Is A Level Chemistry Harder Than A Level Maths?

Another question I generally receive from my students is which subject is more difficult than the other. In fact, when it comes to studying for A-Levels, students often wonder which is more difficult: chemistry or maths? After all, both require a great deal of knowledge, understanding, and hard work.

So, is A level chemistry harder than A level maths? Generally speaking, chemistry A level is harder than math. A-Level chemistry is usually known to be the most challenging science A level course taken by most students.

Keep reading to find out chemistry and maths differences to determine which is harder. You might also enjoy reading: Is A Level Maths Worth It? (Yes! and here’s why)

Table of Contents

The Topics Covered in Chemistry vs. Math

When comparing the difficulty between Chemistry and Math, it is important to consider what topics are covered in each subject because the content covered in each subject can also make one harder than the other.

Chemistry covers topics such as atomic structure, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics. Math covers topics like algebraic equations, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, and probability.

If you find these topics easier to understand or remember, Chemistry could be the easier option for you, while Maths might be more challenging due to its abstract nature.

While both subjects cover various topics that can be difficult to understand, it may be harder for some students to comprehend the concepts taught in Chemistry compared to those taught in math.

For more on A level maths content, I encourage you to read this article about What Does a Level Math Course Cover?

Table below contains a summary of A level chemistry content:

A Level Chemistry	Content
Physical chemistry	– Atomic structure – Amount of substance – Kinetics – Bonding – Oxidation, reduction, and redox equations – Energetics – Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle, and Kc – Thermodynamics (A-level only) – Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only) – Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A-level only) – Acids and bases (A-level only) – Rate equations (A-level only)
Organic chemistry	– Introduction to organic chemistry – Alkanes – Halogenoalkanes – Organic analysis – Alcohols – Alkenes – Optical isomerism (A-level only) – Aldehydes and ketones (A-level only) – Aromatic chemistry (A-level only) – Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only) – Organic synthesis (A-level only) -Amines (A-level only) – Polymers (A-level only) – Amino acids and proteins (A-level only) – Chromatography (A-level only) – Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A-level only)
Inorganic chemistry	– Periodicity – Group 2, the alkaline earth metals – Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides – Group 7(17), the halogens – Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only) – Transition metals (A-level only)

Table Displays a Summary Of A Level Chemistry Content (Source: OxfordAQA)

Exam Format

Another factor to consider when comparing these two subjects is the exam format. I found that how exams are structured can affect students’ difficulty levels. You will have multiple-choice and essay questions that require longer answers in both subjects.

A level maths generally includes questions that involve problem-solving or working out equations, requiring a higher level of understanding and can be more challenging for some students than answering multiple-choice or essay questions in Chemistry.

A-Level Maths exams tend to require more complex problem solving skills than A-Level Chemistry exams do, which means that if you are not comfortable with problem solving then you may struggle more with Maths than Chemistry in your exam preparation.

Time Commitment Needed

Let’s consider how much time each subject requires from students on a weekly basis outside of class time to achieve top results on exams. For both subjects, there will be required reading from textbooks, or online sources, as well as practice exams or problem, sets to work through.

The amount of time needed for each may vary depending on your level of understanding of each subject; however, chemistry usually requires more time due to its complexity, whereas math may require less time since it focuses on problem-solving rather than memorization or conceptual understanding.

Comparing Learning Styles

At first glance, it may seem that A level maths is a more challenging subject than chemistry. However, this isn’t necessarily true. I realized that the difficulty of each subject really depends on students’ learning styles and preferences.

A visual learner who enjoys problem-solving might find A level maths easier than students who prefer to learn by doing experiments and hands-on activities.

On the other hand, students who enjoy working with data sets and manipulating numbers will find A level maths to be more difficult.

Is Chemistry The Hardest A Level

Chemistry is one of the most complex and challenging A level subjects that students can take (Source: Oxford Royale Academy). It requires an in-depth knowledge of both practical and theoretical concepts and a mastery of problem-solving skills.

To succeed, students studying chemistry must be prepared to remember countless equations, facts, and figures. With even the slightest mistake being able to throw off entire experiments or miscalculate calculations, chemistry can sometimes feel like a particularly demanding subject.

Despite being challenging, A level chemistry is argued by many as one of the most rewarding A levels you can take because it has many applications in everyday life, from cookery to medicine. Further studying chemistry can help individuals make valuable contributions later in life.

Most of my students told me that chemistry is one of the most difficult A levels to master, but I also think that Chemistrymcan also is among the most rewarding. Learning about elements and reactions can help students understand how our world works and comprehend the sciences behind many processes.

If you have an analytical mind, chemistry offers an enjoyable challenge, pushing them to use your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. And, despite its challenging concepts and equations, when studied with proper dedication, mastery A level Chemistry provides many benefits in understanding the workings of our world more deeply.

Furthermore, universities and employers consider chemistry one of the most important and heavily sought-after science qualifications. By immersing oneself in this subject, many doors will open for success in the future.

Wrapping Up

Overall, A level chemistry is harder than A level maths depending on students’ learning styles and abilities.

I believe neither subject is “easier” or “harder” than the other; however, A level chemistry and A level maths differ greatly regarding topic coverage and required skillsets for successfully completing coursework and acing the exams.

I suggest you pick your A level courses based on the courses that make more sense to you and ensure you choose something you feel confident with tackling. If you find chemistry interesting, then by all means, give it a go.

If maths takes your fancy, then jump right into that too! Whatever you decide, I wish you an enjoyable learning experience with lots of success along the way.