O-Level Combined Science (Chemistry) Paper 5 Practical Guide 2026

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20 Mar 2026, 00:00 Z

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TL;DR
Combined Science (Chemistry) Paper 5 is 1 h 30 min, 30 marks, 15 % of the 5087 or 5088 grade.
The chemistry practical component tests titration, qualitative analysis, rates of reaction, and separation - the same families as pure Chemistry Paper 3, but with a narrower scope and shorter time.
Burette technique is the single biggest differentiator: concordant readings within 0.10 cm³, recorded to 0.05 cm³, is the baseline expectation.

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This guide and the programme page

This article covers the chemistry practical content and technique for Paper 5. For session schedules, venue information, and enrolment, use the O-Level Science (Chemistry) practical programme page.

Not sure whether to take 5087 or 5088? See 5086 vs 5087 vs 5088: Which Combined Science Combination to Choose.

1 | Paper 5 format for Combined Science (Chemistry)

Item	Detail
Paper	Paper 5 (Practical)
Duration	1 h 30 min
Marks	30 marks
Weighting	15 % of combined-science grade
Reference material	Chemistry Practical Notes (QA tables) printed inside the paper; no other notes; approved calculators permitted

	Combined Science Paper 5	Pure Chemistry Paper 3 (6092)
Duration	1 h 30 min	1 h 50 min
Marks	30	40
Weighting	15 %	20 %
Experiment families	Core combined-science chemistry scope	Full seven-family 6092 scope
QA reference material	Provided inside Paper 5	Provided inside Paper 3

Strand	What Paper 5 examiners want to see
Planning (P)	State IV, DV, and at least two controlled variables with units. Describe a realistic method. Flag one hazard with a concrete precaution. Explain how the data answers the question.
MMO	Follow instructions precisely. Record observations with correct colour and quantity descriptions. Measure to instrument resolution.
PDO	Tables with column headers and units. Burette readings recorded to 0.05 cm³. Concordant results clearly identified. Graphs with labelled axes, units, and best-fit line.
ACE	Justify conclusions from data. Identify one limitation with real impact on the result. Suggest one realistic, specific improvement.

Weeks before exam	Focus
12–10	Burette technique and titration precision; first rough + concordant run
9–7	QA cation and anion tests; chromatography and Rf calculation
6–4	Rates of reaction setups; first full Paper 5 simulation (timed)
3–1	Mock Paper 5 under exam conditions; ACE and modification tasks; script review

O-Level Combined Science (Chemistry) Paper 5 Practical Guide 2026

This guide and the programme page

1 | Paper 5 format for Combined Science (Chemistry)

Sources

How Paper 5 differs from pure Chemistry Paper 3

2 | Core chemistry apparatus and techniques for Paper 5

Titration

Qualitative analysis (QA)

Rates of reaction

Separation techniques

3 | The four skill strands in plain English

4 | Top mark losses in the chemistry practical component

5 | Practice QA question

6 | Preparation timeline

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