A-Level H2 Chemistry Syllabus (2026-2027)

Preparing for H2 Chemistry under the 9729 syllabus demands a balanced approach across physical, inorganic, and organic strands, plus consistent exposure to investigative skills assessed in Papers 3 and 4. Use this guide to align your study schedule with SEAB's expectations and flag the laboratory competencies that need hands-on rehearsal.

Exam Format at a Glance

Key takeaway: Papers 2 and 3 contribute 65 % of the grade, but Paper 4 remains the differentiator for Distinction candidates. Build equivalent routines for written and practical skills.

Core Topic Map

Physical Chemistry

• Atomic structure & periodicity — focus on electron configurations, periodic trends, and spectroscopy evidence.
• Energetics — calculate enthalpy changes, apply Hess' Law, and evaluate Born-Haber cycles.
• Kinetics — master rate-equation determination, Arrhenius analysis, and experimental design for rate investigations.
• Equilibria — interconvert \(K_c\), \(K_p\), and pH metrics; analyse buffer behaviour and titration curves.
• Electrochemistry — predict cell potentials, balance redox equations, and link standard potentials to feasibility.

Inorganic Chemistry

• Group 2 and Group 17 chemistry — compare thermal stability, solubility, and reactivity trends.
• Transition elements — ligand substitution, crystal field theory, colour trends, and redox titrations.
• Period 3 oxides and chlorides — deduce structure-property relationships and acid-base behaviour.

Organic Chemistry

• Structure and isomerism — stereochemistry, conformational analysis, and spectroscopy fingerprints.
• Reaction mechanisms — nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, elimination, and carbonyl chemistry (nucleophilic addition and acyl derivatives).
• Aromatic chemistry — directing effects, electrophilic substitution, and synthesis planning.
• Carbonyl compounds — enolate chemistry, condensation reactions, and redox conversions.
• Nitrogen compounds & polymers — amines, amides, amino acids, peptide bonds, and polymer classifications.

Practical Skill Expectations

Paper 4 rewards students who can:

1. Design investigations — articulate aim, variables, and justified procedures.
2. Handle data — tabulate raw measurements, process uncertainties, and compute gradients from best-fit lines.
3. Evaluate methods — identify limitations and propose realistic improvements.
4. Link theory to experiment — explain observations using bonding, energetics, or kinetics principles.

Schedule at least one full-length practical dry-run each term. Pair physical sessions with spreadsheet-based data treatment to mirror exam conditions.

Weekly Study Structure

This cadence keeps physical, inorganic, organic, and practical strands progressing in parallel, reducing panic before major assessments.

Recommended Resources

• SEAB 9729 syllabus — confirm learning outcomes and command terms.
• JC lecture notes & tutorials — anchor revision in your school's sequence to stay aligned with internal assessments.
• IUPAC Gold Book & ChemGuide — clarify definitions and mechanistic rationales beyond textbook summaries.
• Past practical booklets — rehearse titration, qualitative analysis, and planning questions with marking schemes.

Action Plan

1. Map your school's topic order against the core map above; highlight upcoming practical assessments.
2. Build a shared tracker for Paper 2/3 question types attempted each week (calculation, mechanism, qualitative discussion).
3. Partner with classmates for peer teaching sessions; rotate who explains a concept each week to reinforce depth of understanding.
4. Engage your tutor early on equilibrium, redox, or spectroscopy weak spots so reinforcement happens before WA exams.

Consistent execution of this plan keeps H2 Chemistry manageable—even with overlapping CCA or competition commitments. Use the structure here with our hub resources on https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/h2-chemistry-notes for targeted drill packs and upcoming practical clinics.