Edexcel | GCSE Chemistry | Paper 1 | 2025 predicted paper
Hey lovely people! 😊
If you're getting ready for your Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 this year – we've got your back! 💪💚
Our brand new 2025 Predicted Paper is out now and it's designed to help you feel super confident heading into the exam 📝💡 Whether you’re aiming for a grade 4 or pushing for a 9, this is the perfect way to practise the exact kind of questions the examiners LOVE to ask! 🎯
📹 And the best bit?
We've made a full video walkthrough for every single question! Yep – we go through it all step-by-step, showing you exactly what the examiner wants to see 🧐✨ So whether you’re struggling with electrolysis ⚡, mole calculations ⚖️, or just want to get quicker at those six-markers 💬 – we’re here to help!
🌟 Why you’ll love it: ✅ Realistic questions based on the spec & exam trends
✅ Full mark scheme included 🧾
✅ Clear, calm video explanations with me (your friendly teacher!) 👩🏫
✅ Over 1,000 FIVE-STAR reviews from students, parents & teachers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are NOT alone in this. I know revision can feel overwhelming, but honestly – little by little, it all adds up. And just a reminder: your grades do NOT define your worth. You are amazing already 🥰 But let’s help you feel confident and ready to show off everything you’ve learned! 🌈🔥
🧪 Ready to smash that Chemistry Paper 1?
Grab the predicted paper & watch the walkthroughs now – let’s gooo! 🚀💥
Which paper are you looking for?
Edexcel GCSE Separate Science Chemistry | Higher | Paper 1 | 2025:
🧪 1. Separating Mixtures
You must be able to describe and explain simple physical separation techniques
Top tip:
Filtration is for separating an insoluble solid from a liquid.
Simple distillation separates a liquid from a solution (e.g., water from salt water).
⚛️ 2. Dot and Cross Diagrams
Be able to draw and interpret dot and cross diagrams for ionic, covalent and metallic bonding.
Top tip:
Ionic bonding (e.g., NaCl): electrons are transferred; show full outer shells and charges.
Covalent bonding (e.g., H₂O, O₂, CH₄): electrons are shared; show outer shells.
⚡ 3. Electrolysis and Half Equations
Understand how electrolysis works and be able to write half equations for reactions at the electrodes.
Top tip:
Electrolysis is splitting using electricity.
Positive, attracts anions (non-metals).
Negative, attracts cations (metals).
Learn the reactivity series – less reactive metals are deposited first.
Practice writing half equations: e.g., Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na (reduction), Cl⁻ → Cl₂ + 2e⁻ (oxidation).
🧱 4. Effect of Bonding on Structure
Know how types of bonding affect properties like melting point, conductivity, and hardness.
Top tip:
Ionic compounds: high melting points, conduct electricity when molten or in solution.
Simple covalent molecules: low melting points, don’t conduct.
Giant covalent structures: very high melting points, mostly don’t conduct (except graphite).
Metals: high melting points, good conductors (delocalised electrons!).
💎 5. Diamond and Graphite
Compare and explain the structures and properties of diamond and graphite.
Top tip:
Diamond: 4 bonds per carbon, no free electrons, very hard, doesn’t conduct.
Graphite: 3 bonds per carbon, layers that slide, free electrons – it conducts!
Make sure you can explain how structure leads to properties.
♻️ 6. Atom Economy
Be able to calculate atom economy and understand why it’s important.
Top tip:
Formula:
Atom economy = (Mr of desired product ÷ total Mr of all products) × 100High atom economy = less waste = better for the environment and profit!
Only use balanced equations to calculate it.
🧪 7. Weak and Strong Acids
Know the difference between strong and weak acids in terms of ionisation.
Top tip:
Strong acids (e.g., HCl) ionise completely in water.
Weak acids (e.g., ethanoic acid) ionise partially.
This affects pH, not concentration – strong acids have lower pH than weak acids of the same concentration.
🔬 8. Titrations
Be able to describe and carry out titration experiments and calculate concentrations.
Top tip:
Use a burette, pipette, and conical flask with indicator (usually phenolphthalein or methyl orange).
Remember to repeat for concordant results (within 0.10 cm³).
You’ll often be asked to calculate concentration using:
n = c × v and balanced equations to find reacting ratios.
⚖️ 9. Le Chatelier’s Principle
Predict how changes affect reversible reactions at equilibrium.
Top tip:
If you increase temperature, the equilibrium shifts to the endothermic direction.
Increase pressure = shifts to side with fewer gas molecules.
Increase concentration = shifts to use up added substance.
Use arrows to show shifts ➡️ in your answers.
🌍 10. Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
Understand the stages of a product’s life and be able to compare environmental impacts.
Top tip:
Four stages: 1️⃣ Raw material extraction, 2️⃣ Manufacturing, 3️⃣ Use, 4️⃣ Disposal.
Don’t forget to consider energy use, water, pollution, and waste.
Be ready to compare products (e.g., plastic vs paper bags) and explain trade-offs.
Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Chemistry | Higher | Paper 1 | 2025 predicted paper 🧪✨
🧪 1. Separating Mixtures
Know how to describe and explain the key physical separation techniques: filtration, crystallisation, simple distillation, and paper chromatography.
Top tip:
Filtration: removes insoluble solids from liquids.
-
Simple distillation: separates a solvent from a solution (e.g. pure water from salty water).
⚛️ 2. Dot and Cross Diagrams
You should be able to draw and interpret dot and cross diagrams for ionic and covalent bonding.
Top tip:
Ionic bonding: involves a metal and non-metal. Electrons are transferred. Draw full outer shells and show charges (e.g., Na⁺, Cl⁻).
Covalent bonding: involves two non-metals. Electrons are shared. Only draw outer shells.
Focus on molecules like H₂O, O₂, CO₂ and CH₄.
⚡ 3. Electrolysis and Half Equations
Understand how electrolysis works and be able to write simple half equations.
Top tip:
Electrolysis = using electricity to split ionic compounds.
Works only when the substance is molten or in solution (so ions are free to move).
Negative electrode, attracts positive ions (reduction).
Positive electrode, attracts negative ions (oxidation).
-
Be able to write half equations like:
Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na
2Cl⁻ → Cl₂ + 2e⁻
Stick to simple examples – no need for complex redox balancing.
💎 4. Diamond and Graphite
Be able to compare the properties of diamond and graphite, based on their structures.
Top tip:
Diamond: Each carbon makes 4 bonds → very strong, high melting point, doesn’t conduct electricity.
Graphite: Each carbon makes 3 bonds → layers slide (soft), delocalised electrons so it conducts.
You need to link structure → bonding → properties clearly in exam answers.
⚖️ 5. Le Chatelier’s Principle
Explain how changing conditions (temperature, pressure, concentration) affect equilibrium in reversible reactions.
Top tip:
If you increase temperature, equilibrium shifts to the endothermic side.
Increase pressure → shifts to side with fewer gas molecules.
Increase concentration → shifts to use up the added substance.
You don’t need to remember specific examples – just understand how to apply the principle.
💧 6. Potable Water
Know how potable (safe to drink) water is produced in the UK and from seawater.
Top tip:
Potable water is not pure – it contains dissolved substances but is safe to drink.
From seawater: distillation (energy intensive) or reverse osmosis.
Be able to describe and compare the methods and evaluate their practicality.
Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Chemistry | Foundation Tier | Paper 1 | 2025 predicted paper 🧪✨
🍋 1. Acids and Alkalis
Understand what acids and alkalis are, how they react, and how to measure their strength using the pH scale.
Top tip:
Acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid) have a pH less than 7.
Alkalis (e.g., sodium hydroxide) have a pH greater than 7.
Neutral is pH 7.
Use universal indicator or litmus paper to test pH.
Know the word equations for neutralisation:
Acid + Alkali → Salt + Water
🧪 2. Separating Mixtures
Be able to describe simple methods to separate substances from mixtures.
Top tip:
Filtration – removes insoluble solids (like sand from water).
Simple distillation – separates a solvent (e.g., getting water from salty water).
⚛️ 3. Dot and Cross Diagrams
Be able to draw simple dot and cross diagrams to show bonding in ionic and covalent substances.
Top tip:
Ionic bonding = between a metal and non-metal, electrons are transferred. Show full outer shells and charges.
Covalent bonding = between two non-metals, electrons are shared. Only show outer shell.
Practice with examples like sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H₂O), methane (CH₄), and oxygen (O₂).
No need for complex molecules – just get the basics right.
⚡ 4. Electrolysis
Understand the basics of electrolysis and how it splits substances using electricity.
Top tip:
Electrolysis splits ionic substances when molten or in solution.
positive electrode, attracts negative ions.
negative electrode, attracts positive ions.
Know simple examples like extracting aluminium or producing hydrogen and chlorine from salt water.
🌍 5. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
Be able to describe the main stages of a product’s life and its impact on the environment.
Top tip:
Four stages:
1️⃣ Getting raw materials
2️⃣ Making the product
3️⃣ Using the product
4️⃣ Disposing of the productThink about energy use, pollution, waste and water use at each stage.
Be ready to compare two products (e.g., paper vs plastic bag) – there’s no perfect answer, but explain your thinking!
💧 6. Potable Water
Know what makes water safe to drink and how it’s treated.
Top tip:
Potable water = safe to drink, but not pure (it contains some dissolved substances).
-
In the UK:
Water is collected from rain
Filtered to remove solids
Sterilised to kill microbes (with chlorine, ozone or UV light)
Seawater can be turned into drinking water using distillation – but it’s expensive and uses lots of energy.
Edexcel GCSE Separate Science Chemistry | Foundation Tier | Paper 1 | 2025 predicted paper 🧪💚
🍋 1. Acids and Alkalis
Understand pH, the difference between acids and alkalis, and how neutralisation works.
Top tip:
Acid = pH less than 7
Alkali = pH more than 7
Neutral = pH 7
Neutralisation word equation:
Acid + Alkali → Salt + Water
🧪 2. Separating Mixtures
Be able to describe filtration, crystallisation, simple distillation, and chromatography.
Top tip:
Filtration – separates solids from liquids.
Simple distillation – separates a liquid from a solution.
Paper chromatography – separates colours; know Rf = distance moved by spot ÷ distance moved by solvent.
Be able to explain why each method is suitable in a given situation.
⚛️ 3. Dot and Cross Diagrams
Draw and interpret diagrams for ionic and covalent bonds.
Top tip:
Ionic: metal + non-metal → electrons are transferred. Show full outer shells and ion charges.
Covalent: two non-metals → electrons are shared. Draw only outer shells.
Stick to key examples: NaCl, H₂O, CH₄, O₂.
Be clear and neat – examiners love tidy diagrams!
⚡ 4. Electrolysis
Understand how electrolysis works and where ions go.
Top tip:
Used to split ionic substances using electricity.
positive → attracts negative ions.
negative → attracts positive ions.
Be able to describe what’s made at each electrode, e.g., hydrogen and chlorine from salt solution.
♻️ 5. Atom Economy
Be able to use and explain atom economy.
Top tip:
Formula:
Atom economy = (Mr of desired product ÷ total Mr of all products) × 100High atom economy = less waste = better for environment and industry.
You'll usually be given the relative formula masses, so plug in the numbers carefully!
🔬 6. Titrations
Know how titrations are used to find out how much acid is needed to neutralise an alkali.
Top tip:
Add a few drops of indicator (like phenolphthalein or methyl orange).
Stop when the colour changes – that’s the end point.
Repeat for accurate results (concordant titres = within 0.1 cm³).
🌍 7. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
Understand the stages and impacts of a product’s life cycle.
Top tip:
Stages:
1️⃣ Raw materials
2️⃣ Manufacturing
3️⃣ Use
4️⃣ DisposalThink about energy use, pollution, water use, and waste.
Be ready to compare two products and explain why one might be better overall.
No maths here – just clear comparisons and simple explanations.
💧 8. Potable Water
Know what potable water is and how it’s made.
Top tip:
Potable = safe to drink – not necessarily pure!
-
In the UK:
Filtration removes solids
Sterilisation kills microbes (chlorine, UV or ozone)
From seawater: use distillation, but it’s energy intensive.
Be able to describe and compare methods clearly.
Add a comment