H2 Chemistry Paper 4 Format

Q: What does H2 Chemistry Paper 4 Format cover?
A: Get a detailed look at the 2026 H2 Chemistry Paper 4 practical paper-its planning, PDO/ACE, and qualitative analysis components-and learn how to train for the two-and-a-half-hour, 55-mark exam.

Exam snapshot Paper 4 | 2 h 30 min | 55 marks | 20 % of the overall H2 Chemistry grade

Paper 4 assesses laboratory planning, data handling, evaluation, and qualitative analysis. The 2026 specimen paper mirrors the new emphasis on spreadsheet-style processing and clear communication of uncertainty. Advance preparation-both in the lab and on paper-is key to scoring consistently.

Status: SEAB H2 Chemistry (9729, first exam 2026) syllabus last checked 2025-11-29 (PDF last modified 2024-07-17). Paper 4 stays at 2 h 30 min, 55 marks, weighting 20 %, with Planning at 5 % and MMO/PDO/ACE at 15 % combined; the 9476/04 specimen remains a 50-mark practice paper.

1 Structure Overview

• Scheme of assessment (SEAB 9729): 2 h 30 min, 55 marks; Planning carries five percent, MMO/PDO/ACE carry fifteen percent combined. Scope covers titration, gravimetric work, gas collection, thermochemistry, kinetics, qualitative analysis, and simple organic synthesis/purification.
• Specimen pattern: The 2026 specimen paper (9476/04) totals 50 marks and still groups tasks into planning, data processing/evaluation, and qualitative analysis; it’s useful for practice even though the live paper will carry 55 marks under the 9729 scheme.
• Qualitative analysis notes (tests and expected results) are printed at the back of the Paper 4 booklet for reference.

2 Timing & Workflow

• Total time: 150 minutes.
• Suggested pacing: Planning (35–40 min) → PDO/ACE experiments and write-up (75–80 min) → QA table & discussion (30–35 min) → 5 minutes to review data tables, units, and conclusions.
• Equipment: Expect standard titration, calorimetry, or kinetics setups plus reagents for qualitative tests. Calculators and graph paper (or grid space) provided; data booklet remains available.

3 What Examiners Look For

3.1 Planning

• Clear aim linked to the given problem statement.
• Identification of key variables (independent, dependent, controlled) with practical control strategies.
• Detailed, logical procedure with labelled apparatus (diagrams where appropriate).
• Safety considerations relevant to reagents (e.g., corrosive acids, oxidisers) and waste disposal.
• Expected results/processing (e.g., “plot ln A vs time to obtain gradient -k”).