GCSE Chemistry (AQA): Free Mock Test & Practice Questions

GCSE Chemistry (AQA)

Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative, rates, organic, analysis. AQA board.

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Try 3 real GCSE Chemistry (AQA) questions

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Q1. What is found in the nucleus of an atom?

A. Protons and neutrons
B. Protons and electrons
C. Neutrons and electrons
D. Protons only

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✓ Answer: A. Protons and neutrons

The nucleus contains protons (positive charge) and neutrons (no charge), giving it an overall positive charge. Electrons are much lighter and occupy shells around the nucleus, not inside it.

Q2. A student draws a dot-and-cross diagram for magnesium oxide. What should it show happening to the electrons?

A. Magnesium keeps both outer electrons and oxygen shares two electrons with it
B. Two electrons transfer from magnesium's outer shell to oxygen's outer shell
C. One electron transfers from magnesium to oxygen, leaving both with a single charge
D. Electrons are shared equally between magnesium and oxygen atoms

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✓ Answer: B. Two electrons transfer from magnesium's outer shell to oxygen's outer shell

Magnesium has two outer electrons and oxygen needs two to complete its outer shell, so both electrons transfer, giving Mg2+ and O2- with full outer shells. A single electron transfer would leave oxygen's outer shell incomplete, which does not match a stable ionic compound.

Q3. A reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid uses 6.5 g of zinc (0.1 mol) and 200 cm3 of 0.4 mol/dm3 HCl (0.08 mol), following Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2. Which reactant is the limiting reactant?

A. Zinc, because it has a smaller mass in grams
B. Hydrochloric acid, because 0.1 mol of zinc needs 0.2 mol of HCl but only 0.08 mol is available
C. Zinc, because 0.1 mol is less than 0.08 mol of HCl
D. Neither, because both are used up at exactly the same time

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✓ Answer: B. Hydrochloric acid, because 0.1 mol of zinc needs 0.2 mol of HCl but only 0.08 mol is available

The equation requires 2 moles of HCl for every 1 mole of zinc, so 0.1 mol of zinc would need 0.2 mol of HCl to fully react. Only 0.08 mol of HCl is available, which is far less than needed, so HCl runs out first and is the limiting reactant. Comparing masses directly (option A) ignores the mole ratio required by the balanced equation.

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GCSE Chemistry (AQA) — common questions

Frequently asked

How many questions are in the GCSE Chemistry (AQA)?

The exam has 40 questions. Every Revision Robin mock uses the same 40-question format so your practice matches the real thing.

What is the pass mark for the GCSE Chemistry (AQA)?

You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 60%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.

How long do you get?

The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.

Are these the real exam questions?

No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with AQA.