AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1h 2025 Question Pdf

Get the official AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 Higher Tier (8462/1H) question paper from the **19 May 2025 morning exam** — the exact paper used across UK exam centres. This paper is worth **100 marks** and covers atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, quantitative chemistry, electrolysis, acids, and chemical analysis.

The paper begins with atomic structure and the periodic table. *Question 1 (pages 2–4)* includes electronic structure diagrams for sodium, isotope calculations, and explanations of why argon is unreactive due to its full outer electron shell. Students also analyse Mendeleev’s arrangement of tellurium and iodine in the early periodic table.

Bonding and structure are explored in *Question 2 (pages 5–8)*. Students determine the empirical formula of calcium sulfide, explain ionic bonding between calcium and sulfur in terms of electron transfer, and describe the layered giant covalent structure of graphite. The section also compares intermolecular forces in methane and poly(ethene).

Extraction of metals and quantitative chemistry are assessed in *Question 3 (pages 9–11)*. Topics include reduction of tin oxide using carbon, percentage atom economy calculations for cadmium extraction, and conservation of mass calculations involving tungsten oxide and hydrogen. Students also compare the properties of tungsten and potassium as transition and Group 1 metals.

Halogens and reactivity trends appear in *Question 4 (pages 12–14)*. Students interpret melting and boiling point data for Group 7 elements, predict the formula of hydrogen astatide, explain decreasing halogen reactivity down the group, and write a balanced displacement reaction equation for bromine and potassium iodide.

Atomic models and nanoparticles are covered in *Question 5 (pages 15–17)*. Students describe the plum pudding model, explain conclusions from the alpha particle scattering experiment, calculate relative atomic sizes, and determine the surface area-to-volume ratio of a cubic nanoparticle. The section also explores why nanoparticles are used in scratch-resistant coatings.

Electrolysis and extraction of aluminium are tested in *Question 6 (pages 18–19)*. Students explain why aluminium oxide has a very high melting point, identify cryolite as the added substance in the electrolyte mixture, write the half equation for oxygen production, and explain why carbon electrodes must be replaced during electrolysis.

Fuel cells and bonding are examined in *Question 7 (pages 20–22)*. Students evaluate hydrazine versus hydrogen fuel cells using evidence from Table 2, complete dot-and-cross diagrams for hydrazine, and calculate bond energy values using displayed formula equations and bond energy data.

Acids, alkalis, and titrations are explored in *Question 8 (pages 23–26)*. Students improve a titration method, read burette values, calculate sodium hydroxide concentration using sulfuric acid data, and explain why hydrochloric acid has a lower pH than hydrocyanic acid using ionisation percentages.

The final section, *Question 9 (pages 27–28)*, focuses on zinc iodide preparation and percentage yield. Students design a practical method to obtain zinc iodide crystals from zinc and iodine in ethanol and calculate the percentage yield of zinc iodide to 3 significant figures.

Use this paper to practise under real exam conditions, improve calculation skills, and develop extended-response techniques for higher-tier chemistry questions. Pair it with the AQA 8462/1H June 2025 mark scheme for complete exam preparation.

This document is designed for GCSE Chemistry students preparing for the 2026 exam series, particularly Year 11 students studying the AQA 8462 Higher Tier specification, as well as resit candidates and independent learners.

It is also ideal for teachers, tutors, and revision providers who need authentic exam material for mocks, timed assessments, and practical-skills preparation. It supports revision across atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, electrolysis, and acids.