IGCSE, A-Level, IB and the Thai curriculum: how far should your child take chemistry?

IGCSE = the base (Year 10–11). It cannot be used on its own for university entry.

A-Level = 3–4 subjects in depth · IB = 6 subjects in breadth. Both are used for international programmes.

Thai curriculum = M4–M6, then the ทปอ. TGAT / TPAT / A-Level tests for TCAS.

Aiming for medicine: take chemistry to the top level of whichever route.

Most international students take IGCSE first, then either A-Level or the IB, depending on what the school offers.

Chemistry on both routes builds directly on IGCSE: Cambridge and Edexcel both list IGCSE-level chemistry as the expected prior learning.

Science–maths stream students take additional chemistry through M4–M6 under the national curriculum (2008, revised 2017), then sit the ทปอ. A-Level Chemistry test in M6.

The ทปอ. test is 35 questions in 90 minutes: 30 multiple choice and 5 numeric answers, with no written answers. IGCSE, A-Level and IB all require written explanations marked to a mark scheme.

The core content is similar: atoms, bonding, gases, stoichiometry, rates, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry and organic chemistry. The difference is how it is examined.

Watch the name: Thailand's "A-Level" is not the Cambridge or Edexcel GCE A-Level. International students aiming for medicine through กสพท must sit the Thai-language ทปอ. tests (medicine requirements).

Pick a route. The coloured bar is the share of the grade; the grey bars below compare total exam time across all routes.

Cambridge 9701: Paper 4 in year 2 is the heaviest at 38.5%; AS can be sat in year 1 and carried forward.

Edexcel IAL: units can be sat in 3 series a year (Jan, Jun, Oct), so one unit can be retaken on its own.

IB: 20% comes from an experiment your child designs, and SL or HL has to be chosen when picking subjects.

The options are no longer just medicine and engineering. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 expects the fastest-growing jobs to 2030 to be in AI and data, then clean energy, while ageing populations push up health and care work.

Pick your child's goal to see the trend, where chemistry fits, and how far to take it on each route. Green tags are official requirements, grey tags are our recommendation.

A-Level: direction already clear, wants depth in 3–4 subjects, assessed by exams only.

IB: wants breadth and does well at project work, but the total load is heavier with EE, TOK and CAS.

Both routes work for medicine and engineering in Thailand; in practice it usually comes down to what the school offers (our view).

The mole, bonding, energetics, rates and equilibrium, and organic chemistry are what every route builds on. A student still unsure about the mole meets it again, harder, in the first term (revise the mole).

The other is writing answers to the mark scheme: one missing keyword can cost the mark.

Right now there is one course: IGCSE Chemistry, all 12 topics, for both Cambridge and Edexcel, ฿4,900 paid once. The platform is expected to open around December 2026.

The A-Level Chemistry and IB Chemistry courses are planned. If your child is still at IGCSE, start with the free check below.

From the Cambridge 9701 syllabus (2025–2027) · the Edexcel IAL Chemistry specification (2018) · the IB Chemistry subject brief (first assessment 2025) · the ทปอ. A-Level Chemistry blueprint on mytcas.com · job trends from the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 and the Global Wellness Institute (2025), checked 25 October 2026. University requirements are from the official announcements cited in the medicine article and the faculties article. Requirements change every year: check the latest announcement before applying.