100+ Free Cambridge IAL Chemistry Practice Questions

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A buffer is made from 0.10 mol/dm^3 ethanoic acid and 0.20 mol/dm^3 sodium ethanoate. pKa = 4.74. What is the pH?

5.74

4.44

4.74

5.04

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Key Facts: Cambridge IAL Chemistry Exam

9701

Cambridge syllabus code

CAIE

5 papers

Required for full A-Level

CAIE 9701 syllabus

A*-E

Grading scale

CAIE

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Cambridge IAL Chemistry (9701) is a five-paper pre-university qualification covering physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry. P1 MCQ and P2 structured make up AS; P3 practical, P4 structured and P5 planning/analysis make up A2. Grades A*-E with exams in May/June and October/November worldwide.

Sample Cambridge IAL Chemistry Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Cambridge IAL Chemistry exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many protons, neutrons and electrons are in a neutral atom of 37Cl?

A.17 p, 20 n, 17 e

B.20 p, 17 n, 17 e

C.17 p, 17 n, 20 e

D.17 p, 20 n, 20 e

Explanation: Chlorine has atomic number 17, so it has 17 protons. The mass number 37 minus 17 protons gives 20 neutrons. A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, so 17 electrons.

2A sample of boron contains 19.9% 10B (mass 10.013) and 80.1% 11B (mass 11.009). What is the relative atomic mass?

A.10.81

B.10.50

C.11.00

D.10.01

Explanation: RAM = sum of (isotope mass x % abundance)/100 = (10.013 x 19.9 + 11.009 x 80.1)/100 = (199.26 + 881.82)/100 = 10.81.

3What is the amount, in moles, of CO2 in 11.0 g of CO2? (M(CO2) = 44.0 g/mol)

A.0.25 mol

B.0.50 mol

C.2.50 mol

D.4.00 mol

Explanation: n = mass / Mr = 11.0 / 44.0 = 0.25 mol.

4How many molecules of water are present in 9.0 g of H2O? (Avogadro = 6.02 x 10^23)

A.3.01 x 10^23

B.6.02 x 10^23

C.1.20 x 10^24

D.5.42 x 10^24

Explanation: n(H2O) = 9.0/18.0 = 0.5 mol. Molecules = 0.5 x 6.02 x 10^23 = 3.01 x 10^23.

5What volume does 0.20 mol of an ideal gas occupy at room temperature and pressure (24 dm^3/mol)?

A.4.8 dm^3

B.2.4 dm^3

C.12 dm^3

D.48 dm^3

Explanation: At RTP, 1 mol of gas occupies 24 dm^3. So 0.20 mol occupies 0.20 x 24 = 4.8 dm^3.

6Using pV = nRT, what is the volume of 0.10 mol of an ideal gas at 300 K and 1.0 x 10^5 Pa? (R = 8.31 J/(K mol))

A.2.49 x 10^-3 m^3

B.2.49 x 10^-2 m^3

C.2.49 x 10^-4 m^3

D.24.9 m^3

Explanation: V = nRT/p = (0.10 x 8.31 x 300) / (1.0 x 10^5) = 249.3 / 100000 = 2.49 x 10^-3 m^3 (which is 2.49 dm^3).

7A compound contains 40.0% C, 6.7% H and 53.3% O by mass. What is its empirical formula?

A.CH2O

B.C2H4O2

C.CH4O

D.C2H6O

Explanation: Divide each % by Ar: C = 40/12 = 3.33; H = 6.7/1 = 6.7; O = 53.3/16 = 3.33. Ratio C:H:O = 3.33:6.7:3.33 = 1:2:1, so CH2O.

8A reaction has a theoretical yield of 50.0 g but produces 38.0 g. What is the percentage yield?

A.76.0%

B.131.6%

C.12.0%

D.24.0%

Explanation: % yield = (actual / theoretical) x 100 = (38.0 / 50.0) x 100 = 76.0%.

925.0 cm^3 of 0.100 mol/dm^3 NaOH is neutralised by 20.0 cm^3 of HCl. What is the concentration of the HCl?

A.0.125 mol/dm^3

B.0.080 mol/dm^3

C.0.200 mol/dm^3

D.0.250 mol/dm^3

Explanation: n(NaOH) = 25.0/1000 x 0.100 = 2.50 x 10^-3 mol. NaOH + HCl react 1:1, so n(HCl) = 2.50 x 10^-3 mol. c(HCl) = 2.50 x 10^-3 / (20.0/1000) = 0.125 mol/dm^3.

10What is the percentage atom economy for the reaction 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O, where water is the desired product? (Mr H2O = 18; H2 = 2; O2 = 32)

A.100%

B.50%

C.75%

D.36%

Explanation: Atom economy = (mass of desired product / total mass of reactants) x 100. Mass of water produced = 2 x 18 = 36. Mass of reactants = 2 x 2 + 32 = 36. Atom economy = 36/36 x 100 = 100%.

About the Cambridge IAL Chemistry Exam

Cambridge International A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701) is assessed through five papers: P1 multiple choice and P2 AS structured at AS level; P3 advanced practical skills, P4 A-Level structured, and P5 planning, analysis and evaluation at A2. The course spans physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry and is examined in May/June and October/November series worldwide.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

P1 1h 15m; P2 1h 15m; P3 2h; P4 2h; P5 1h 15m; about 7h 45m total across 5 papers

Passing Score

Grade E is the minimum pass; A*-E count as passing grades on the A-Level certificate

Exam Fee

Set by exam centre; typical international entry fees £85-£130 per paper (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))

Cambridge IAL Chemistry Exam Content Outline

10%

Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry

Subatomic particles, isotopes, mass spectrometry RAM, mole concept, Avogadro constant, ideal gas pV=nRT, empirical and molecular formulae, percentage yield and atom economy, titration calculations

10%

Atomic structure

s, p, d, f orbitals and shapes, electron configuration including Cr and Cu exceptions, Aufbau/Pauli/Hund, successive ionisation energies, evidence for shells and subshells, periodicity

10%

Chemical bonding

Ionic, covalent and dative bonding, metallic bonding, electronegativity, intermolecular forces (London, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding), bond polarity, VSEPR shapes and bond angles

States of matter

Kinetic theory, ideal vs real gas behaviour, phase diagrams, structures of ionic/covalent/molecular/metallic solids and their properties

10%

Chemical energetics

Enthalpy changes (formation, combustion, neutralisation, atomisation, ionisation, electron affinity, lattice energy), calorimetry, Hess's law, Born-Haber cycles, entropy and Gibbs free energy

Electrochemistry

Redox and oxidation numbers, balanced half-equations, standard electrode potentials and cell EMF, predicting feasibility, electrolysis and Faraday's law, industrial electrolysis (Al, chlor-alkali)

10%

Equilibria

Dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier, Kc and Kp, Ka, Kb, Kw, pH and pOH, buffer solutions, Henderson-Hasselbalch, titration curves and indicators

Reaction kinetics

Rate equations and orders, integrated rate laws, half-life, Arrhenius equation, reaction mechanisms and rate-determining step, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

10%

The Periodic Table and transition elements

Period 3 trends and oxides/chlorides, Group 2 reactivity and solubility, Group 17 halogens (displacement, disproportionation, silver halide tests), transition metal oxidation states, complexes and colour

Nitrogen, sulfur and benzene

Ammonia, Haber process, nitric acid; sulfur, Contact process, sulfuric acid; benzene electrophilic substitution (nitration, halogenation, Friedel-Crafts, sulfonation) and directing effects

15%

Organic chemistry

Isomerism (structural, E/Z, optical), alkanes (free radical), alkenes (electrophilic addition), halogenoalkanes (SN1/SN2/E1/E2), alcohols and phenols, carbonyls, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines, amino acids, proteins, polymers

Analytical techniques

Mass spectrometry (M+ and fragmentation), IR diagnostic regions, 1H and 13C NMR (chemical shift, integration, multiplicity), chromatography (paper, TLC, GC, HPLC), UV-Vis Beer-Lambert

How to Pass the Cambridge IAL Chemistry Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Grade E is the minimum pass; A*-E count as passing grades on the A-Level certificate
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: P1 1h 15m; P2 1h 15m; P3 2h; P4 2h; P5 1h 15m; about 7h 45m total across 5 papers
Exam fee: Set by exam centre; typical international entry fees £85-£130 per paper

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Cambridge IAL Chemistry Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise past 9701 multiple choice papers for P1 — they cover the entire AS syllabus and recurring distractors are common

2Build a notebook of standard mechanisms (SN1/SN2, electrophilic addition, electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic addition) and redraw them weekly

3For P5 planning, memorise the standard structure: variables, control, table headings with units, graph axes, error analysis

4Use the official data booklet during practice so you know exactly which constants are provided and which must be memorised

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cambridge International A-Level Chemistry (9701)?

9701 is the CAIE syllabus for AS and A-Level Chemistry. It is examined through 5 papers covering physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry, with separate practical and planning/analysis papers.

How many papers are in 9701 and what are they?

Five papers: P1 multiple choice (40 questions, 1h 15m), P2 AS structured (60 marks, 1h 15m), P3 advanced practical skills (30 marks, 2h), P4 A-Level structured (100 marks, 2h), P5 planning, analysis and evaluation (30 marks, 1h 15m).

When are 9701 Chemistry exams sat?

Cambridge IAL Chemistry exams are sat in the May/June and October/November series, with a March series also available in India. AS papers can be taken separately one year before the A2 papers.

What calculator and data sheet are allowed in 9701?

A non-programmable scientific calculator is allowed in all papers. A Periodic Table and data sheet (constants, formulae, IR/NMR data) are supplied for the structured papers.

100+ Free Cambridge IAL Chemistry Practice Questions

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