9701 · Cambridge International A Level
9701/12
(Multiple Choice)
Chemistry · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.8 / 5
270
465 min
Organic Reaction Mechanisms and Isomerism
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
465 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding.
While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduced highly analytical elements.
These included multi-step redox systems, pH-dependent standard cell potentials, and complex spectroscopic analyses (NMR splitting patterns for oxygenated organic molecules) that pushed candidates to apply theoretical models to unfamiliar contexts.
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.
Knowledge witAO2
Weight: 3100%Handling, appAO3
Weight: 267%Experimental
Weight: 133%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Graph plotting in Paper 52: incorrect scaling, forgetting to show working for gradients, and not using coordinates directly from the line of best fit.
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. 77% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 23% 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.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
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
Isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism
40 marks this session
Equilibria (A Level / AS Level)
35 marks this session
Reaction kinetics (A Level)
32 marks this session
Enthalpy change, ΔH
30 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)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 32 (Advanced Practical Skills 2):
Paper 42 (A Level Structured):
Paper 52 (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
Isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEquilibria (A Level / AS Level)
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiReaction kinetics (A Level)
32 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEnthalpy change, ΔH
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding.
- 2Message
While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduced highly analytical elements.
- 3Message
These included multi-step redox systems, pH-dependent standard cell potentials, and complex spectroscopic analyses (NMR splitting patterns for oxygenated organic molecules) that pushed candidates to apply theoretical models to unfamiliar contexts.
- 4Method
Graph plotting in Paper 52: incorrect scaling, forgetting to show working for gradients, and not using coordinates directly from the line of best fit.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Chemistry
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding. While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduce
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding.
While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduced highly analytical elements.
These included multi-step redox systems, pH-dependent standard cell potentials, and complex spectroscopic analyses (NMR splitting patterns for oxygenated organic molecules) that pushed candidates to apply theoretical models to unfamiliar contexts.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 465 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding. While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduced highly analytical elements. These included multi-step redox systems, pH-dependent standard cell potentials, and complex spectroscopic analyses (NMR splitting patterns for oxygenated organic molecules) that pushed candidates to apply theoretical models to unfamiliar contexts.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 32 (Advanced Practical Skills 2):
Paper 42 (A Level Structured):
Paper 52 (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.
Long Answer & Structured
(A Level)
100·35·37%
Short Answer & Structured
(AS)
60·22·22%
Multiple Choice Questions
40·40·15%
Practical Experiments & Written Tasks
40·3·15%
Planning, Analysis & Evaluation Tasks
30·8·11%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 12 (Multiple
0.53 m/minPaper 22 (AS Struct
0.80 m/minPaper 52 (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.
Partition Coefficients (K_pc)
85%85%
Degradable polymers and polyester hydrolysis
80%80%
Entropy calculations and spontaneous changes
75%75%
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) papers presented a medium-to-hard challenge, testing a fine balance of factual recall, rigorous calculation, and deep mechanistic understanding. While Paper 12 and Paper 22 maintained standard conceptual patterns, Paper 42 and Paper 52 introduced highly analytical elements. These included multi-step redox systems, pH-dependent standard cell potentials, and complex spectroscopic analyses (NMR splitting patterns for oxygenated organic molecules) that pushed candidates to apply theoretical models to unfamiliar contexts.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.