The O-Level Chemistry Syllabus is designed to place less emphasis on factual materials while greatly emphasising on the understanding and application of scientific concepts and principles. This approach has been adopted in recognition of the need for students to develop skills that will be of long-term value in an increasingly complex and globalised world, rather than focusing on large quantities of factual material, which may have only short-term relevance.
It is envisaged that teaching and learning programmes based on this syllabus will feature a wide variety of learning experiences designed to promote acquisition of scientific expertise and understanding, and to develop values and attitudes relevant to science. Teachers are encouraged to use a combination of appropriate strategies including developing practical work for their students to facilitate a greater understanding of the subject. It is expected that students will apply investigative and problem-solving skills and effectively communicate the theoretical concepts covered in this course.
The aims of a course based on this O-Level Chemistry syllabus should be to:
The disciplinary ideas of Chemistry described below represent the overarching ideas which can be applied to explain, analyse and solve a variety of problems that seek to address the broader questions of what matter is and how particles interact with one another. Equipping students with a coherent view and conceptual framework facilitates the application and transfer of learning. These disciplinary ideas can be revisited and deepened at higher levels of learning and beyond the schooling years.
The Assessment Objectives listed below reflect those parts of the Aims and Practices of Science that will be assessed.
A Knowledge with Understanding
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in relation to:
The syllabus content defines the factual knowledge that candidates may be required to recall and explain. Questions testing these objectives will often begin with one of the following words: define, state, name,
describe, explain or outline.
B Handling Information and Solving Problems
Candidates should be able (in words or by using symbolic, graphical and numerical forms of presentation) to:
These Assessment Objectives cannot be precisely specified in the O-Level Chemistry syllabus content because questions testing such skills may be based on information which is unfamiliar to the candidate. In answering such questions, candidates are required to use principles and concepts that are within the syllabus and apply them in a logical, reasoned or deductive manner to a novel situation. Questions testing these objectives will often begin with one
of the following words: predict, deduce, suggest, calculate or determine.
C Experimental Skills and Investigations
Candidates should be able to:
Weighting of Assessment Objectives
Theory Papers (Papers 1 and 2)
A Knowledge with Understanding, approximately 45% of the marks with approximately 15% allocated to recall.
B Handling Information and Solving Problems, approximately 55% of the marks.
Practical Assessment (Paper 3)
Paper 3 will assess appropriate aspects of assessment objectives C1 to C6 in the following skill areas:
The assessment of Planning (P) will have a weighting of 15%. The assessment of skill areas: MMO, PDO and ACE will have a weighting of 85%.
Candidates are required to enter for Papers 1, 2 and 3.
| Paper | Type of Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Multiple Choice |
1 h |
40 |
30% |
|
2 |
Structured and Free Response |
1 h 45 min |
80 |
50% |
|
3 |
Practical |
1 h 50 min |
40 |
20% |
Theory Papers
Paper 1 (1 h, 40 marks)
This paper consists of 40 compulsory multiple-choice items.
Paper 2 (1 h 45 min, 80 marks)
This paper consists of two sections.
Section A will carry 70 marks and consist of a variable number of compulsory structured questions. The last two questions will carry 20 marks, one of which is a data-based question requiring candidates to interpret, evaluate or solve problems using a stem of information. The data-based question will carry 8–12 marks.
Section B will carry 10 marks and will consist of two questions. Candidates must answer only one out of these two questions.
Practical Assessment
Paper 3 (1h 50 min, 40 marks)
This paper consists of a variable number of compulsory practical questions.
One, or more, of the questions may incorporate assessment of Planning (P) and require candidates to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding from different sections of the syllabus. The PDO and ACE assessment may include data-analysis questions that do not require practical equipment and apparatus.
Candidates cannot refer to notebooks, textbooks or any other information during the assessment.
Full O-Level Chemistry syllabus details can be read in the SEAB O-Level Chemistry Syllabus 6092.
