9701 · Cambridge International A Level
9701/43
(A Level Structured Questions)
Chemistry · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
270
465 min
Chemical Energetics and Transition Metals
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) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 demand a high level of structural precision.
Paper 53 (Planning) continues to test numerical analysis thoroughly, with candidates frequently stumbling on gradient calculations and experimental error propagating from temperature changes.
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
Weight: 7100%Mechanism
Weight: 686%Drawing
Weight: 571%Experimental
Weight: 457%Periodicity &
Weight: 343%Physical
Weight: 229%Chemistr
Weight: 114%
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. 77% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 65% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 24% 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.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
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.
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
Chemical energetics
30 marks this session
Organic synthesis
28 marks this session
Electrochemistry
27 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 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 43 (A Level Structured Questions):
Paper 53 (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
Chemical energetics
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiOrganic synthesis
28 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectrochemistry
27 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) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
- 2Message
While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 demand a high level of structural precision.
- 3Message
Paper 53 (Planning) continues to test numerical analysis thoroughly, with candidates frequently stumbling on gradient calculations and experimental error propagating from temperature changes.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Chemistry
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5. While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 dem
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 demand a high level of structural precision.
Paper 53 (Planning) continues to test numerical analysis thoroughly, with candidates frequently stumbling on gradient calculations and experimental error propagating from temperature changes.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 465 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5. While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 demand a high level of structural precision. Paper 53 (Planning) continues to test numerical analysis thoroughly, with candidates frequently stumbling on gradient calculations and experimental error propagating from temperature changes.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 43 (A Level Structured Questions):
Paper 53 (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.
78% 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.
Structured
160·14·59%
Practical/Experimental
70·5·26%
Multiple Choice
40·40·15%
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 13 (Multiple
0.53 m/minPaper 23 (AS Theory)
0.80 m/minPaper 53 (Planning
0.40 m/minTotal marks
130
Total time
225 min
Avg pace
0.58
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Diazotisation and Azo Dye Synthesis
85%85%
Nernst Equation Calculations
80%80%
Transition Element Stability Constants (Kstab)
78%78%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) series presents a balanced but formidable challenge, earning a solid difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5. While Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) is accessible for well-prepared candidates, Paper 23 and the heavy organic synthesis segments in Paper 43 demand a high level of structural precision. Paper 53 (Planning) continues to test numerical analysis thoroughly, with candidates frequently stumbling on gradient calculations and experimental error propagating from temperature changes.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- State Symbols: A classic trap in Paper 23, Question 3(a) is failing to include correct state symbols for the standard enthalpy of formation of water: H2(g)+12O2(g)→H2O(l) \text{H}_2\text{(g)} + \frac{1}{2}\text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} H2(g)+21O2(g)→H2O(l).
- Mechanism Arrows: Curly arrows must originate explicitly from a lone pair or a covalent bond and point directly to the accepting atom. Vague arrow alignments are severely penalised.
- Complementary Colors: When explaining the colour of transition complexes, candidates often state that electrons emit light as they transition down, rather than explaining that white light is absorbed during d-d splitting and the complementary colour is seen.
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.