9701 · Cambridge International A Level
9701/41
(A Level Structured Questions)
Chemistry · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.2 / 5
270
465 min
Chemistry of transition elements
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
465 min
Session difficulty
4.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) examination series, spanning papers 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51.
The papers thoroughly test transition elements, kinetics, organic synthesis mechanisms, and experimental planning.
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 and
Weight: 6100%Organic
Weight: 583%Mechanism
Weight: 467%Experimental and
Weight: 350%Trends and Periods
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 71% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 62% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 34% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 25% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2.5
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Chemistry of transition elements
28 marks this session
Nitrogen compounds (Organic chemistry (A Level))
26 marks this session
Organic synthesis (Organic chemistry (A Level))
24 marks this session
Chemical energetics (Physical chemistry (A Level))
22 marks this session
Simple rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants (Reaction kinetics)
20 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
Chemistry of transition elements
Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
Organic synthesis
Chemistry of transition elements (Inorganic chemistry (A Level))
Reaction kinetics (Physical chemistry (A Level))
Organic synthesis (Organic chemistry (AS Level))
Electrochemistry
Arenes (Hydrocarbons)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice:
Paper 21 - AS Level Structured Questions:
Paper 31 - Advanced Practical Skills 1:
Paper 41 - A Level Structured Questions:
Paper 51 - Planning, Analysis and Evaluation:
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
Chemistry of transition elements
28 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNitrogen compounds (Organic chemistry (A Level))
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiOrganic synthesis (Organic chemistry (A Level))
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiChemical energetics (Physical chemistry (A Level))
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSimple rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants (Reaction kinetics)
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) examination series, spanning papers 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51.
- 2Message
The papers thoroughly test transition elements, kinetics, organic synthesis mechanisms, and experimental planning.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Chemistry
A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) examination series, spanning papers 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51. The papers thoroughly test transition elements, kinetics, organic synthesis mechanisms, and experimental planning.
A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) examination series, spanning papers 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51.
The papers thoroughly test transition elements, kinetics, organic synthesis mechanisms, and experimental planning.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 465 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.2 / 5
Session analysis
A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) examination series, spanning papers 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51. The papers thoroughly test transition elements, kinetics, organic synthesis mechanisms, and experimental planning.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice:
Paper 21 - AS Level Structured Questions:
Paper 31 - Advanced Practical Skills 1:
Paper 41 - A Level Structured Questions:
Paper 51 - Planning, Analysis and Evaluation:
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.
72% 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.
Paper 41)
100·8·37%
Paper 21)
60·5·22%
Paper 11)
40·40·15%
Paper 31)
40·3·15%
Paper 51)
30·3·11%
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 11 (Multiple
0.53 m/minPaper 21 (AS Level
0.80 m/minPaper 51 (Planning
0.40 m/minTotal marks
130
Total time
225 min
Avg pace
0.58
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.
Electrochemistry and Nernst Equation
85%85%
Infrared Spectroscopy and Analytical Identification
80%80%
Entropy change, ΔS and Gibbs free energy change, ΔG
75%75%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 100
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.