GCSE
CHEMISTRY
8462/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
*256G8462/1H/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
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’
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
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
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.
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 aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Information to 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 their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information 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.
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 confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
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.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
3. Marking points
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 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 errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0
Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks]
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
2 cobalt, nickel, nail* 2
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, or uses
symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula
is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students may omit steps from their
working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant marks may be awarded.
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
4
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
3.5 Errors carried forward
An error can be carried forward from one question part to the next and is shown by the
abbreviation ‘ecf’.
Within an individual question part, an incorrect value in one step of a calculation does not prevent
all of the subsequent marks being awarded.
3.6 Phonetic spelling
Marks should be awarded if spelling is not correct but the intention is clear, unless there is a
possible confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is
included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
3.8 Allow
In the mark scheme additional information, ‘allow’ is used to indicate creditworthy
alternative answers.
3.9 Ignore
Ignore is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to gain the
marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
3.10 Do not accept
Do not accept means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given as
well, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.
3.11 Numbered answer lines
Numbered lines on the question paper are intended to support the student to give the correct
number of responses. The answer should still be marked as a whole.
4. Level of response marking instructions
Extended response questions are marked on level of response mark schemes.
• Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor.
• The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
• There are two marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer, read through the answer and, if necessary,
annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark
scheme.
5
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Step 1: Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level.
The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s answer for
that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on,
until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With practice and familiarity you
will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark
scheme.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer. Do not look to penalise
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level.
Use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is
predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2 but be awarded
a mark near the top of the level because of the level 3 content.
Step 2: Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
You should ignore any irrelevant points made. However, full marks can be awarded only if there are no
incorrect statements that contradict a correct response.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
6
CHEMISTRY
8462/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
*256G8462/1H/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
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’
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
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
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.
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 aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Information to 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 their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information 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.
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 confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
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.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
3. Marking points
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 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 errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0
Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks]
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
2 cobalt, nickel, nail* 2
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, or uses
symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula
is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students may omit steps from their
working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant marks may be awarded.
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
4
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
3.5 Errors carried forward
An error can be carried forward from one question part to the next and is shown by the
abbreviation ‘ecf’.
Within an individual question part, an incorrect value in one step of a calculation does not prevent
all of the subsequent marks being awarded.
3.6 Phonetic spelling
Marks should be awarded if spelling is not correct but the intention is clear, unless there is a
possible confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is
included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
3.8 Allow
In the mark scheme additional information, ‘allow’ is used to indicate creditworthy
alternative answers.
3.9 Ignore
Ignore is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to gain the
marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
3.10 Do not accept
Do not accept means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given as
well, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.
3.11 Numbered answer lines
Numbered lines on the question paper are intended to support the student to give the correct
number of responses. The answer should still be marked as a whole.
4. Level of response marking instructions
Extended response questions are marked on level of response mark schemes.
• Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor.
• The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
• There are two marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer, read through the answer and, if necessary,
annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark
scheme.
5
, MARK SCHEME – GCSE CHEMISTRY – 8462/1H – JUNE 2025
Step 1: Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level.
The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s answer for
that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on,
until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With practice and familiarity you
will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark
scheme.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer. Do not look to penalise
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level.
Use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is
predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2 but be awarded
a mark near the top of the level because of the level 3 content.
Step 2: Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
You should ignore any irrelevant points made. However, full marks can be awarded only if there are no
incorrect statements that contradict a correct response.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
6
