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Cambridge Chemistry Challenge

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge

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Competition
In-person
Y12Ages 1617
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Ready to tackle uni‑level chemistry before applications? Join the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge: a 90‑minute paper that stretches your thinking, builds problem‑solving skills and gives insight into studying chemistry at university. Explore, think like a scientist and stand out.

Prize: Certificates of achievement for students who do well; invitation to a residential camp at the University of Cambridge for top performers at the end of August.

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge is a UK school competition designed to stretch and challenge students interested in chemistry and to give insight into studying chemistry beyond the school syllabus. The competition is set by an experienced team of teachers and university chemists and is designed to be accessible to Year 12 students while encouraging university-style scientific thinking.

The assessment takes the form of a 90-minute written paper, consisting of two or three questions, which is sat at school under supervised conditions within a specified time window after AS exams. Registered schools (those entering at least one student) are sent the paper at the beginning of June.

Teachers may enter as many candidates as they wish; for schools submitting more than five scripts, teachers should mark these themselves, while schools entering five or fewer may submit papers unmarked. Students who perform well receive certificates, and the highest performers are invited to a residential camp at the University of Cambridge at the end of August.

Qualification Outcome

Certificate of achievement (for students who do well)

ChemistryScience, Research & Sustainability
1

28 Aug 2026 – 31 Aug 2026

Residential camp cohort 1

2

04 Sept 2026 – 07 Sept 2026

Residential camp cohort 2

3

18 Sept 2026 – 21 Sept 2026

Residential camp cohort 3

Duration: 90 minutes

Location

In-person
United Kingdom
Taken at participants' schools across the UK; top performers invited to a residential camp at the University of Cambridge.
  • Open to students studying in the UK in Year 12 (Lower 6th) or below.
  • The paper is taken at school under supervised conditions.
  • Schools must register and enter at least one student to receive the paper.

Checked 23 August 2026

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