Organic learned as pictures
Memorising individual mechanisms works until the exam presents an unfamiliar molecule. Understanding electron movement and the reason for each arrow transfers; memorising does not.
A-Level Chemistry
A-Level Chemistry tuition across physical, organic and inorganic
Chemistry at A-Level is three subjects sharing a timetable. Physical chemistry is mathematical, organic chemistry is a language with rules and exceptions, and inorganic chemistry rewards patient pattern recognition. Students rarely find all three equally hard, and effective tutoring starts by naming which one is costing the grade.
- Organic mechanisms
- Physical calculations
- Synoptic papers
What happens next
- 1. A free consultation about the student's stage and goals.
- 2. A shortlist of tutors, reviewed by a person before it reaches you.
- 3. A free compatibility trial before anything is paid for.
Founding lessons from £25 per hour. No grade or place is ever guaranteed.
Who A-Level Chemistry tuition suits
Chemistry is a common requirement for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, pharmacy and chemical engineering, so the grade often carries an offer with it.
- Year 12 students who found the mathematical side of physical chemistry a shock
- Year 13 students preparing for synoptic papers that combine all three strands
- Students who can recall mechanisms but cannot apply them to unfamiliar molecules
- Students needing A or A* for a competitive course
What usually gets in the way
These are the patterns we see most often, and what a tutor does about them.
Physical chemistry calculations
Equilibrium constants, Born-Haber cycles, entropy and rate equations combine several steps, and one early unit slip carries through to the end.
Inorganic trends treated as trivia
Periodic trends, transition metals and their reactions are examined as connected patterns, but frequently revised as disconnected facts.
Synoptic papers
Final papers deliberately combine strands and expect content from the whole course. Students who revised topic by topic can be unprepared for the mixing.
Topics and boards covered
- AQA
- OCR A
- OCR B (Salters)
- Edexcel
- WJEC / Eduqas
Physical
- Amount of substance and titration
- Energetics and Born-Haber
- Kinetics and rate equations
- Equilibria, Kc and Kp
- Acids, bases and pH
Organic
- Mechanisms and reaction pathways
- Isomerism and stereochemistry
- Aromatic chemistry
- Spectroscopy and analysis
Inorganic
- Periodicity and group trends
- Transition metals and complexes
- Redox and electrode potentials
How an A-Level Chemistry tutor works
Mechanisms are drawn by the student in every lesson, and calculations are set out in full, because both are marked on method rather than on the final line.
- Organic taught as electron movement, then tested on molecules the student has not seen
- Calculation work set out step by step with units carried through, every time
- Inorganic revised as trends and explanations rather than as isolated facts
- Synoptic questions introduced early in Year 13 rather than saved for revision
A typical first four weeks
Every plan is adjusted at the consultation, but this is the shape most engagements take.
- Week 1
Three-strand diagnostic
Questions from physical, organic and inorganic chemistry to identify which strand is limiting the grade and why.
- Week 2
Physical calculations
The weakest calculation topic is rebuilt with full working, then practised with graded questions between lessons.
- Week 3
Organic mechanisms
Mechanisms drawn from principles and applied to unfamiliar molecules, alongside spectroscopy and structure determination.
- Week 4
Synoptic timed section
A mixed timed section marked together, with a written progress note for parents and a target list for the next block.
What families ask
Which strand should we focus on first?
Whichever is losing the most marks, which is not always the one that feels hardest. The first lesson is a diagnostic across all three so the decision is made on evidence.
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Read about Medicine personal statementTalk to us about a-level chemistry tuition
Tell us the stage, exam board and timeline. We will recommend a tutor and arrange a free compatibility trial.