edexcel do not specify the
4.1.3.1
5.1C
4.1.3.2
5.1C
No
comparison with group 1
properties.
Edexcel specify iron for the
No
exemplification of the properties of
transition metals.
AQA content not mapping
N/A
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
6
5.2 Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
5.2.1 Chemical bonds, ionic,
Edexcel – explain the use of the
covalent and metallic
endings -ide and -ate in naming
Chemical bonds
Ionic bonding
Ionic compounds
Covalent bonding
compounds
5.2.11
General introduction
5.2.1.2
1.21 – 1.24
5.2.1.3
1.27, 1.41
5.2.1.4
1.28 - 1.30, 1.41
1.32, 1.40
Metallic bonding
5.2.1.5
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Edexcel – calculate the number of
protons, neutrons and electrons in
simple ions
Yes
Yes
Edexcel – deduce the formulae of
ionic compounds given the
Yes
formulae of the ions
Edexcel – includes the dot and cross
diagram for covalent bonding in
CC5 Ionic
Bonding
CC6
Covalent
Bonding
Yes
7
carbon dioxide
5.2.2 How bonding and
structure are related to the
properties of substances
The three states of matter
State symbols
Properties of ionic
5.2.2.1
2.1 – 2.4
Yes
5.2.2.2
0.3
Yes
5.2.2.3
1.32 – 1.33
Yes
molecules
Polymers
Giant covalent structures
Properties of metals and
Types of
5.2.2.4
1.32, 1.34
Yes
5.2.2.5
1.32, 1.39
Yes
5.2.2.6
1.32
Yes
5.2.2.7
1.32, 1.40/42, 5.5C, 5.6C
alloys
Metals as conductors
of matter
CC7
compounds
Properties of small
CC1 States
1.32, 1.40, 1.42
For Edexcel- alloys is in separate
chemistry only. Examples for
Edexcel include magnalium and
brass.
5.2.2.8
substance
Yes
No – Alloys is not
Yes
5.2.3 Structure and
bonding of carbon
5.2.3.1
1.32, 1.35 – 1.37
Yes
Diamond
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
8
Graphite
Graphene and fullerenes
1.32, 1.35 – 1.37
Yes
1.32, 1.38
Yes
4.2.4.1
9.35C, 9.36C
No
4.2.4.2
9.36C, 9.37C
5.2.3.2
5.2.3.3
Separate Science
4.2.4 Bulk and surface
properties of matter
including nanoparticles

Sizes of particles and
their properties

Uses of
nanoparticles
Not required to evaluate the use of
No
nanoparticles for a specific use, for
Edexcel.
For Edexcel, need to describe how
the properties of nanoparticle
materials are related to their uses.
AQA content not mapping
N/A
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
9
5.3 Quantitative Chemistry
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
5.3.1.1
0.1, 0.3, 1.26
Yes
5.3.1.2
1.43
Yes
Combined Science
5.3.1 Chemical measurements,
conservation of mass and the
quantitative interpretation of
chemical equations
Conservation of mass and
balanced chemical equations
Relative formula mass
CC9
Calculations
Involving
Masses
Mass changes when a reactant
or product is a gas
5.3.1.3
1.47
Yes
Chemical measurement
5.3.1.4
WS 3d
Yes
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
10
5.3.2 Use of amount of
substance in relation to
Edexcel – Includes ‘Calculate the
masses of pure substances
Moles (HT only)
Amounts of substances in
equations (HT only)
5.3.2.1
1.50 – 1.51
5.3.2.2
1.48
5.3.2.3
1.53
number of moles of particles of a
Yes
substance……’ (HT only)
Yes
Edexcel also includes the
calculation of empirical formulae.
Yes
Using moles to balance
equations (HT only)
Limiting reactants (HT only)
Yes
5.3.2.4
1.52
5.3.2.5
1.49
For Edexcel – Calculate the
Yes
concentration only in g dm-3
CC9
Calculations
Involving
Masses
Concentration of solutions
Separate Science
4.3.3 Yield and atom economy
of chemical reactions
Percentage yield
Atom economy
4.3.3.1
4.3.3.2
M
5.11C, 5.12C, 1.48
5.13C, 5.14C, 5.15C
Calculate the masses of reactants
and products from balanced
equations, given the mass of one
substance, is in Combined Science
content for Edexcel (1.48)
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
No
Yes – 1.48 is in year
10 Exam
No
11
4.3.4 Using concentrations of
solutions in mol/dm3
(HT only)
4.3.5 Use of amount of
5.8C, 5.10C
No
5.16C - 5.18C
No
substance in relation to
volumes of gases (HT only)
AQA content not mapping
N/A
5.4 Chemical Changes
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Metal oxides
5.4.1.1
4.5
The reactivity series
5.4.1.2
4.1, 4.3
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
No
Edexcel HT only – 4.2 Explain
No
12
Extraction of metals and
5.4.1.3
4.4 – 4.7
displacement reactions as redox
reduction
Oxidation and reduction in
terms of electrons (HT only)
No
reactions, in terms of gain or loss of
electrons
5.4.1.4
0.4, 3.28, 4.2
For Edexcel HT only – 0.4 Write
0.4 only
balanced ionic equations
5.4.2 Reactions of acids
Reactions of acids with
Edexcel also includes general rules
5.4.2.1
for the solubility of substances in
3.11
water, to be used when predicting if
metals
Neutralisation of acids and
salt production
Soluble salts
No
a precipitate is formed when named
substances are mixed together.
5.4.2.2.
1.26, 3.9 – 3.11
1.26 only
5.4.2.3
Required practical
8
3.15 and 3.17 Core
Practical
Edexcel also includes preparation of
a soluble salt from an acid and a
soluble reactant (by titration) and
The pH scale and
preparation of an insoluble salt.
neutralization
3.1 – 3.3,
No
No
3.13 – 3.14
5.4.2.4
No
Strong and weak acids (HT
only)
5.4.2.5
3.4 – 3.5,
3.7 – 3.8
5.4.3 Electrolysis
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
13
The process of electrolysis
5.4.3.1
0.4, 3.22 – 3.24
0.4 only
Electrolysis of molten ionic
5.4.3.2
3.25 – 3.26
No
5.4.3.3
4.7
5.4.3.4
3.25 and 3.31 Core
compounds
Using electrolysis to extract
metals
Electrolysis of aqueous
solutions
Required practical
Representation of reactions
at electrodes as half
equations (HT only)
Edexcel also includes purification of
copper, using copper electrodes
No
Practical
9
5.4.3.5
No
No
0.4, 3.27 – 3.29
Separate Science
4.4.2.5 Titrations
Required practical 2
5.10C and 5.9C Core
for chemistry only
Practical
No
AQA content not mapping
5.4.2.1 Reactions of acids with metals – HT only – students should be able to explain in terms of gain or loss of electrons, that these are redox reactions.
Students should be able to identify which species are oxidised and which are reduced in given chemical equations. Not required for Edexcel.
5.4.3.3 Manufacture of aluminium using electrolysis – not required for Edexcel
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
14
5.5 Energy Changes
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
5.5.1 Exothermic and
Edexcel also makes reference to
endothermic reactions
energy changes when salts dissolve
Energy transfer during
exothermic and
endothermic reactions
in water and in precipitation
5.5.1.1
7.9 – 7.11
No
Not a core practical for Edexcel,
Required practical
however it is included in the
10
Reaction profiles
reactions.
suggested practicals list.

5.5.1.2

7.15/7.16
No
The energy change of
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
15
reactions (HT only)

5.5.1.3

7.12 – 7.14
No
Separate Science
4.5.2 Chemical cells and
fuel cells
Cells and batteries
4.5.2.1
5.25C
No
4.5.2.2
5.26C, 5.27C, 0.4
No
Fuel cells
AQA content not mapping
5.5.1.1 Required practical activity 10 also includes acids plus metals and acids plus carbonates as possible examples to investigate the temperature
changes taking place
5.6 The rate and extent of chemical change
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
16
5.6.1 Rate of reaction
Calculating rates of
5.6.1.1
7.2 and 7.5
No
reaction
Factors which affect the
rates of chemical reactions
Collision theory and
activation energy
Catalysts
5.6.1.2
No
Required practical
11
7.1 Core Practical
7.3/7.4/7.15
5.6.1.3
7.6/7.7/7.8
5.6.1.4
AQA make it explicit that the
catalyst can be identified as it is not
included in the chemical equation
for the reaction.
No
No
5.6.2 Reversible reactions
and dynamic equilibrium
Reversible reactions

5.6.2.1

4.13
No
reversible reactions

5.6.2.2

4.13
No
Equilibrium

5.6.2.3

4.14
No

5.6.2.4

4.17
Energy changes and
The effect of changing
conditions on equilibrium
(HT only)
The effect of changing
5.6.2.4 is a summary section and
No
the details are in the subsequent
5.6.2.5
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
4.17
statements.
17
concentration (HT only)
The effect of temperature
In Topic 4, Edexcel includes the
5.6.2.6
4.17
reversible reaction and the
changes on equilibrium (HT
only)
formation of ammonia as a
No
No
conditions for the production of
5.6.2.7
4.17
The effect of pressure
ammonia. This is then revisited in
separate chemistry topic 5.
No
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
changes on equilibrium (HT
only)
Separate Science
N/A
AQA content not mapping
N/A
5.7 Organic Chemistry
Topic
AQA reference
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Edexcel reference
18
Combined Science
5.7.1 Carbon compounds
as fuels and feedstock
Crude oil, hydrocarbons
and alkanes
For Edexcel- the term homologous
5.7.1.1
8.3, 8.4
Fractional distillation and
petrochemicals
Properties of hydrocarbons
8.1, 8.2, 8.6, 9.10C
5.7.1.2
8.5, 8.7, 0.3, 9.16C
5.7.1.3
8.16, 8.17, 0.3, 9.15C
series is clearly defined.
For Edexcel- alkanes are found in
separate chemistry 9.10C.
No
No
For Edexcel- names and uses of
fractions are required.
No
For Edexcel- ease of ignition is used
rather than flammability.
Cracking and alkenes
For Edexcel,- evaluating the
5.7.1.4
advantages and disadvantages of
using hydrogen, rather than petrol
in included.
No
0.3 only
For Edexcel- bromine water colour
change with an alkene is separate
chemistry 9.15C only.
Separate Science
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
19
4.7.2 Reactions of alkenes
and alcohols
Structure and formula of
4.7.2.1
9.12C, 9.13C
Pentene is not named as one of the
specific alkenes for Edexcel.
alkenes
Reactions of alkenes
No
4.7.2.2
8.8, 9.13C, 9.14C, 9.15C
For Edexcel – the reactions of
alkenes with hydrogen, water,
No
chlorine and iodine are not
Alcohols
4.7.2.3
9.26C, 9.27C, 9.31C,
9.33C,
The reactions of alcohols with
9.28C Core Practical
4.7.2.4
Carboxylic acids
3.8, 3.11d
included.
9.29C,
9.30C,
No
sodium and water and the main
uses of alcohols are not included for
Edexcel.
The reaction of carboxylic acids with
No
alcohols and the name of the ester
ethyl ethanoate is not required for
Edexcel.
4.7.3 Synthetic and
For Edexcel, poly(chloroethene)
naturally occurring
(PVC) and poly(tetrafluoroethene)
polymers
(PTFE) are also named addition
Addition polymerisation
4.7.3.1
Condensation
polymerisation (HT only)
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
9.17C, 9.18C, 9.19C,
polymers.
No
9.20C
9.22C
Problems associated with polymers
20
Amino acids (HT only)
4.7.3.2
9.25C
DNA (deoxyribonucleic
4.7.3.3
9.25C
acid) and other naturally
occurring polymers
are also included for Edexcel.
Evaluating the advantages and
disadvantages of recycling polymers
is included for Edexcel.
4.7.3.4
No
No
No
AQA content not mapping
N/A
5.8 Chemical Analysis
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
5.8.1 Purity, formulations
and chromatography
Pure substances
Formulations
Chromatography
5.8.1.1
2.5, 2.6
Yes
5.8.1.2
N/A
No
5.8.1.3
2.9, 2.10, 2.11 Core
Yes
Required practical 12
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Practical
CC2
Methods of
separating
and
purifying
substances
21
5.8.2 Identification of
common gases
Test for hydrogen
Test for oxygen
Test for carbon dioxide
5.8.2.1
3.1.2
No
5.8.2.2
8.23
No
5.8.2.3
3.12
No
5.8.2.4
6.8
No
4.8.3.1
9.2C
No
4.8.3.2
9.3C
Test for chlorine
Separate Science
4.8.3 Identification of ions
by chemical and
spectroscopic means
Flame tests
Metal hydroxides
Carbonates
Halides
Sulfates
4.8.3.3
9.5C
4.8.3.4
9.5C
4.8.3.5
9.5C, 9.7C
Required practical 7
9.6C Core Practical
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
Test for magnesium ions using
sodium hydroxide is not included
for Edexcel, however the test to
identify ammonium ions is included.
Also the chemical test for ammonia
is included for Edexcel.
No
No
No
No
22
Instrumental methods
4.8.3.6
9.8C
Flame Emission
4.8.3.7
9.9C
Edexcel specify evaluation of data
from a flame photometer
No
No
spectroscopy
AQA content not mapping
5.8.1.2 Formulations – Students should be able to identify formulations given appropriate information. This is not in the Edexcel specification.
5.9 Chemistry of the atmosphere
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Not explicitly stated for Edexcel.
No
Combined Science
5.9.1 The composition and
evolution of the Earth’s
atmosphere
The proportions of
different gases in the
atmosphere
The Earth’s early
5.9.1.1
5.9.1.2
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
8.18, 8.19, 8.20, 8.21
No
23
atmosphere
8.22
How oxygen increased
5.9.1.3
How carbon dioxide
5.9.1.4
8.21, 8.22
The formation of limestone, coal,
crude oil and natural gas is not
included for Edexcel.
decreased
5.9.2 Carbon dioxide and
No reference is made to short and
methane as greenhouse
long wavelength radiation for
gases
Edexcel.
Greenhouse gases
Human activities which
No
No
5.9.2.1
8.2.4
No
5.9.2.2
8.25a, 8.25b, 8.26
No
contribute to an increase in
greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere
8.26a, 8.26b
Global climate change
5.9.2.3
The carbon footprint and
5.9.2.4
N/A
No
No
its reduction
5.9.3 Common atmospheric
pollutants and their
sources
Atmospheric pollutants
5.9.3.1
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
8.8, 8.10, 8.11, 8.13
No
24
from fuels
Properties and effects of
8.9, 8.12, 8.13
5.9.3.2
No
atmospheric pollutants
Separate Science
N/A
AQA content not mapping
5.9.2.4 The carbon footprint and its reduction – no explicit reference made to the carbon footprint for Edexcel.
5.10 Using resources
Topic
AQA reference
Edexcel reference
Content differences
Year 10 exam
Edexcel
required content resources
Combined Science
5.10.1 Using the Earth’s
resources and obtaining
potable water.
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
25
Using the Earth’s resources
5.10.1.1
N/A
5.10.1.2
2.12
No
and sustainable
development
Potable water
Waste water treatment
Alternative methods of
extracting metals
AQA specify much more detail
Yes
about the processes involved in
Required practical 8
producing potable water and in
treating waste water, than Edexcel
5.10.1.3
2.12
5.10.1.4
4.8
5.10.2.1
4.11, 4.12
5.10.2.2
4.10
4.10.3.1
5.2C, 5.3C, 5.4C
No
4.10.3.2
5.6C, 5.7C
No
4.10.3.3
N/A
No
do.
Yes
No
5.10.2 Life cycle
assessment and recycling
Life cycle assessment
Ways of reducing the use of
resources
The Edexcel focus is only on the
recycling of metals for 4.10
No
No
Separate Science
4.10.3 Using materials
Corrosion and its
prevention
Alloys as useful materials
Ceramics, polymers and
composites
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
26
4.10.4 The Haber process
and the use of NPK
fertilisers
4.10.4.1
4.15, 4.16, 5.19C,
5.20C, 5.21C
The Haber process
Production and uses of
NPK fertilisers
No
Names of the salts produced from
treating phosphate rock are not
4.10.4.2
5.22C, 5.23C, 5.24C
included for Edexcel
No
AQA content not mapping
5.10.1.1 Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable development is not found in the Edexcel specification.
5.10.2.2 Ceramics, polymers and composites – e.g. comparing the properties of thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers, the formation of LD and
HD poly(ethene) are not found in the Edexcel specification.
AQA Spec Mapping – Chemistry 10.01.2017
27