GCSE Chemistry Topics: Full List for Every Exam Board

This guide provides a clear, comprehensive breakdown of GCSE Chemistry topics. It covers every main topic you need to know, shows how content splits between exam papers and highlights what students should focus on when revising. Instead of long explanations, it helps you see the full picture first.

GCSE Chemistry can feel overwhelming because topics build on each other. If you miss the basics, later topics become harder. That is why understanding the structure of the course matters before you start revising in detail.

Start by choosing your exam board first: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, or WJEC. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly what to revise next and how to plan your revision with confidence.

GCSE Chemistry Topics by Exam Board

Use the section that matches your course. Topic names look similar across boards, but the structures and paper splits differ.

AQA GCSE Chemistry Topic List

AQA clearly splits content across Paper 1 and Paper 2. Most schools follow this layout closely, so it is a good place to start.

Paper 1 Topics

• Atomic structure and the periodic table
• Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
• Quantitative chemistry
• Chemical changes
• Energy changes

Paper 2 Topics

• The rate and extent of chemical change
• Organic chemistry
• Chemical analysis
• Chemistry of the atmosphere
• Using resources

What Students Usually Miss (AQA)

For AQA GCSE Chemistry, students often lose marks in the same areas. Many underestimate the required practicals and forget that exams test understanding, not just the method. Chemistry calculations also cause problems, especially when questions involve several tells or unit changes. Precise definitions matter too, as answers must match exam wording closely. Students also struggle with graphs, charts and data questions, where careful reading makes the difference. Finally, many revise topics in isolation and miss links between ideas, which exam questions regularly test.

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Topic List

Edexcel organises topics differently and spreads key ideas across papers rather than using a simple Paper 1 and Paper 2 split. Core chemistry concepts often appear in more than one area.

Most revision hubs group Edexcel content into:

• Principles of chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Physical chemistry
• Organic chemistry

Always check your specification code and your school’s paper structure. Do not assume Edexcel topics match AQA topic numbers or paper order.

OCR A GCSE Chemistry Topic List

OCR uses different headings and places more emphasis on concepts and processes. Topic names may feel broader, but the core chemistry remains familiar. Common OCR headings include:

• Particles and matter
• Elements, compounds, and mixtures
• Chemical reactions
• Chemical changes
• Global challenges

Use the OCR section of your course page or specification to confirm exact topic wording and assessment focus.

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Topic List

WJEC follows a similar core structure but uses its own topic labels and emphasis. Headline areas usually include:

• Structure of substances
• Chemical reactions and rates
• Organic chemistry
• Chemistry in the real world

Always check your WJEC specification for exact wording and depth. Small differences matter in exams.

GCSE Combined Science vs Separate Chemistry: What Changes?

GCSE Combined Science and Separate Chemistry cover many of the same core ideas, but they do not go into the same level of detail. Separate Chemistry includes extra content and explores topics in more depth. Some ideas are explained more fully and exam questions can expect stronger subject knowledge.

Combined Science Chemistry still focuses on the same big themes, such as reactions, energy and the periodic table. However, it reduces depth in some areas and leaves out certain details. This means revision often feels broader but less detailed than Separate Chemistry.

Your teacher can confirm which course you sit in, but your timetable usually gives it away.

Topic by Topic Revision Checklist for GCSE Chemistry

Use this like a tracker. Tick off what you can do without notes. If a point feels shaky, that is where revision should start.

Atomic Structure and The Periodic Table

• Identify protons, neutrons, and electrons and explain their roles
• Explain isotopes and calculate relative atomic mass
• Describe electron shells and electronic structure
• Understand periodic trends across periods and down groups
• Explain the properties of Group 1, Group 7 and Group 0

Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter

• Compare ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding
• Link bonding type to structure and properties
• Describe simple molecular, giant ionic, giant covalent and metallic structures
• Explain basic properties of nanoparticles
• Understand the basics of polymers

Quantitative Chemistry

• Use the mole concept confidently
• Balance chemical equations
• Calculate masses and concentrations
• Use gas volume relationships where required
• Calculate percentage yield and atom economy

Chemical Changes

• Use the reactivity series to predict reactions
• Understand acids, alkalis, and neutralisation
• Describe how to prepare salts
• Explain electrolysis at a basic level
• Use oxidation and reduction language correctly

Energy Changes

• Identify exothermic and endothermic reactions
• Interpret reaction profile diagrams
• Understand bond energy ideas
• Spot common mistakes in energy practical questions

Rate and Extent of Chemical Change

• Explain the collision theory
• Describe factors that affect the rate of reaction
• Understand how catalysts work
• Explain the equilibrium where it appears in your course

Organic Chemistry

• Understand crude oil and fractional distillation
• Describe alkanes and alkenes
• Explain basic polymer formation
• Understand fermentation at a simple level where required

Chemical Analysis

• Recall gas tests and flame tests
• Understand chromatography and what the results show
• Know the purpose of titrations
• Explain purity and formulations

Chemistry of the Atmosphere

• Describe how Earth’s atmosphere evolved
• Understand greenhouse gases and their effects
• Identify major air pollutants
• Make simple links to climate change

Using Resources

• Explain how potable water is produced
• Describe methods of metal extraction
• Understand life cycle assessments
• Explain recycling and resource use
• Know the basics of the Haber process and NPK fertilisers

Required Practicals and “Working Scientifically” Skills

In GCSE Chemistry exams, working scientifically tests how well you understand practical work, not how well you memorise steps. Questions often focus on planning methods, identifying variables and explaining how to improve accuracy. You may need to interpret graphs, analyse results and evaluate experiments. Examiners also look for clear conclusions that link results back to the original aim. All exam boards include these skills explicitly in their specifications.

When revising required practicals, follow a clear structure. Start with the method and make sure you understand why each step matters. Practise setting up clear results tables with correct headings and units. Then focus on writing conclusions that match the data. Finally, practise evaluation by spotting errors, suggesting improvements and explaining limits in accuracy. This approach prepares you for any practical-based question, even when it looks unfamiliar.

How to Revise GCSE Chemistry Topics

Revising GCSE Chemistry works best when you stay organised and focus on progress rather than volume. Start by prioritising weaker topics instead of trying to revise everything at once. Use past exam questions by topic to see how ideas are tested in real exams. Rely on active recall rather than rereading notes and space your revision over time to improve long-term memory. Keep a mistake log so you can revisit errors regularly and mix short revision sessions with quick exam-style practise to stay focused and consistent.

A Simple 2 Week GCSE Chemistry Revision Plan

Week 1:

Focus on Paper 1 topics. Revise one topic per day using active recall, then finish with a few exam questions. Use one day to review mistakes and required practicals.

Week 2:

Move on to Paper 2 topics. Follow the same pattern and spend the final days linking topics together and practising mixed exam questions. End the week by reviewing your mistake log and tightening weak areas.

This approach keeps revision manageable and helps you stay consistent without burnout.

Conclusion

GCSE Chemistry becomes far more manageable when you understand the topic structure and revise with a clear plan. Once you know which topics appear on your course and where your gaps sit, revision stops feeling random and starts feeling controlled. This guide gives you that structure and helps you focus on what actually matters.

Choose your board, tick off the checklist, then practise questions.

If you want extra support, online GCSE Chemistry tutoring can make a real difference. A tutor can explain difficult topics clearly, target weak areas and guide you through exam questions step by step. This kind of support helps students build confidence, improve accuracy and stay consistent right through to exam day.

FAQs

How many topics are in GCSE Chemistry?

The exact number depends on your exam board, but most GCSE Chemistry courses cover around ten main topic areas. These topics group related ideas together and appear across two exam papers or sections.

What are the hardest GCSE Chemistry topics?

Many students find quantitative chemistry, energy changes and rate of reaction topics the hardest. These areas often combine calculations with theory, which requires careful practise and a clear understanding.

Which topics are Paper 1 vs Paper 2?

For AQA, Paper 1 usually covers atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, and energy changes. Paper 2 focuses on rates of reaction, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, the atmosphere, and using resources. Other boards organise topics differently, so always check your specification.

Is Combined Science Chemistry the same as Separate Chemistry?

Combined Science Chemistry covers the same main themes but in less depth. Separate Chemistry includes extra detail and additional content, which leads to more demanding exam questions.

How do I know my exam board?

Your exam board is usually shown on your timetable, course handbook, or exercise books. If you are unsure, your teacher can confirm it quickly.