Chemistry Olympiad support booklet

A female teacher holds a textbook and smiles; behind her a group of students in casual clothes talk between themselves

Source: © Getty Images

Stretch and challenge your students or help them prepare for the Chemistry Olympiad using these example questions with commentary and analysis.

Questions from the Chemistry Olympiad may seem unfamiliar, daunting or even ‘impossible’ at first. Learn how to approach them, however, and they offer students a unique opportunity to test their knowledge, stretch their thinking and develop valuable problem-solving skills.

This booklet is designed with two purposes in mind: to help and encourage ambitious post-16 chemistry students to do well in future Olympiad competitions; and to serve as a teaching resource for schools to stretch and challenge gifted students.

Inside the booklet, you will find:

  • Background information and guidance on the types of questions used in the Olympiad
  • Example questions from the Round 1 paper, representing a variety of topics and styles
  • Analysis and commentary describing the approach and steps required to answer each question

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.