Why is IGCSE Combined Science so difficult?

The IGCSE Combined Science course is great prep for further study in high school and beyond. While it is less in-depth than the single IGCSE science courses, it provides a solid foundation for each science as well as a comprehensive picture of how they are interrelated. However, this actually makes doing well in the course challenging in its own right: keeping up and staying on track in all three sciences, then learning to apply this broad range of knowledge to the exams can be an uphill battle. Fortunately, BartyED’s IGCSE Science tutors are here to share some tips on how to improve in IGCSE Combined Science.

Tip #1: Make the most of IGCSE Combined Science tests and past papers

#1: Keep track of your mistakes

When revising with IGCSE Combined Science past papers, the most important thing is to keep track of where you slip up. Working with IGCSE Combined Science past papers is good as it trains your exam technique, and keeping track of mistakes is a good indicator of where your conceptual knowledge is lacking. For example, if you mislabelled a diagram of the central structure of a leaf, this may be because you need to consolidate your knowledge of photosynthesis and its functions.

This is also important for tests you do at school. Try and ask your teacher to share the IGCSE Combined Science mark scheme or correct answers with you for each test, so you can understand exactly how you need to improve. Deeper inspection may reveal a pattern, such as a lack of precise language in short answers, lack of consolidation of content, or trouble interpreting processed data. This is the first step to success in IGCSE Combined Science.

Tip #2: Use the IGCSE Combined Science assessment criteria

#2: Check out the rubric

Whether you are doing Core or Extended, you will (typically) have three IGCSE Science exam papers to sit. This includes a multiple-choice paper, short-answer paper, and experimental skills paper. To improve in weaker areas means lots of practice, but a big part of the IGCSE Combined Science course is understanding the question type. This also means understanding the assessment criteria for the topics, and how students are tested for their knowledge. For example, complex stoichiometric calculations will likely come up in the short-answer and experimental skills papers, and not so much in the multiple-choice paper. Simpler physics-based math problems may come up in the multiple-choice section, whereas the short-answer paper will emphasise theoretical knowledge.

By referring to the rubric, you can narrow down what examiners typically look for. This can help with IGCSE Combined Science revision, as well as expression of keywords and written responses on scientific explanation.

Tip #3: Reach out to IGCSE Combined Science experts

#3: Ask for IGCSE Combined Science help if you need it!

With a subject that tests an inordinately broad range of theoretical, practical, and mathematical knowledge, the difficulty of improving independently cannot be understated. Whether it is asking your teacher for more support in school, asking more questions in class, or reaching out to good IGCSE Combined Science tutors for targeted support, make sure you take control of your studies. Being able to do this proactively is crucial to getting top marks in the course.

IGCSE students tend to find Combined Science quite difficult. We hope that these tips will help! Find out more about our IGCSE Combined Science tutoring programmes on our website here. If you are ready for personalised support, contact a BartyED IGCSE Combined Science tutor today!