8462 · AQA GCSE
8462/21
(Rates, Organic, Chemical Analysis, Atmosphere, Using Resources)
Chemistry · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
2.5 / 5
200
210 min
Exothermic and endothermic reactions
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
200
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
2.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A substantial proportion of marks was allocated to core chemistry practical skills and data analysis.
In Paper 1, Question 10 was a major source of marks, assessing student knowledge of exothermic reactions, reaction profiles, and practical planning (6 marks).
Over in Paper 2, Question 10 tested the evaluation of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for milk bottles, demanding a coherent and structured comparison to secure the full 6 marks.
Quantitative topics such as relative atomic mass, atom economy, and E5/E10 fuel conversions also represented high-value mark zones.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 6100%Scientific R
Weight: 583%Practical
Weight: 467%Method
Weight: 350%Graphical Construction
Weight: 233%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 72% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 62% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 40% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 18% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 13% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Exothermic and endothermic reactions
18 marks this session
Rate of reaction
16 marks this session
The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers
15 marks this session
Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock
15 marks this session
Life cycle assessment and recycling
14 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Exothermic and endothermic reactions
Rate of reaction
Reactions of acids (Chemical changes)
The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers
Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock
Rate of reaction (The rate and extent of chemical change)
A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
Life cycle assessment and recycling
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Foundation
Paper 1: Foundation
Paper 2:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Exothermic and endothermic reactions
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRate of reaction
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCarbon compounds as fuels and feedstock
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLife cycle assessment and recycling
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A substantial proportion of marks was allocated to core chemistry practical skills and data analysis.
- 2Message
In Paper 1, Question 10 was a major source of marks, assessing student knowledge of exothermic reactions, reaction profiles, and practical planning (6 marks).
- 3Message
Over in Paper 2, Question 10 tested the evaluation of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for milk bottles, demanding a coherent and structured comparison to secure the full 6 marks.
- 4Message
Quantitative topics such as relative atomic mass, atom economy, and E5/E10 fuel conversions also represented high-value mark zones.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Chemistry
A substantial proportion of marks was allocated to core chemistry practical skills and data analysis. In Paper 1, Question 10 was a major source of marks, assessing student knowledge of exothermic reactions, reaction profiles, and practical planning (6 marks). Over in Paper 2, Qu
A substantial proportion of marks was allocated to core chemistry practical skills and data analysis.
In Paper 1, Question 10 was a major source of marks, assessing student knowledge of exothermic reactions, reaction profiles, and practical planning (6 marks).
Over in Paper 2, Question 10 tested the evaluation of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for milk bottles, demanding a coherent and structured comparison to secure the full 6 marks.
- Total marks
- 200
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 2.5 / 5
Session analysis
A substantial proportion of marks was allocated to core chemistry practical skills and data analysis. In Paper 1, Question 10 was a major source of marks, assessing student knowledge of exothermic reactions, reaction profiles, and practical planning (6 marks). Over in Paper 2, Question 10 tested the evaluation of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for milk bottles, demanding a coherent and structured comparison to secure the full 6 marks. Quantitative topics such as relative atomic mass, atom economy, and E5/E10 fuel conversions also represented high-value mark zones.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Foundation
Paper 1: Foundation
Paper 2:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
85% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Short Answer
111·44·56%
Multiple Choice / Tick-box
46·42·23%
Calculation
31·12·16%
Extended Writing
(Level of Response)
12·2·6%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 (Questions
0.96 m/minPaper 2 (Questions
0.96 m/minTotal marks
86
Total time
90 min
Avg pace
0.96
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Titration and Concentration calculations
85%85%
Chromatography Rf values
80%80%
Chemical cells and fuel cells
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice / Tick-box, Short Answer / Fill-in-the-blank, Structured Calculations, Graph Plotting & Data Interpretation, Level of Response (Extended writing)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.