If you’re studying AQA A-level Chemistry, you’ve probably already heard about the data booklet. But knowing it contains a periodic table is one thing — using it effectively in an exam scoring you marks is another.
Official data booklet code: 7405 ·
Number of elements in periodic table: 118 ·
Exam board: AQA ·
Number of A-level Chemistry papers: 3
Quick snapshot
- AQA provides a data booklet (code 7405) for A-level Chemistry exams (AQA Chemistry 7405 course page)
- The booklet includes a periodic table with atomic numbers, symbols, and relative atomic masses (Physics & Maths Tutor PDF copy)
- It also contains infrared absorption data and NMR chemical shift tables (Save My Exams data sheet guide)
- Exact revision history between booklet editions is not publicly documented (based on available AQA materials)
- Whether the booklet will be updated for the 2025 specification has not been formally announced
- How AQA determines which elements to feature in the core periodic table versus supplemental tables is not specified in published materials
- The current 7405 data booklet has been in use since the 2015 specification and remains unchanged for 2025 exams (AQA Chemistry 7405 specification timeline)
- Students should practice using the booklet during mock exams to become familiar with its layout (Up Learn Help Centre revision guidance)
- Bookmarking key tables (IR, NMR, organic molecules) saves time during the real exam (Up Learn Help Centre)
The data booklet contains a wealth of reference material organized in a compact format.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | AQA A Level Chemistry Data Booklet |
| Code | 7405 |
| Publisher | AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) |
| Number of pages | Approximately 12 |
| First published | 2015 (specification) |
Where can I download the AQA A Level periodic table PDF?
The official AQA periodic table is part of the A-level Chemistry data booklet. You don’t need to buy it — it’s freely available from the exam board and several trusted revision sites.
Official AQA download link for the data booklet
The most reliable source is the AQA Chemistry 7405 course page. From there, navigate to “Assessment resources” and filter by “Data booklet”. The PDF is labelled with code 7405 and is the same booklet you’ll receive in every A-level Chemistry exam paper.
Alternative sources (Physics and Maths Tutor, revision sites)
Several educational repositories host the same booklet. The Physics & Maths Tutor copy is identical to the official version and is easier to bookmark. Save My Exams also provides a clear breakdown of what each table contains.
How to access the PDF for exam use
You cannot bring your own printed copy into the exam hall — AQA provides the booklet as an insert with your question paper. However, downloading and printing it for revision is allowed. Up Learn’s help centre recommends using the booklet during mock exams so you learn exactly where to find each table under timed conditions.
- Navigate to the AQA Chemistry 7405 course page
- Click “Assessment resources” in the top menu
- Filter by resource type: “Data booklet”
- Download the PDF labelled with code 7405
- Print the booklet and use it during mock exams for timed practice
Bottom line: Download the 7405 PDF from the AQA site or Physics & Maths Tutor. Print it for revision but expect the same insert in the real exam.
What information does the AQA A Level Chemistry data booklet contain?
The booklet packs a surprising amount of reference data into roughly 12 pages. The periodic table is just one part.
Periodic table layout and element data
The periodic table spans the second page. Each element cell shows the atomic number, symbol, and relative atomic mass (to one decimal place for most elements). The table uses IUPAC group numbering (1–18) and colour-codes the blocks: s-block in pink, p-block in green, d-block in blue, and f-block in purple. According to the Save My Exams analysis, this colour scheme helps you quickly identify metal–non-metal boundaries during periodicity questions.
Infrared absorption data table
One table you’ll use frequently lists IR absorption frequencies for functional groups. The booklet divides it into bond types (C=O, O–H, N–H, etc.) with their corresponding wavenumber ranges. Up Learn advises quoting the specific IR range from this table when answering spectroscopy questions — examiners expect the exact values, not a vague description.
Other included tables
- 1H NMR chemical shift data – shift values for different proton environments (ppm scale).
- 13C NMR chemical shift data – carbon environment shifts, essential for structural determination.
- Selected organic molecules – structural formulae and relevant constants for common compounds.
Note: the booklet does not list electron configurations or full ionization energies for each element — you are expected to know those patterns from the specification. The Save My Exams guide confirms that the A-level version adds these extra tables while the AS sheet is more limited.
The extra tables (IR, NMR, organic molecules) are exactly where students lose marks — knowing where to find them in the booklet saves minutes per question.
How is the periodic table arranged in the AQA specification?
The AQA periodic table follows the same IUPAC conventions used internationally, but the specification emphasises certain features for exam purposes.
Groups and periods in the AQA table
Groups are numbered 1–18 (IUPAC system) and run vertically. Periods are horizontal rows arranged by increasing atomic number. The AQA specification states that students must be able to identify elements in Groups 1, 2, 7, and 0, as well as the transition metals between Groups 2 and 3. In the data booklet, these groups are clearly marked at the top of each column.
Block structure (s, p, d, f)
- s-block – Groups 1 and 2 (plus He in Group 18’s s orbital).
- p-block – Groups 13–18.
- d-block – transition metals (Groups 3–12).
- f-block – lanthanides and actinides (shown separately below the main table).
The booklet’s colour coding aligns with these blocks. For periodicity questions across Period 3, you’ll need to know which elements are in which block — a skill tested in Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the A-level. The implication: if you can match the colour region to the block, you can quickly identify element groups without memorising individual placements.
Position of metals and non-metals
The staircase line from Beryllium to Astatine divides metals (left) from non-metals (right). The data booklet does not explicitly draw this line, but the colour coding makes it easy to see: s-block metals are pink, non-metals in the p-block are green. The Physics & Maths Tutor copy shows this clearly.
What this means: when a question asks about metallic character across a period, you can visually scan the row in the booklet to see the shift from left to right.
What are the key periodic trends and groups tested in AQA exams?
Exam frequency points to three main trend areas: atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity. Groups 2 and 7 appear reliably, and transition metals bring their own set of properties.
Trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity
Across Period 3 (Na to Ar), atomic radius decreases, first ionization energy generally increases (with dips at Mg–Al and P–S), and electronegativity rises. The AQA specification explicitly lists these trends as required knowledge. The data booklet supports this by providing the relative atomic masses you need for molar mass calculations, though you must recall the trends themselves from your notes.
Group 2 (alkaline earth metals) and Group 7 (halogens)
- Group 2: Reactions with water (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and acids are common. The Save My Exams revision guide notes that solubility trends of hydroxides and sulfates are a favourite exam topic.
- Group 7: Halogen displacement reactions and trends in boiling points. The data booklet doesn’t list melting/boiling points, so you need to memorise the pattern (F2 gas, Cl2 gas, Br2 liquid, I2 solid).
Transition metals and their properties
Transition metals (Sc to Zn in Period 4) are tested for variable oxidation states, coloured ions, and catalytic properties. The data booklet does not list oxidation states, but you can use the atomic masses to calculate yields in synthesis questions involving, for example, copper or iron.
For any trend question, the data booklet gives you numbers (masses, NMR shifts) but not the directional trend — that’s still yours to apply. Students who practise linking booklet data to a trend statement score higher marks.
How does the AQA periodic table differ between GCSE and A Level?
Students moving from GCSE to A-level sometimes expect the same simple table they used before. The A-level booklet is significantly richer.
Complexity and additional data in the A Level booklet
The GCSE periodic table shows only atomic number and symbol, with a very basic layout. The A-level booklet adds relative atomic mass (to one decimal), NMR chemical shift tables, IR absorption data, and selected organic molecules. According to Save My Exams, the extra content is what allows the A-level questions to test spectroscopy and advanced periodicity — content not covered at GCSE.
Differences in element detail (e.g., relative atomic mass precision)
GCSE tables often round relative atomic mass to whole numbers (e.g., Cl = 35.5). The A-level booklet uses more precise values, so you should always refer to the exact number printed in the booklet when performing calculations — rounding to the nearest whole number can cost marks.
Additional tables present only in A Level data booklet
- Infrared absorption data (absent in GCSE booklet)
- 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift tables
- Selected organic molecules and their data
The Physics & Maths Tutor copy shows the full A-level booklet. A comparison with the GCSE version (available on the AQA site) confirms these additions.
The catch: many A-level students initially overlook the organic molecules table and lose time flipping pages. Bookmark it before the exam.
Quotes from the course providers
“The data booklet is provided with A-level Chemistry question papers.”
“It is for A-level Chemistry and includes periodic table, infrared absorption data, and NMR chemical shift data.”
These quotes underline that the booklet is not optional — it’s part of the exam environment. Learning where each table sits reduces panic and helps you answer faster.
Summary: what this means for your revision
The AQA A-level Chemistry data booklet is a powerful reference, but it does not spoon-feed you the trends. You still need to know that ionization energy increases across Period 3, and which group reactions produce precipitates. The booklet supplies the numbers; you supply the pattern recognition. For the average A-level student who practices past papers with the booklet open, the trade-off is clear: familiarity with the IR and NMR tables alone can save five minutes per paper — time better spent on the harder calculation questions.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own periodic table into the AQA A Level Chemistry exam?
No. The exam board provides the data booklet as an insert with your question paper. You are not allowed to bring any printed materials into the exam hall.
Is the AQA data booklet the same for AS and A Level?
No. The AS version contains a simpler periodic table and fewer reference tables (e.g., no NMR data). The A-level booklet (code 7405) includes IR absorption, 1H and 13C NMR, and selected organic molecules. Save My Exams confirms this difference.
How do I use the periodic table to find electron configuration?
The data booklet does not list electron configurations directly. However, you can deduce them by the element’s position: the period number gives the valence shell, and the block (s, p, d, f) tells you the subshell. For example, an element in Period 4, Group 2 is [Ar] 4s².
What does the relative atomic mass in the table represent?
It is the weighted mean mass of all naturally occurring isotopes of that element, relative to carbon-12. For chlorine, the value 35.5 reflects the natural abundance of ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl. You should use this value in mole calculations.
Are there any restrictions on annotating the data booklet during the exam?
Yes. You cannot write in the booklet itself — it is part of the exam material. However, you can make notes on your question paper and use rough paper provided. Practise without annotating the insert during mocks.
How often does AQA update the periodic table data?
The current booklet has been in use since the 2015 specification. AQA only updates it when the specification is revised. The AQA course page shows the same booklet for 2025 as for 2023.
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Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at BritainNow.uk, covering arts, culture, lifestyle and society.