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Chemistry is arguably one of the most difficult subjects to do at GCSE. To do well in your exam, you’ll need a good grasp of theoretical concepts as well as practical skills. But it’s not just about memorising key concepts and practices – it’s about being able to really understand them so you can apply them to a range of complex problems.

Luckily, there are a ton of GCSE chemistry revision resources available that you can use to practise solving theoretical and practical problems, while improving your analytical thinking and laboratory skills.

What Topics to Revise?

You must be as comprehensive as possible in your GCSE chemistry revision, so take some time going through all the key topics and prioritising them in terms of difficulty. In general, you should spend more time revising topics that are harder for you, and less time on the ones you’re already confident in. 

The topics you’ll need to focus on in your chemistry revision can be broken down into two categories: theoretical and practical.

Theoretical Topics

Practical Topics

  • Making Salts
  • Neutralisation
  • Electrolysis
  • Temperature Changes
  • Rates of Reaction
  • Chromatography
  • Identifying Ions
  • Water Purification
Conceptual hand writing showing Revision

Our Top 7 Online Resources for GCSE Chemistry Revision

  1. Kingsmead School

This is a good place to start with your GCSE chemistry revision if you want to have a general overview of all the topics you’ll need to study for the exam. The good thing about this revision resource is that you can download the resources in PDF format and save them for later or print them. The downside is that the resources are mainly summaries of broader topics – though this can be useful if you’ve already revised everything in detail, and are just looking for a recap. 

  1. BBC Bitesize Revision

If you want a more detailed chemistry revision resource, this is an excellent online platform. BBC Bitesize lays down all the topics in logical order based on the curriculum, starting with broad key topics that are hyperlinked so that you can explore the different sub-topics.

It’s easy to navigate, and each sub-topic page has a short discussion of the concepts, as well as a glossary of key terms you’ll need to know. Every page is divided into a revise tab and a Q&A tab, where you can practise answering mock exam questions. You’ll also have the option to check whether your answers are correct after you’ve completed answering the test questions. 

  1. ChemGuide

This resource provides a good overview of various branches of chemistry, like physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry. You can also download the chemistry syllabuses for secondary schools as a reference for your revision sessions, and even choose different exam boards for different regions.

  1. Cognito Channel

Cognito is a YouTube channel with short maths and science lessons. Although not exclusively focused on chemistry, it has updated and comprehensive revision videos you can use to refresh your understanding on different topics. The discussions are digestible and easy to understand.

This resource is ideal if your learning style is more visual, and it makes difficult concepts easier to grasp and remember. This will help guide you through more detailed and in-depth explanations you’ll come across in other resources, like textbooks. 

  1. CGP Books

If you want printed materials for your chemistry revision, and even for other subjects, this website will come in very handy. On it, you can find subject-specific books that are also exam board-specific. You can watch online videos, take mock exams, and play some fun games, such as GCSE revision cards and practice quizzes. This revision resource is particularly useful if you prefer to revise with friends.

  1. Periodic Videos

This is a comprehensive repository of video resources about the elements. You can click any element in the periodic table and it will lead you to a video explainer about that element. The videos are prepared by the University of Nottingham, and each one features related chemical reactions (if applicable), interesting trivia, and other concepts.

  1. Creative Chemistry

If you want to put your knowledge about chemistry to the test, this online resource is very useful. Including worksheets, quizzes, and an interactive periodic table among a host of other activities, it’s a great way to solidify your understanding of all the different topics. 

For more help and support on revising for GCSE chemistry, read our revision series:

About the author

Jessica Clifton

Director

Jessica is a Director at ReAgent and leads a variety of growth projects. She has an extensive background in marketing, and has worked in the chemical manufacturing industry since 2019. When she’s not writing articles for ReAgent, Jessica can be found on a run, in her campervan, building LEGO, or watching Star Wars.
View all posts by Jessica Clifton

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