How to get a grade A* in A-Level Chemistry
A* A-Level Chemistry rewards confident multi-step calculations, mechanism accuracy, and the ability to apply organic and physical chemistry to unseen problems.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
What a grade A* answer does
- Drill multi-step calculations (equilibria, Kc/Kp, pH, Born–Haber, titrations) with full working.
- Draw curly-arrow mechanisms precisely and predict products of unfamiliar reactions.
- Master synoptic questions that combine physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.
- Know the practical/analysis techniques (NMR, TLC, titrations) in depth.
Why students miss the top grade
- Arithmetic slips and dropped units in long calculations.
- Sloppy mechanism arrows (from bond, not atom).
- Not practising application to unseen molecules.
The method that actually works
- Practise past-paper-style questions, then mark your answer against the mark scheme — the fastest way to find the marks you drop.
- Act on the feedback: for every mark lost, write the exact phrase that would have earned it.
- Space it out and retrieve from memory rather than re-reading notes.
- Target your weakest topics, not the ones you already enjoy.
GradeNine marks your own written Chemistry answers against the mark scheme in seconds and tells you exactly which marks you missed and why — the feedback loop that moves you toward a grade A*. Try it free →
Grade boundaries change every year and are set by the exam board after each session — always check your board's published grade boundaries for the exact marks needed.