You might feel like IGCSE Chemistry is a huge wall of facts, equations, and strange words. The exam is getting closer, your notes are messy, and you are not sure where to start.
The good news is that you can raise your score with simple, smart tactics, even if you do not have months left. The tips in this guide come from common mistakes students make in real papers from the current 2023–2025 Cambridge 0620 syllabus.
IGCSE Chemistry tests how well you understand the ideas behind reactions, not only how many facts you remember. With the right strategy, you can turn that to your advantage and gain marks much faster.
Know What IGCSE Chemistry Really Tests You On
Before you open your book, it helps to know what the exam actually wants. When you look at the official Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for 2023–2025, you see that the same themes appear again and again.
Examiners like to repeat ideas but change the numbers, chemicals, or context. If you can spot those patterns, you do not have to learn every tiny detail.
Focus on the Big Topics That Bring the Most Marks
Some parts of the course show up in almost every paper. If you focus on these first, you get a fast score boost:
- States of matter (solid, liquid, gas, changes of state)
- Atoms, molecules, and simple structure
- The Periodic Table
- Bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic)
- Chemical reactions and equations
- Acids, bases, and salts
- Electrolysis
- Rates of reaction
- Energy changes in reactions
- Simple organic chemistry (alkanes, alkenes, fuels, polymers)
- Calculations with moles and concentration
You do not need to be perfect in every tiny subtopic to gain a high grade. Instead, pick one of these big areas, look at how it appears in the syllabus, then search for exam questions on that exact idea.
Websites with structured topic questions, such as these IGCSE Chemistry revision notes and questions, help you practice the most common styles quickly.
Understand, Do Not Just Memorize Definitions
Many students try to memorize definitions word for word, then forget them in the exam. A better plan is to understand the idea behind each key term and say it in clear, simple language.
Important words that come up a lot include:
- Element
- Compound
- Mixture
- Ion
- Mole
- Catalyst
- Neutralization
- Oxidation
- Reduction
Write your own short definitions, as if you are explaining to a younger student. For example:
- Element: a pure substance made of only one type of atom.
- Compound: a substance made when atoms of different elements join together chemically.
Then turn each definition into a flashcard. On one side, write the word. On the other side, write your short, exam-style meaning.
You can also compare your notes with student-made summaries such as these syllabus notes for Chemistry 2025. Use them to check that your own wording is correct but keep your language simple.
Use Your Periodic Table as a Powerful Shortcut
Many students forget that the Periodic Table is your best helper in the exam. It is not just a list of elements, it is a set of clues.
Here is how it saves time:
- Atomic number tells you the number of protons.
- Mass number helps you work out the number of neutrons.
- Group number (for Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 0) often tells you the valency and common ion charge.
- Position tells you if an element is a metal (left side) or non-metal (right side).
For example:
- Group 1 metals usually form 1+ ions like Na⁺.
- Group 7 elements (the halogens) usually form 1− ions like Cl⁻.
- If an element is on the left, it is probably a metal. If it is on the top right, it is probably a non-metal.
During the exam, keep your finger on the table for any question about bonding, ions, or trends. Students who use the table actively often pick the right answer faster and avoid simple mistakes.
Fix Common IGCSE Chemistry Mistakes That Lose Easy Marks
You might already know enough Chemistry to get a higher grade. The problem is small errors that cut away marks. If you fix these, your score can jump without learning new content.
Read the Question Slowly and Underline Key Words
Many lost marks come from misreading the question. The command word tells you the type of answer the examiner wants.
Common command words:
| Command word | What you should do |
|---|---|
| State | Give a short, clear fact or answer. |
| Describe | Say what you see or what happens. |
| Explain | Give reasons using scientific ideas. |
| Calculate | Show working and give a final number + unit. |
Before you write, underline:
- The command word
- Numbers and units
- Words like “two reasons” or “one difference”
Example, for an observation question:
- Wrong style: “The mass decreases because gas escapes.” (This explains.)
- Right style: “The mass decreases.” (This describes what you observe.)
For a calculation, always underline the data, then write the formula before you start.
Stop Mixing Up Physical and Chemical Changes
This is a classic exam trap. A physical change is a change in state or form. No new substance forms and it can usually be reversed.
Examples:
- Melting ice to water
- Boiling water to steam
- Dissolving salt in water (the salt can be recovered)
A chemical change forms a new substance. It is usually hard to reverse.
Examples:
- Burning magnesium to form magnesium oxide
- Rusting of iron
- Reacting acid with metal to produce hydrogen
When you see a question about reversible or irreversible changes, think, “Is a new substance made?” If yes, it is chemical. This simple test helps you pick the right choice and write stronger explanations.
Balance Equations Without Changing Formulas
Balancing equations looks scary until you follow the same steps each time.
A simple method:
- Write the correct formulas for all reactants and products.
- Count the number of each atom on both sides.
- Change the big numbers in front of formulas (coefficients) until they match.
- Never change small numbers inside formulas (subscripts).
Example:
Unbalanced:
H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
Step:
- Left: H = 2, O = 2
- Right: H = 2, O = 1
To fix oxygen, put a 2 in front of H₂O:
H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Now count again:
- Left: H = 2, O = 2
- Right: H = 4, O = 2
Hydrogen is wrong, so add a 2 in front of H₂:
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Balanced: H = 4, O = 2 on both sides.
Common mistake: writing H₂O₂ instead of 2H₂O. That changes the substance, so the equation is no longer correct.
Remember Charges and Ions in Electrolysis Questions
Electrolysis often feels confusing, but one rule makes it much easier:
- Positive ions (cations) go to the negative electrode (cathode).
- Negative ions (anions) go to the positive electrode (anode).
For a simple example, consider molten lead bromide (PbBr₂):
- At the cathode (negative): Pb²⁺ gains electrons and forms Pb.
Pb²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Pb - At the anode (positive): 2Br⁻ lose electrons and form Br₂.
2Br⁻ → Br₂ + 2e⁻
In aqueous solutions, you also need to think about water and competing ions, but the same rule about charges still holds. If you train yourself to write the charges next to each ion, it is much easier to decide what forms at each electrode.
Always Include Units and State Symbols in Your Answers
Units and state symbols feel small, but they cost marks if you forget them.
Common missing units:
- Mass in g (grams)
- Volume in cm³
- Amount in mol
Common state symbols:
- (s) solid
- (l) liquid
- (g) gas
- (aq) aqueous solution
When you write an equation or final answer, add a quick “unit and state check” in your head. If you know the mark scheme mentions units or state symbols, that last 10-second check can save one or two marks.
Study Smarter: Simple IGCSE Chemistry Revision Routines You Can Start Today
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You do not need 5-hour study days to improve. You need clear, short routines that you can repeat often.
If you feel behind, a focused plan like this IGCSE chemistry rescue plan for 2025 exams can give you structure. Then you can adjust it to your own schedule.
If you want more guided help, you can also join structured IGCSE Chemistry prep courses such as the programs at Test Prep Istanbul.
Use 25-Minute Study Sprints for One Topic at a Time
Long, unfocused revision feels tiring and gives weak results. Short sprints work better.
Try this:
- Pick a small topic, for example “acids and bases” or “types of bonding”.
- Set a timer for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Work on only that topic, no phone, no messages.
- Take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat for another small topic.
In each sprint, you can read a short section, make notes, and try 3 to 5 questions. This keeps your brain fresh and makes it easier to start studying, even on busy days.
Make Fast Summary Notes, Diagrams, and Flashcards
A long chapter can turn into one powerful summary page.
On that page, include:
- Key ideas in short phrases
- Important equations
- Simple labeled diagrams
For example, for distillation, draw the flask, condenser, and thermometer, and label where the vapor and liquid go. For electrolysis, sketch a beaker, two electrodes, and arrows showing which ions move to each side.
Flashcards work well for:
- Definitions
- Common ions and their charges
- Color changes (for example, copper(II) sulfate solution is blue)
- Simple reaction patterns
You can also compare your notes with online topic pages or flashcards from sites like Save My Exams IGCSE Chemistry, but keep your own notes simple and personal.
Practice Calculations Until the Method Feels Automatic
Many students fear mole questions, but they follow patterns.
A clear method:
- Write the formula you need, for example:
moles = mass ÷ molar mass - Plug in the numbers with units.
- Do the calculation.
- Check if your answer is sensible and in the right unit.
Do this for:
- Moles from mass
- Concentration (moles or mass in a given volume)
- Reacting masses from equations
Repeat similar questions until you can do them without looking at notes. When the method feels automatic, you gain speed and confidence in the exam.
Teach a Friend or Speak Out Loud to Check Your Understanding
If you can explain a topic in simple words, you probably understand it quite well.
You can:
- Teach a friend or classmate one small topic, like “strong vs weak acids”.
- Explain a past-paper question to a parent.
- Talk to yourself in the mirror and pretend you are the teacher.
As you speak, notice where you get stuck or confused. Those are the parts you need to review. This saves time because you focus on real weak spots, not the entire book.
Use Past Papers and Mark Schemes To Boost Your IGCSE Chemistry Score
Past papers are your best tool if you use them in the right way. They show you patterns in questions, not just your current score.
You can find full sets of questions and answers on the official Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry past papers and mark schemes page, or on archive sites like Chemistry 0620 IGCSE past papers with mark schemes.
Start With One Past Paper and Time Yourself
Do not wait until you finish the syllabus to try a paper. Start with one that matches the current syllabus.
Sit down with:
- A printed or on-screen paper
- A pen, calculator, and Periodic Table
- A timer
A simple timing rule is about one minute per mark. So for a 50-mark paper, aim for about 50 minutes.
Try to treat it like a real exam. No phone, no checking notes in the middle. This helps you feel more comfortable on the actual test day.
Use the Mark Scheme to Learn How Examiners Think
After you finish a paper, do not just count your marks. Study the official mark scheme.
For each question:
- Compare your answer to the mark scheme.
- Highlight the key words or phrases they give marks for.
- Note if they want terms like “neutralization” or “exothermic”, not just everyday words.
Then write one short “model answer” in your own words for any question you got wrong. Over time, you will learn the style and keywords examiners like.
Target Your Weak Topics Instead of Redoing Only Easy Questions
Many students keep doing topics they already find easy. It feels good, but your score does not move much.
Instead:
- Keep a small list of mistakes after each paper.
- Next to each mistake, write the topic, for example “electrolysis” or “rates of reaction”.
- Spend your next revision sprint on one of those weak topics.
- Redo the same question one or two days later to see if you improved.
This “mistake list” helps you turn every error into a learning point, not just a low mark.
Practice Structured and Practical Style Questions, Not Only Multiple Choice
Multiple choice questions are quick to mark, but they do not train you to write full answers.
You also need practice with:
- Long structured questions
- Data analysis questions with graphs and tables
- Practical-style questions about experiments, methods, and safety
These often test how well you understand real lab work, such as titrations, gas tests, and simple separation methods. Make sure you practice writing clear steps and reasons, not just picking letters.
Easy Exam-Day Habits That Can Lift Your IGCSE Chemistry Grade
On exam day, your mindset and habits can gain you extra marks, even if you do not know every question. Small, calm choices matter.
Plan Your Time and Answer the Questions You Know First
When you open the paper:
- Check the total marks.
- Aim for about one minute per mark.
- Start with the questions you understand well.
This does not mean skipping half the paper. It means you quickly circle or mark hard questions, answer the clear ones first, then go back. That builds confidence and avoids running out of time on easier marks.
Show Your Working Clearly in Every Calculation
Examiners often give method marks. That means you can earn marks even if your final answer is wrong, as long as your steps make sense.
For each calculation:
- Write the formula.
- Substitute the numbers with units.
- Show each step to the answer.
This also helps you catch your own mistakes. If you have time, you can check each step instead of redoing the whole question.
Check for Simple Errors Before You Hand In Your Paper
Use the last 5 to 10 minutes for a “simple error check”. Look for:
- Units in every calculation
- Balanced symbols and numbers in equations
- State symbols, if the question needs them
- The correct number of answers, for example “Give two reasons”
- At least some attempt at every question
Many students lose marks from empty lines and missing units, not from hard theory. A calm final check can turn a borderline grade into a stronger one.
Conclusion: Raise Your IGCSE Chemistry Score Starting Today
You do not need a perfect memory to score well in IGCSE Chemistry. You need to know the main topics, avoid the common mistakes that waste marks, build simple study routines, and use past papers with their mark schemes in a smart way.
Start small. Pick one big topic, such as acids and bases, and one past paper to try this week. Use study sprints, short notes, and spoken explanations to deepen your understanding.
With steady practice, clear methods, and smart exam habits, your Chemistry grade can move up faster than you think. Take one tip from this guide and use it today, then add more over the next few days. Your future self on results day will be glad you did.
