WJECGCSE47 resourcesFoundation & Higher

WJEC GCSE Chemistry Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free WJEC GCSE Chemistry past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Foundation & Higher tiers. Chemical reactions, bonding and organic chemistry. 47 resources.

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47 of 47 resources

Summer 2023

14 files
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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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Summer 2022

12 files
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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper
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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Fcont: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Hcont: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation and Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation and Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 contingency: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation and Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

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Summer 2019

12 files
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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Mark Scheme – Summer 2019

Mark Scheme
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✅

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Mark Scheme – Summer 2019

Mark Scheme
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation [ Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [ Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper
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📋

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2019

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Summer 2018

6 files
✅

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2018

Mark Scheme
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✅

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2018

Mark Scheme
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Foundation: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2018

Past Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2018

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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2018

Past Paper
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📄

GCSE Chemistry – Unit 2 Higher: Written: Chemical Bonding, Reactions & Organic Chemistry Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2018

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Summer 2017

3 files
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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Mark Scheme – Summer 2017

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Foundation: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2017

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GCSE Chemistry – Unit 1 Higher: Written: Chemical Substances, Reactions & Resources Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2017

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Separate Chemistry GCSE with Emphasis on Practical Skills and Quantitative Analysis

WJEC GCSE Chemistry is the single-award route for students pursuing separate science GCSEs in Wales. It is assessed through two tiered written papers: Unit 1 (Chemical Substances, Reactions and Essential Resources, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50%) and Unit 2 (Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Organic Chemistry, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50%). Foundation tier covers grades G–D and Higher tier covers grades D–A*. Unit 1 focuses on the fundamentals: atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic), types of chemical reactions, acids and bases, water treatment, and Earth's resources. Unit 2 moves into more advanced territory: rates of reaction, equilibrium (Higher tier only), energy changes in reactions, electrochemistry, organic chemistry (crude oil, polymers, alcohols, carboxylic acids), and analytical techniques. At least 10% of marks assess mathematical skills — mole calculations, percentage yield, rate calculations from graphs, and balancing equations. At least 15% assess knowledge of practical methods through questions based on specified practicals: preparing soluble and insoluble salts, electrolysis, measuring rates of reaction, and chromatography. The WJEC Chemistry specification emphasises how chemistry underpins industry and environmental issues, particularly relevant to Wales's industrial heritage and current challenges around energy and sustainability. This archive contains 47 resources from Summer 2017 to Summer 2023.

Exam Paper Structure

Unit 1Calculator ✓

Chemical Substances, Reactions and Essential Resources

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 marks📊 50% of grade
Atomic structure and the periodic tableChemical bondingChemical reactionsAcids, bases and saltsWater and resources
Unit 2Calculator ✓

Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Organic Chemistry

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 marks📊 50% of grade
Rates of reactionEnergy changesElectrochemistryOrganic chemistryAnalytical techniques

Key Information

Exam BoardWJEC
QualificationGCSE
Grading ScaleA*–G
Assessment Type2 written papers
TiersFoundation (G–D) and Higher (D–A*)
Unit 11 hr 45 min — Chemical Substances, Reactions and Essential Resources (50%)
Unit 21 hr 45 min — Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Organic Chemistry (50%)
Maths RequirementMinimum 10% of marks test mathematical skills
Available SessionsSummer 2017 – Summer 2023
Total Resources47

Key Topics in Chemistry

Topics you need to know

Atomic structure and periodic table trendsIonic, covalent and metallic bondingChemical equations and calculationsAcids, bases and neutralisationRates of reaction and equilibriumOrganic chemistry and polymersPractical skills and analysis

Exam Command Words

Command wordWhat the examiner expects
StateGive a brief, factual answer — no explanation required
ExplainGive reasons using chemical knowledge — link observations to underlying chemical principles
CalculateUse mathematical operations to find the answer, showing all working and including correct units
PredictUse patterns in data or chemical knowledge to suggest what will happen in a given situation
DescribeGive a detailed account of what happens during a chemical process or practical procedure
SuggestApply chemical knowledge to an unfamiliar context — there may be more than one valid answer

Typical Grade Boundaries

GradeApproximate mark needed
Grade A*74–84%
Grade A62–73%
Grade B50–61%
Grade C38–49%
Grade D26–37%

⚠️ Typical Higher tier boundaries. Actual boundaries vary by series — check WJEC website.

Balancing Equations Fluently and Mastering Mole Calculations at Higher Tier

Balancing chemical equations is tested in almost every WJEC Chemistry paper and is a skill that must become automatic. Start by counting atoms on each side, adjust coefficients for the most complex molecule first, and leave single elements until last. Practise with increasingly complex equations until you can balance most in under 60 seconds. State symbols (s, l, g, aq) are required in many WJEC questions and forgetting them is a common one-mark error. Mole calculations at Higher tier follow a systematic approach. Learn the triangle: moles = mass ÷ relative formula mass. Then extend to concentration calculations: moles = concentration × volume (in dm³). Build calculation chains — the examiner expects to see each step written out. For example, to find the mass of product from a given mass of reactant: find moles of reactant → use the balanced equation ratio to find moles of product → convert moles of product to mass. For rate of reaction questions, remember WJEC frequently tests both the qualitative explanations (collision theory, activation energy) and the quantitative analysis (calculating gradient of a curve, reading half-life from a graph). Practise drawing tangents to curves and calculating gradients — this is a mathematical skill that directly earns chemistry marks. Organic chemistry naming and functional groups are tested systematically. Learn the homologous series (alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids) and practise drawing structural formulae. WJEC mark schemes require structural formulae, not just molecular formulae — drawing CH₃CH₂OH rather than just C₂H₅OH demonstrates understanding of molecular structure.

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