9701 · Cambridge International AS Level
9701/22
AS Level Structured Questions
Chemistry · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.4 / 5
140
270 min
Chemical Energetics & Stoichiometric Calculations
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5).
Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic questions.
Paper 22 served as a strong discriminator, featuring detailed questions on Period 3 melting points and chemical energetics.
Paper 32 was demanding in terms of time management and accuracy of observation recording, as is typical for the practical series.
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: 5100%Mechanisms &
Weight: 480%Trend
Weight: 360%Explanations
Weight: 240%Experimental
Weight: 120%
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. 64% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 34% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Chemical energetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
15 marks this session
Reacting masses and volumes (Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry)
15 marks this session
The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity (Inorganic chemistry (AS Level))
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
Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
Reaction kinetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
Qualitative Analysis (Inorganic)
Reacting masses and volumes
The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
Chemical energetics (AS)
Chemistry of transition elements (Inorganic chemistry (A Level))
Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 32 (Advanced Practical Skills 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
Chemical energetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiReacting masses and volumes (Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry)
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe Periodic Table: chemical periodicity (Inorganic chemistry (AS Level))
14 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) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5).
- 2Message
Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic questions.
- 3Message
Paper 22 served as a strong discriminator, featuring detailed questions on Period 3 melting points and chemical energetics.
- 4Message
Paper 32 was demanding in terms of time management and accuracy of observation recording, as is typical for the practical series.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Chemistry
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5). Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic question
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5).
Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic questions.
Paper 22 served as a strong discriminator, featuring detailed questions on Period 3 melting points and chemical energetics.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5). Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic questions. Paper 22 served as a strong discriminator, featuring detailed questions on Period 3 melting points and chemical energetics. Paper 32 was demanding in terms of time management and accuracy of observation recording, as is typical for the practical series.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 32 (Advanced Practical Skills 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.
79% 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
60·5·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical
40·3·29%
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
0.53 m/minPaper 22
0.80 m/minTotal marks
100
Total time
150 min
Avg pace
0.67
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Electrochemistry (Standard Electrode Potentials)
85%85%
Reaction Kinetics & Rate Equations
75%75%
Overview & Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 Chemistry (9701) examination papers (comprising Paper 12, Paper 22, and Paper 32) represent a moderate to high difficulty level (rated 3.4 out of 5). Paper 12 maintained standard multiple-choice rigorousness with several tricky stoichiometry and kinetic questions. Paper 22 served as a strong discriminator, featuring detailed questions on Period 3 melting points and chemical energetics. Paper 32 was demanding in terms of time management and accuracy of observation recording, as is typical for the practical series.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 46%
- Question types
- Structured Question
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.