H2 Chemistry Paper 4 Format
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)12 Feb 2025, 00:00 Z
Join our Telegram study groupQ: 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, 50-mark exam.
Exam snapshot Paper 4 | 2 h 30 min | 50 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.
1 Structure Overview
While exact mark allocations may vary, the specimen paper indicates three major segments:
| Component | Approx. marks | Focus |
| Planning | ~15 | Designing an experiment: aim, variables, apparatus, procedure, safety. |
| PDO + ACE | ~20 | Processing, presenting, and analysing data; commenting on accuracy, consistency, evaluation. |
| Qualitative Analysis (QA) | ~15 | Systematic observation, inference, ionic equations for unknown salts/gases. |
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.
