AQA GCSE Chemistry, Foundation tier exam papers and weighting (8462)
Guide overview All topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each AQA GCSE Chemistry, Foundation tier paper assesses
AQA GCSE Chemistry (specification 8462) is one of the three separate sciences and is examined by two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each, worth 50% apiece. Paper 1 covers the first half of the topics and Paper 2 the second, though Paper 2 questions can also draw on the fundamental ideas of atomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistry. This is the Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5 are available, and the higher-tier content is not examined.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Chemistry Paper 1 |
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Bonding, Structure, and the Properties of Matter Quantitative Chemistry Chemical Changes Energy Changes |
1 hour 45 minutes | 100 marks | 50% |
|
Paper 2 Chemistry Paper 2 |
The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Organic Chemistry Chemical Analysis Chemistry of the Atmosphere Using Resources |
1 hour 45 minutes | 100 marks | 50% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table | Paper 1 | 202 |
| Bonding, Structure, and the Properties of Matter | Paper 1 | 197 |
| Chemical Analysis | Paper 2 | 100 |
| Chemical Changes | Paper 1 | 146 |
| Chemistry of the Atmosphere | Paper 2 | 115 |
| Energy Changes | Paper 1 | 76 |
| Organic Chemistry | Paper 2 | 190 |
| Quantitative Chemistry | Paper 1 | 79 |
| The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change | Paper 2 | 96 |
| Using Resources | Paper 2 | 185 |
Assessment details from the AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462, version 1.2, January 2026. AQA specification.
Every paper is covered, because the guide runs the whole specification.Get the guide, £7
AQA GCSE Chemistry, Foundation tier Active Recall Guide
1,386 questions across every paper on the specification.