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100+ Free CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Practice Questions

Pass your CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 (Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Key Facts: CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Exam

45 questions

Paper 1 is 45 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 15 per module

CXC CAPE Chemistry syllabus

1 hour 30 minutes

Time allowed for the 45-question Paper 1 multiple-choice paper

CXC CAPE Chemistry past papers

3 modules

Fundamentals, Kinetics and Equilibria, and Chemistry of the Elements

CXC CAPE Chemistry syllabus

Grades I-VII

CAPE results are reported as overall grades, Grade I being highest

Caribbean Examinations Council

Grades I-V

Range of CAPE grades generally accepted as a pass

Caribbean Examinations Council

2 hours 30 minutes

Duration of the Paper 2 structured and extended-response written paper

CXC CAPE Chemistry past papers

SBA or Paper 3

Practical skills assessed by School-Based Assessment, or Paper 3 for private candidates

CXC CAPE Chemistry syllabus

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 is the first CAPE Chemistry unit, set by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for sixth-form students. It has three modules: Fundamentals in Chemistry, Kinetics and Equilibria, and Chemistry of the Elements. Paper 1 is 45 compulsory multiple-choice questions (15 per module) in 1 hour 30 minutes; Paper 2 is a 2 hour 30 minute written paper; and practical skills are assessed by School-Based Assessment or the alternative Paper 3. There is no single percentage pass mark - results are reported as overall grades I-VII, with Grades I-V accepted as passes. This 100-question bank gives original multiple-choice practice across all three modules with worked explanations.

Sample CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 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 present in a neutral atom of the isotope written as ⁴⁰₂₀Ca?
A.20 protons, 20 neutrons, 20 electrons
B.20 protons, 40 neutrons, 20 electrons
C.40 protons, 20 neutrons, 40 electrons
D.20 protons, 20 neutrons, 18 electrons
Explanation: The atomic number (20) gives the number of protons, and in a neutral atom the number of electrons equals the number of protons. The mass number (40) minus the atomic number (40 − 20) gives 20 neutrons.
2What is the ground-state electron configuration of a chromium atom (Z = 24)?
A.1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁴ 4s²
B.1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵ 4s¹
C.1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 4p⁴
D.1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁶
Explanation: Chromium is an exception to the simple filling order: one 4s electron is promoted to 3d to give a more stable half-filled 3d⁵ 4s¹ arrangement. This extra stability of a half-filled d sub-shell lowers the energy.
3Which statement best explains why the first ionisation energy of aluminium is lower than that of magnesium?
A.Aluminium has a smaller nuclear charge than magnesium
B.The outer electron removed from aluminium is in a 3p orbital, which is higher in energy than the 3s orbital of magnesium
C.Aluminium has a complete outer shell
D.Magnesium has more shielding than aluminium
Explanation: Magnesium loses a 3s electron, while aluminium loses a 3p electron. The 3p orbital is slightly higher in energy and better shielded by the 3s electrons, so less energy is needed to remove aluminium's outer electron despite its larger nuclear charge.
4Which type of bonding holds the particles together in solid sodium chloride?
A.Covalent bonding
B.Metallic bonding
C.Ionic bonding
D.Hydrogen bonding
Explanation: Sodium chloride consists of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions held in a giant lattice by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions. This is ionic bonding, which gives NaCl its high melting point and electrical conductivity when molten.
5According to VSEPR theory, what is the shape of a molecule of ammonia, NH₃?
A.Trigonal planar
B.Trigonal pyramidal
C.Tetrahedral
D.Bent
Explanation: Nitrogen in NH₃ has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, giving four electron domains arranged roughly tetrahedrally. Because one position is a lone pair, the molecular shape is trigonal pyramidal, with a bond angle of about 107°.
6Which of the following substances can form hydrogen bonds between its molecules?
A.CH₄
B.HF
C.CO₂
D.Cl₂
Explanation: Hydrogen bonding occurs when hydrogen is bonded directly to a highly electronegative atom (N, O or F). In HF, hydrogen is bonded to fluorine, so HF molecules form hydrogen bonds, giving it an unusually high boiling point for its size.
7How many moles of oxygen atoms are present in 0.50 mol of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄?
A.0.50 mol
B.1.0 mol
C.2.0 mol
D.4.0 mol
Explanation: Each formula unit of H₂SO₄ contains 4 oxygen atoms. Therefore 0.50 mol of H₂SO₄ contains 0.50 × 4 = 2.0 mol of oxygen atoms.
8A compound contains 40.0% carbon, 6.7% hydrogen and 53.3% oxygen by mass. What is its empirical formula? (Ar: C = 12, H = 1, O = 16)
A.CHO
B.CH₂O
C.C₂H₄O
D.CH₄O
Explanation: Divide each percentage by the relative atomic mass: C = 40.0/12 = 3.33, H = 6.7/1 = 6.7, O = 53.3/16 = 3.33. Dividing through by the smallest (3.33) gives a ratio C:H:O of 1:2:1, so the empirical formula is CH₂O.
9What volume of carbon dioxide gas, measured at standard temperature and pressure (molar gas volume = 22.4 dm³ mol⁻¹), is produced when 5.0 g of calcium carbonate decomposes completely? (Mr CaCO₃ = 100)
A.0.56 dm³
B.1.12 dm³
C.2.24 dm³
D.11.2 dm³
Explanation: Moles of CaCO₃ = 5.0/100 = 0.050 mol. The equation CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂ gives 1 mol CO₂ per mol CaCO₃, so 0.050 mol CO₂ is produced. Volume = 0.050 × 22.4 = 1.12 dm³.
10What is the concentration, in mol dm⁻³, of a solution made by dissolving 4.0 g of sodium hydroxide in water and making the volume up to 250 cm³? (Mr NaOH = 40)
A.0.10 mol dm⁻³
B.0.20 mol dm⁻³
C.0.40 mol dm⁻³
D.0.50 mol dm⁻³
Explanation: Moles of NaOH = 4.0/40 = 0.10 mol. The volume is 250 cm³ = 0.250 dm³. Concentration = 0.10/0.250 = 0.40 mol dm⁻³.

About the CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Exam

CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 is the first of two units in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Chemistry programme, taken mainly by sixth-form students across the Caribbean. Unit 1 is organised into three modules: Module 1 (Fundamentals in Chemistry) covers atomic structure, bonding, the mole concept, redox and energetics; Module 2 (Kinetics and Equilibria) covers reaction rates, chemical and acid-base equilibria, pH, buffers and titrations; and Module 3 (Chemistry of the Elements) covers periodicity and the chemistry of Period 3 and selected groups. Assessment is by Paper 1 (45 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 15 per module, in 1 hour 30 minutes), Paper 2 (structured and free-response written questions), and a practical component assessed through School-Based Assessment or the alternative Paper 3 for private candidates. Results are reported as overall grades I-VII.

Assessment

Paper 1: 45 compulsory multiple-choice questions (15 per module). Paper 2: structured and extended-response written questions. Practical skills assessed by School-Based Assessment, or by the alternative Paper 3 for private candidates.

Time Limit

Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes. Paper 2: 2 hours 30 minutes. Alternative practical Paper 3 (private candidates): about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Passing Score

No single percentage pass mark. CAPE reports overall grades I-VII (Grade I highest) from the combined papers; Grades I-V are accepted as passes by most institutions.

Exam Fee

CXC registration fees vary by territory and are billed in local currency through schools or local registrars; private candidates pay an additional entry fee. Confirm current fees with your local registrar or Ministry of Education. (Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC))

CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Exam Content Outline

33%

Module 1: Fundamentals in Chemistry

Official syllabus: atomic structure and the periodic table, forces of attraction and chemical bonding, the mole concept and stoichiometry, redox reactions, kinetic theory, and energetics. Practice here covers electron configuration, ionisation energy, ionic/covalent/metallic/hydrogen bonding, shapes of molecules, empirical and molecular formulae, mole and concentration calculations, oxidation numbers, and enthalpy changes including Hess's law and Born-Haber cycles.

33%

Module 2: Kinetics and Equilibria

Official syllabus: reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium and acid-base equilibria. Practice here covers rate of reaction, rate equations and order, activation energy and catalysis, the equilibrium constants Kc and Kp, Le Chatelier's principle, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis acids and bases, pH, Ka, Kw, buffers, indicators, titration curves and solubility/partition equilibria.

33%

Module 3: Chemistry of the Elements

Official syllabus: periodicity and the chemistry of selected groups and periods. Practice here covers periodic trends in Period 3, the oxides and chlorides of Period 3 elements, Group II (alkaline-earth) and Group VII (halogen) chemistry, the chemistry of Group IV elements and their oxides, and trends in physical and chemical properties across periods and down groups.

How to Pass the CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No single percentage pass mark. CAPE reports overall grades I-VII (Grade I highest) from the combined papers; Grades I-V are accepted as passes by most institutions.
  • Assessment: Paper 1: 45 compulsory multiple-choice questions (15 per module). Paper 2: structured and extended-response written questions. Practical skills assessed by School-Based Assessment, or by the alternative Paper 3 for private candidates.
  • Time limit: Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes. Paper 2: 2 hours 30 minutes. Alternative practical Paper 3 (private candidates): about 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Exam fee: CXC registration fees vary by territory and are billed in local currency through schools or local registrars; private candidates pay an additional entry fee. Confirm current fees with your local registrar or Ministry of Education.

Keys to Passing

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

CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Split your revision by module - Fundamentals, Kinetics and Equilibria, and Chemistry of the Elements - since Paper 1 draws exactly 15 questions from each, so weak coverage of any one module costs a third of the paper.
2Drill mole and concentration calculations until they are automatic; many Module 1 multiple-choice questions hinge on converting between mass, moles, concentration and gas volume under exam time pressure.
3Learn to read titration and pH curves quickly: identify the equivalence point, the buffer region and the indicator range, because Module 2 questions often test these at a glance.
4Memorise the key periodic trends for Period 3 (oxides, chlorides, bonding type and acid-base nature) so Module 3 questions about element properties become recall rather than reasoning.
5Practise Le Chatelier predictions by writing the equation, noting moles of gas and the sign of the enthalpy change, then deciding how pressure, temperature or concentration shifts the position of equilibrium.
6Time yourself at about two minutes per question on Paper 1, flag hard items, and return to them - all 45 questions carry equal marks, so easy marks should never be lost to a single tricky calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 Paper 1?

Paper 1 has 45 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 15 drawn from each of the three modules, answered in 1 hour 30 minutes. Each question has four options.

What are the three modules in CAPE Chemistry Unit 1?

Module 1 is Fundamentals in Chemistry, Module 2 is Kinetics and Equilibria, and Module 3 is Chemistry of the Elements. All three are tested on Paper 1, Paper 2 and the practical component.

Is there a fixed pass mark for CAPE Chemistry?

No. CAPE reports an overall grade from I to VII (Grade I highest) based on the combined papers. Grades I to V are accepted as passes by most universities and employers.

How is the practical component assessed?

School candidates are assessed through School-Based Assessment (SBA) of practical skills throughout the year. Private candidates who cannot do SBA sit the alternative practical Paper 3 instead.

How long is the CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 examination?

Paper 1 (multiple choice) lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and Paper 2 (written) lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. The alternative practical Paper 3 for private candidates is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Are these official CXC past-paper questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions modelled on the Unit 1 syllabus and Paper 1 format. CXC sells official past papers and study guides separately through the CXC Store.