Topical revision checklist for AQA UK GCE A Level Chemistry — specification 7405. Track confidence for each topic and sub-topic; aligned to 2026 specification headings. Rate your confidence (1–5) for each specification topic.
| Topic | Sub-topic | Resources | Confidence (1–5) | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Atomic orbitals; electron configuration; ionisation energy trends | ||||
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Amount of substance: moles, empirical and molecular formulae | ||||
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Balancing equations; reacting masses and titrations | ||||
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Bonding: ionic, covalent, dative, metallic | ||||
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Shapes of molecules; bond angles; electronegativity and polarity | ||||
| 1. Physical chemistry — fundamentals | Intermolecular forces: London, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonding | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Enthalpy definitions: formation, combustion, neutralisation | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Hess’s law cycles; bond enthalpy calculations | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Rate of reaction; collision theory; Arrhenius (introductory) | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Orders of reaction; rate equations; half-life | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Catalysts: homogeneous and heterogeneous | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Dynamic equilibrium; Kc and Kp expressions | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Le Chatelier’s principle; partial pressures | ||||
| 2. Energetics and kinetics | Acids and bases: pH, Ka, buffers (as specified) | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Oxidation numbers; balancing redox equations | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Electrochemical cells; standard electrode potentials E° | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Predicting feasibility of reactions | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Periodicity across Period 3: oxides and chlorides | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Group 2 trends; Group 7 displacement and disproportionation | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Transition metals: variable oxidation states; complex ions; colour | ||||
| 3. Redox and inorganic chemistry | Catalysis by transition metals | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | IUPAC nomenclature; structural and stereoisomerism | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Reaction mechanisms: curly arrows; nucleophilic substitution | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Alkanes: free-radical substitution | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Alkenes: electrophilic addition; polymerisation | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Halogenoalkanes: SN1/SN2 overview | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Alcohols: oxidation, dehydration | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Aldehydes and ketones: nucleophilic addition | ||||
| 4. Organic chemistry — core | Carboxylic acids and derivatives (as specified) | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Benzene structure and stability; electrophilic substitution | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Directing effects of substituents (introductory) | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Amines: basicity; diazonium salts (as specified) | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Amino acids, peptides, proteins | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Condensation polymers: polyester, polyamide | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Multi-step synthetic routes; retrosynthesis | ||||
| 5. Organic chemistry — aromatics and synthesis | Green chemistry principles | ||||
| 6. Modern analytical techniques | Mass spectrometry: molecular ion, fragmentation | ||||
| 6. Modern analytical techniques | Infrared spectroscopy: characteristic absorptions | ||||
| 6. Modern analytical techniques | Carbon-13 and proton NMR: chemical shift, integration, splitting | ||||
| 6. Modern analytical techniques | Combined techniques for structure elucidation | ||||
| 6. Modern analytical techniques | Chromatography: Rf; HPLC/GC overview |
Use with our Past Paper Finder for exam practice. Always cross-check topic coverage with your school’s route and the official board specification.