2. OCR Revision Guides

OCR Revision Guides

New A-level 2015

The revision guides are split into six modules. The first module is practical work and I have written no guides for that.

Practical Guide OCR (updated February 2021)

Module 2

2.1.1 2.1.2 Atomic structure (updated February 2021)

2.1.3 amount of substance (updated January 2022 )

2.1.4 acids (updated November 2018)

2.1.5 redox

2.2.1 Electronic Structure

2.2.2 Bonding and Structure (updated January 2022 )

Module 3

3.1.1 periodicity (updated November 2018)

3.1.2 Group 2 (updated November 2018)

3.1.3 halogens(updated November 2018)

3.1.4 Qualitative analysis(updated November 2018)

3.2.1 enthalpy changes (updated March 2019)

3.2.2 reaction rates (updated November 2018)

3.2.3 equilibrium (updated January 2022 )

Module 4

4.1.1 revision guides basic concepts and hydrocarbons (updated February 2021)

4.1.2 revision guide alkanes (updated November 2018)

4.1.3 revision guides alkenes (updated November 2018)

4.2.1 revision guide alcohols (updated February 2021)

4.2.2 revision guide haloalkanes (updated February 2021)

4.2.3 organic synthesis (updated February 2021)

4.2.4 revision guide analytical techniques (updated November 2018)

Module 5

5.1.1 revision guide how fast (updated January 2022 )

5.1.2 revision guide how far (updated January 2022 )

5.1.3 revision guide acids bases and buffers (updated January 2022 )

5.2.1 + 5.2.2 revision guide energy (updated November 2018)

5.2.3 revision guide redox and electrode potentials (updated January 2022 )

5.3.1 revision guide transition metals (updated February 2021)

5.3.2 revision guide Qualitative analysis (updated November 2018)

Module 6

6.1.1 revision guide aromatic compounds (updated February 2021)

6.1.2 revision guide carbonyls(updated December 2019)

6.1.3 revision guide carboxylic acids and esters(updated November 2018)

6.2.1 revision guide amines (updated February 2021)

6.2.2 revision guides amino acids amides (updated February 2021)

6.2.3 revision guides polyesters and polyamides (updated February 2018)

6.2.4 revision guide carbon carbon bond formation (updated November 2018)

6.2.5 revision guides organic synthesis(updated November 2018)

6.3.1 revision guide chromatography and analysis(updated February 2018)

6.3.2 revision guide spectroscopy (updated February 2021)

69 thoughts on “2. OCR Revision Guides”

  1. Nimo

    This is the most useful chemistry site i’ve seen so far. Its so detailed and informative and gives you nothing more or less than is required to be known for the exam compared to other textbooks. I’ve recently struggled with my chemistry teacher and worried that the lack of informative classes would reflect on my results but this website has kept me on track. Thank you.

    Reply ↓

  2. Pingback: A List of Chemistry Revision Websites

  3. Adil

    For the Group 2 revision guide when you say “The same effect will happen to a lesser extent
    with metals going up the group as the solubility increases.” Doesn’t the solubility increase as you go down the group?

    Reply ↓
  4. Rana

    I’m currently resitting my Alevel chemistry and have almost forgotten all the content but thanks to your notes I’m feeling more prepared for the exams by the day. Thank you so much, all the notes are extremely useful

    Reply ↓
  5. Meera Murali

    Hi Sir, you used to teach me chemistry back when I used to go Bancroft’s before sixth form, and now I’m very stuck on OCR Paper 3, because despite knowing most of the content pretty well, I find it hard to spot “synoptic links”
    These revision notes have been a godsend for learning the content, but I think I’m mainly stuck on exam technique, what would you recommend??
    Thanks,

    Kind regards,

    Meera

    Reply ↓
    1. chemrevise Post author

      Hi Meera, Good to hear from you. OCR paper 3 was a difficult paper. There is no substitute for doing as many past paper questions as you can and repeatedly reading notes so you know the syllabus inside out. Then when you come across an unusual question you have the confidence to know it must be an application of something you know and not to start making up chemistry. For example on the OCR paper 3 in the question about thiols you have to keep relating it back to your knowledge of alcohols.

      Reply ↓
      1. dablaze1999

        Ah, I see, that’s what I’ve been trying to do, but one of the later questions on 2017 paper 3 just stressed me out so much, it managed to combine transition metals with organic synthesis, and just knowing the colours off by heart didn’t help under timed conditions. Do you know if there are any useful websites with past topic questions that’s relevant to OCR A for the new spec? I just don’t want to learn something that’s not on this spec when I could be consolidating topics that are likely to come up.
        Like I’ve memorized anything there is to memorize through flash card and mindmaps, which proved helpful for paper 1 and paper 2, but paper 3 is definitely my weakness, so I’m just getting pretty stressed trying to do as much revision as possible.
        I need at least an A in chemistry, but, being my favourite subject, an A* would be so satisfying. 🙂
        Thanks for replying, sir.
        Kind regards,

        Meera

      2. chemrevise Post author

        What they are trying to do is create questions that are unusual that can’t be answered from looking at previous past papers and memorising mark schemes. That said looking at similar questions will help get you used to the type of thinking required. Old OCR papers should be useful. You can also look on AQA and EDexcel papers for the new syllabus. There is not that much difference between syllabi now.

      3. dablaze1999

        Okay sir, thanks so much, I shall do that within study leave, and see if it helps me get to grips with paper 3

  6. Adam

    Hey chem revise do you have a guide on how to approach the common types of calculation questions (and or types of calculations that could come up in the exam)? I’ve noticed that the ocr a exam board are including a lot more challenging calculation questions which require a lot more steps then the old spec exams. I’m finding them difficult to answer – I did the 2017 papers in class and scored badly on the complex calculation questions in paper 1. I was wondering if you have any particular resources/advice that could help me with this problem.

    Thank you,

    Kind Regards
    Adam

    Reply ↓
      1. Adam

        OMG the questions in the textbook are amazing. I only had brief look atm but I’ve spotted some ques that actually came up in the 2017 exam paper 😀 eg. There’s a question in the shapes of molecules guide which asks to draw AlH4- this was a tricky question that came up in paper 1. Thank you so much sir looking forward to using them in my studies!

  8. i love chemrevise

    I’d just like to say thank you for making these revision guides. It has saved a lot of time in my revision and I like how it cuts straight to the point. It’s easy to read and understand.

    Reply ↓
  13. Mahdi

    Hi what would you recommend in terms of past papers or questions. Not sure if I should do the old ones or what really

    Reply ↓
  17. manesha

    hello sir.. this year I am sitting for June a level exam 2016 for the bnew syllabus I have some queries for the notes given it has solved my confusion in certain point in chemistry but in this revision notes apply for Cambridge international exam… I am in a confusion

    Reply ↓
  19. sophie

    when will the revision notes for the new 2015 specification of OCR A chemistry be up. How different is the new OCR A specification compared to the old one. Thank you for producing these notes they are really helpful and i am able to grasp and understand things more better. all due to the fantastic notes you have produced.

    Reply ↓
      1. qwerty

        What differences are there specifically from the old and new spec? Also, are there many differences between ocr and AQA? Thanks, your revision guides are very good

      2. Biochemist

        Hello, thank you sir for your help. Can you please send me the link for OCR A Chemistry starting from Sept 2015. thank you

  23. amisri786

    Hi thank you so much – extremely helpful!!
    Will you be doing notes for the new OCR September 2015 spec ?
    Thank you very very much :)))))

    Reply ↓
  26. somar2

    Hi, your notes are fab, thanks so much. However, for the f322 module 4, in the equation about ozone depletion, it says CLO.(dot for radical) + O.

    Surely only one of them can be a radical? Thanks again, you are amazing!!!

    Reply ↓
    1. chemrevise Post author

      I think I am right with the dots (in that all the substances written with them are radicals) but OCR don’t require you to write any dots with the equation.s.

      Reply ↓
  30. ahmed

    i want to donate some money perhaps. these notes are outstanding. i have done similar notes on OCR A which took me a year to make them because i was making sure to get all answers from mark scheme and then use them in my notes.

    Reply ↓
    1. chemrevise Post author

      No I have not done notes for the OCR B. A lot of the chemistry is similar to OCR A but the structure of the course is very different. There is some content unique to OCR B

      Reply ↓
  36. saif

    fantastic notes at last I found some very good notes for A-level chemistry….do recommend to any A- level student….
    Thanks a lot…

    Reply ↓

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