9701 · Cambridge International AS Level
9701/23
AS Level Structured Questions
Chemistry · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.5 / 5
140
270 min
Quantitative and Qualitative Experimental Analysis
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The core of the mark allocation remains centered around two key pillars: Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry and Chemical Energetics, which together account for over 22% of the total marks across the papers.
In Paper 23, the reaction kinetics section and Haber process calculations represented high-yield marks for those well-practiced in using equilibrium constants (KpK_pKp) and mole fractions.
Organic mechanisms (especially SN1S_N1SN1 vs SN2S_N2SN2 pathways) also carried significant weight, rewarding students who could meticulously draft curly arrows, formal charges, and dipoles.
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: 7100%Conceptual Understanding
Weight: 686%Organic
Weight: 457%Reaction
Weight: 343%Practical & Numerical Skills
Weight: 229%Observation
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. 66% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” 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
Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
16 marks this session
Chemical energetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
16 marks this session
Halogen compounds (Organic chemistry (AS Level))
11 marks this session
Inorganic Qualitative Analysis
10 marks this session
Chemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium (Equilibria)
9 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 13: May/June 2024
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23: May/June 2024
Paper 2 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33: May/June 2024
Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
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
Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiChemical energetics (Physical chemistry (AS Level))
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiHalogen compounds (Organic chemistry (AS Level))
11 marks this session
Practise in RevuiInorganic Qualitative Analysis
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiChemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium (Equilibria)
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The core of the mark allocation remains centered around two key pillars: Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry and Chemical Energetics, which together account for over 22% of the total marks across the papers.
- 2Message
In Paper 23, the reaction kinetics section and Haber process calculations represented high-yield marks for those well-practiced in using equilibrium constants (KpK_pKp) and mole fractions.
- 3Message
Organic mechanisms (especially SN1S_N1SN1 vs SN2S_N2SN2 pathways) also carried significant weight, rewarding students who could meticulously draft curly arrows, formal charges, and dipoles.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Chemistry
The core of the mark allocation remains centered around two key pillars: Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry and Chemical Energetics, which together account for over 22% of the total marks across the papers. In Paper 23, the reaction kinetics section and Haber process calculations r
The core of the mark allocation remains centered around two key pillars: Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry and Chemical Energetics, which together account for over 22% of the total marks across the papers.
In Paper 23, the reaction kinetics section and Haber process calculations represented high-yield marks for those well-practiced in using equilibrium constants (KpK_pKp) and mole fractions.
Organic mechanisms (especially SN1S_N1SN1 vs SN2S_N2SN2 pathways) also carried significant weight, rewarding students who could meticulously draft curly arrows, formal charges, and dipoles.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The core of the mark allocation remains centered around two key pillars: Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry and Chemical Energetics, which together account for over 22% of the total marks across the papers. In Paper 23, the reaction kinetics section and Haber process calculations represented high-yield marks for those well-practiced in using equilibrium constants (KpK_pKp) and mole fractions. Organic mechanisms (especially SN1S_N1SN1 vs SN2S_N2SN2 pathways) also carried significant weight, rewarding students who could meticulously draft curly arrows, formal charges, and dipoles.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 13: May/June 2024
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23: May/June 2024
Paper 2 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33: May/June 2024
Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
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 / Free Response
60·35·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical / Experimental
40·15·29%
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 1 (Multiple C
0.53 m/minPaper 2 (Structured
0.80 m/minTotal marks
100
Total time
150 min
Avg pace
0.67
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.
Group 17 elements (trends and reactions)
85%85%
Born-Haber cycles and lattice energy
80%80%
Aromatic compounds / Benzene reactions
75%75%
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.