Qualifications Scotland (SQA) Higher Chemistry Past Papers 2026

Multiple-choice

Duration: 40 minutes

Extended-response (short-answer + structured)

Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

Researched investigation report

Duration: Coursework — externally assessed (max 2 hours for report stage)

Practical techniques — titration, weighing by difference, pipette use

All three course reports (2023, 2024, 2025) consistently identify practical technique questions as the weakest performance area. The 2024 report specifically notes difficulty with 'suggesting a variable to keep the same to allow for a fair test, and the correct use of a pipette'. The 2023 report flags 'describing a procedure to weigh by difference and the practical aspects of titration'.

Question Paper 2

Drawing and labelling assembled apparatus diagrams

Diagram questions are flagged every year. In 2024, few candidates drew a labelled ester preparation apparatus and some drew closed systems. In 2025, few candidates earned 2 marks for the gas preparation/separation diagram. The 2023 report states diagrams 'still pose a challenge for some candidates'.

Question Paper 2

Redox — writing ion-electron half-equations and overall redox equations

In 2023, few candidates could write the overall redox equation (Question 6(d)(i)) and some struggled to identify a reducing agent (Question 6(d)(ii)). In 2024, some candidates struggled to name carbon as a reducing agent. The 2025 report notes that combining two ion-electron equations to give the overall redox equation was an area where most candidates performed well — representing improvement when the skill is directly practised.

Question Paper 1, Question Paper 2

Open-ended questions — a proportion of candidates leave these blank

All three course reports note that a proportion of candidates (2023, 2024) or some candidates (2025) do not attempt open-ended questions, forfeiting up to 3 marks. Since these questions are marked holistically on quality of understanding rather than specific correct points, any relevant chemistry knowledge can earn partial credit.

Question Paper 2

Course specification definitions — ionic bond, emulsifier, essential amino acid, fats in diet

Each year features questions where only a few candidates could recall a specification-level definition: 2023 (function of emulsifier), 2024 (why fats and oils form part of a balanced diet; sodium salt formula), 2025 (ionic bond definition). These are straightforward recall questions that require accurate learning of course specification language.

Question Paper 2

Organic structural formulae — drawing correct structures for hydroxycarboxylic acids, amino acids, skeletal formulae

In 2023, some candidates struggled to draw the structural formula for a hydroxycarboxylic acid and for glutamic acid. In 2025, few candidates drew the skeletal formula for pentanoic acid. These questions require combining knowledge of functional groups with correct structural representation.

Question Paper 2

Equilibrium — consequences of changing conditions on equilibrium position

The 2025 report devotes a separate section to this topic, noting candidates 'would benefit from practising questions about the consequences of altering reaction conditions on equilibrium reactions, in particular, changes in temperature leading to changes of state of reactants or products'. The 2023 report flagged difficulty explaining the effect of continuously removing ammonia on equilibrium.

Question Paper 1, Question Paper 2

Assignment sections — method summary, data comparison, and evaluation justification

The 2024 report notes that many candidates did not summarise their experimental method in Section 3(a), did not provide a valid comparison of experimental and internet data in Section 5, and did not provide appropriate justification for evaluative statements in Section 7. The 2025 report shows improvement (some candidates) but these sections remain challenging.

Assignment