5070_s26_qp_21 2026 May-June Chemistry 5070 Question Paper 2 Variant 1 · Cambridge CAIE O Level

Loading document...

5070_s26_qp_21.pdf

5070_s26_qp_212026 May-June Chemistry 5070 Question Paper 2 Variant 1

This is the official Cambridge O Level Chemistry (5070) Question Paper 2 (Variant 1) from the 2026 May-June examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.

Also referenced as: 5070_s26_qp_21 · 5070/21/m/j/26 qp · 5070/21 May/June 2026 qp

Paper 2: Theory This is Paper 2: Theory, worth 80 marks with a duration of 1h 45m. Structured and free-response questions. Section A: short-answer. Section B: longer structured questions requiring extended writing and calculations.

To self-assess your performance, use this question paper alongside the corresponding mark scheme (5070_s26_ms_21). Attempt the entire paper under timed conditions before opening the mark scheme — this trains both your subject knowledge and exam technique. Mark each question and record whether marks were lost due to knowledge gaps, method errors, or careless mistakes.

The most effective way to use this Chemistry question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in Chemistry (5070).

Studying Chemistry?

Every past paper on this site stays free. These are the worked answers and notes our specialists write on top of them.

Same paper, other years

Chemistry (5070) Question Paper 2 (Variant 1) from other exam sessions — practise the same paper across the years, then check each one against its mark scheme.

Examiner Insights — Paper 2: Theory

Based on analysis of 4 official Cambridge documents (2023, 2024, 2025)

1

Confusing equilibrium with rate of reaction — using collision theory for equilibrium

Candidates confused equilibrium concepts with rate of reaction, often explaining shifts in equilibrium using collision theory rather than Le Chatelier's principle.5070 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: Rate of reaction = how fast reactants become products (use collision theory). Equilibrium = which direction a reversible reaction shifts (use Le Chatelier's principle). If a question asks about equilibrium position, never mention collision frequency — explain that the system shifts to counteract the change.

2

'Produces a gas' is not an observation — must say effervescence/bubbling

Candidates stated that a gas was produced rather than describing the observable evidence such as effervescence or bubbling.5070 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: An observation is what you SEE, HEAR, or SMELL. 'A gas is produced' is a conclusion, not an observation. Write 'effervescence/bubbling' instead. Similarly: 'heat is released' should be 'temperature increases' or 'test tube becomes warm to touch'.

3

Drawing organic structures with wrong valencies — missing hydrogens, pentavalent carbon

Many candidates drew organic structures with incorrect valencies, commonly showing carbon with five bonds or omitting hydrogen atoms, resulting in invalid structural formulae.5070 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: Carbon ALWAYS makes exactly 4 bonds. After drawing a structure, count the bonds on every carbon atom — if any has more or fewer than 4, it is wrong. Add hydrogen atoms to fill any empty bonds. Oxygen = 2 bonds, nitrogen = 3 bonds, hydrogen = 1 bond.

View full exam guide for Chemistry (5070) →

All Chemistry (5070) Papers — 2026 May-June

Browse all 2026 May-June papers →

More Chemistry (5070) Past Papers

View all Chemistry (5070) sessions →

Chemistry Exam Guide: How to Score Higher

Top mistakes, scoring patterns & answer frameworks from 4 official Cambridge documents