What if I can’t find some chemicals or materials?

If you cannot get some of the chemicals or materials you need from local, in-country, or international sources, email us at info@cambridgeinternational.org and in the subject line tell us the syllabus, component and include the heading ‘Difficulty procuring chemical or material’. The body of the email should provide us with more details of the chemicals or materials you are finding hard to obtain.

If appropriate we will suggest alternative chemicals or materials that candidates can use. These may be items you already keep in your centre, or which you can find locally. The supervisor’s report should clearly record any alternative chemicals or materials that have been agreed with us before the exam.

Please note that spirit burners are not a suitable alternative to a Bunsen burner for many of our chemistry assessments. Spirit burners should not be provided as an alternative to Bunsen burners unless this has been authorised by Cambridge for that specific paper. Where piped gas supply is unavailable, portable Bunsen burners should be provided. It is the centre’s responsibility to source chemicals and materials for practical exams and failure to do so may mean we will refuse entries for that syllabus in the future.