l/
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number A-level
Surname
CHEMISTRY
Forename(s) 7405/3
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
Paper 3
A-level
Mark scheme
June 2026
CHEMISTRY Version: 1.0 Final
Paper 3
Monday 15 June 2026 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• the Periodic Table/Data Booklet, provided as an insert (enclosed) Question Mark
• a ruler with millimetre measurements 1
• a scientific calculator, which you are expected to use where appropriate.
2
Instructions 3
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 4
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
5
• Answer all questions.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside 6
the box around each page or on blank pages. Section B
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). TOTAL
• All working must be shown.
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not
want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 90.
Advice
• You are advised to spend 70 minutes on Section A and 50 minutes on Section B.
*JUN *
IB/M/Jun26/G4005/E9 7405/3
, 2
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
Answer all questions in this section.
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
0 1 This question is about the laboratory preparation of aspirin.
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
Aspirin is made by reacting 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with ethanoic anhydride.
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
Concentrated phosphoric acid is used as the catalyst.
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
0 1 . 1 Draw the displayed formula for ethanoic anhydride.
[1 mark] No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
retains the on all its publications. However, re ed schools/colleges for are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
own interna the following important exception: cannot give permission hools/colleges to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the e.
and its licensors. All rights reserved.
*02*
2
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
, 3
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 2 The reaction mixture is heated in the apparatus shown in Figure 1. box
Figure 1 AS and A-Level Chemistry
Mark Scheme Instructions for Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what
is acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area
in which a mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information in the ‘Comments’ column is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-
hand part of the mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
You should mark according to the contents of the mark scheme. If you are in any doubt about
applying the mark scheme to a particular response, consult your Team Leader.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where
consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the
diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which
might confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is
straightforward and consistent.
The use of M1, M2, M3 etc in the right-hand column refers to the marking points in the order in
which they appear in the mark scheme. So, M1 refers to the first marking point, M2 the second
marking point etc.
State why the water should flow through the condenser from the bottom to the top and
not the other way round.
[1 mark] 2. Emboldening
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is
used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a
potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the
mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of OR. Different terms
in the mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.
0 1 . 3 State why the top of the condenser in Figure 1 should be open, with no bung or
thermometer. 3. Marking points
[1 mark]
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students
have provided extra responses. The general ‘List’ principle to be followed in such a
situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of error /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no
marks can be awarded.
Question 1 continues on the next page However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the mark
scheme) are not penalised.
Turn over ►
*03*
3
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
, 4
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Impure aspirin is separated from the reaction mixture. box
The aspirin is then purified by recrystallisation using water as the solvent.
For example, in a question requiring 2 answers for 2 marks:
State, in terms of the solubility of aspirin, why water is a suitable solvent for this
recrystallisation.
Incorrect
[1 mark]
Correct answers (i.e.
Mark (2) Comment
answers incorrect rather
than neutral)
1 0 1
They have not exceeded the maximum
1 1 1 number of responses so there is no
penalty.
They have exceeded the maximum number
1 2 0 of responses so the extra incorrect
response cancels the correct one.
0 1 . 5 State how insoluble impurities and soluble impurities are removed during
recrystallisation. 2 0 2
[2 marks] 2 1 1
Insoluble impurities 2 2 0
3 0 2 The maximum mark is 2
The incorrect response cancels out one of
Soluble impurities 3 1 1 the two correct responses that gained
credit.
Two incorrect responses cancel out the two
3 2 0
marks gained.
3 3 0
3.2 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working
shown, unless the question states ‘Show your working’ or ‘justify your answer’. In this
case, the mark scheme will clearly indicate what is required to gain full credit.
If an answer to a calculation is incorrect and working is shown, process mark(s) can
usually be gained by correct substitution / working and this is shown in the ‘Comments’
column or by each stage of a longer calculation.
3.3 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors
Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to calculation
questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ECF or consequential in the marking
scheme.
An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in
the marking scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an
incorrect transfer of a numerical value from data given in a question.
3.4 Equations
In questions requiring students to write equations, state symbols are generally ignored
unless otherwise stated in the ‘Comments’ column.
*04*
4
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number A-level
Surname
CHEMISTRY
Forename(s) 7405/3
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
Paper 3
A-level
Mark scheme
June 2026
CHEMISTRY Version: 1.0 Final
Paper 3
Monday 15 June 2026 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• the Periodic Table/Data Booklet, provided as an insert (enclosed) Question Mark
• a ruler with millimetre measurements 1
• a scientific calculator, which you are expected to use where appropriate.
2
Instructions 3
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 4
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
5
• Answer all questions.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside 6
the box around each page or on blank pages. Section B
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). TOTAL
• All working must be shown.
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not
want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 90.
Advice
• You are advised to spend 70 minutes on Section A and 50 minutes on Section B.
*JUN *
IB/M/Jun26/G4005/E9 7405/3
, 2
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
Answer all questions in this section.
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
0 1 This question is about the laboratory preparation of aspirin.
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
Aspirin is made by reacting 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with ethanoic anhydride.
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
Concentrated phosphoric acid is used as the catalyst.
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
0 1 . 1 Draw the displayed formula for ethanoic anhydride.
[1 mark] No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
retains the on all its publications. However, re ed schools/colleges for are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
own interna the following important exception: cannot give permission hools/colleges to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the e.
and its licensors. All rights reserved.
*02*
2
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
, 3
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 2 The reaction mixture is heated in the apparatus shown in Figure 1. box
Figure 1 AS and A-Level Chemistry
Mark Scheme Instructions for Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what
is acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area
in which a mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information in the ‘Comments’ column is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-
hand part of the mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
You should mark according to the contents of the mark scheme. If you are in any doubt about
applying the mark scheme to a particular response, consult your Team Leader.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where
consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the
diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which
might confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is
straightforward and consistent.
The use of M1, M2, M3 etc in the right-hand column refers to the marking points in the order in
which they appear in the mark scheme. So, M1 refers to the first marking point, M2 the second
marking point etc.
State why the water should flow through the condenser from the bottom to the top and
not the other way round.
[1 mark] 2. Emboldening
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is
used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a
potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the
mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of OR. Different terms
in the mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.
0 1 . 3 State why the top of the condenser in Figure 1 should be open, with no bung or
thermometer. 3. Marking points
[1 mark]
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students
have provided extra responses. The general ‘List’ principle to be followed in such a
situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of error /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no
marks can be awarded.
Question 1 continues on the next page However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the mark
scheme) are not penalised.
Turn over ►
*03*
3
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
, 4
MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY – 7405/3 – JUNE 2026
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Impure aspirin is separated from the reaction mixture. box
The aspirin is then purified by recrystallisation using water as the solvent.
For example, in a question requiring 2 answers for 2 marks:
State, in terms of the solubility of aspirin, why water is a suitable solvent for this
recrystallisation.
Incorrect
[1 mark]
Correct answers (i.e.
Mark (2) Comment
answers incorrect rather
than neutral)
1 0 1
They have not exceeded the maximum
1 1 1 number of responses so there is no
penalty.
They have exceeded the maximum number
1 2 0 of responses so the extra incorrect
response cancels the correct one.
0 1 . 5 State how insoluble impurities and soluble impurities are removed during
recrystallisation. 2 0 2
[2 marks] 2 1 1
Insoluble impurities 2 2 0
3 0 2 The maximum mark is 2
The incorrect response cancels out one of
Soluble impurities 3 1 1 the two correct responses that gained
credit.
Two incorrect responses cancel out the two
3 2 0
marks gained.
3 3 0
3.2 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working
shown, unless the question states ‘Show your working’ or ‘justify your answer’. In this
case, the mark scheme will clearly indicate what is required to gain full credit.
If an answer to a calculation is incorrect and working is shown, process mark(s) can
usually be gained by correct substitution / working and this is shown in the ‘Comments’
column or by each stage of a longer calculation.
3.3 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors
Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to calculation
questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ECF or consequential in the marking
scheme.
An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in
the marking scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an
incorrect transfer of a numerical value from data given in a question.
3.4 Equations
In questions requiring students to write equations, state symbols are generally ignored
unless otherwise stated in the ‘Comments’ column.
*04*
4
IB/M/Jun26/7405/3
