IGCSE Combined Science: Syllabus, Papers and Revision Guide
What Is IGCSE Combined Science?
IGCSE Combined Science integrates the most foundational topics from the IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics syllabi into one course. The Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science course (0653), which this blog post will focus on, is described as a ‘single award’ subject. This means that, while learners study all three sciences, they receive one grade only. Other courses, notably Edexcel IGCSE Science (4SD0), are ‘double award’ and, consequently, cover more content across the three disciplines.
Exam Papers and Format
IGCSE Combined Science students will take either the Core or Extended subject content. However, regardless of whether they are studying the Core or Extended course, all candidates will sit three exam papers: one multiple choice paper; one theory paper; and one practical paper. Core learners will take papers 1, 3, and either 5 or 6; Extended learners sit papers 2, 4, and either 5 or 6.
Paper |
Tier |
Type |
Duration |
Marks |
Percentage of grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Core |
Multiple Choice |
45 minutes |
40 marks |
30% |
2 |
Extended |
Multiple Choice |
45 minutes |
40 marks |
30% |
3 |
Core |
Theory |
1 hour 15 minutes |
80 marks |
50% |
4 |
Extended |
Theory |
1 hour 15 minutes |
80 marks |
50% |
5 |
Core & Extended |
Practical |
1 hour 15 minutes |
40 marks |
20% |
6 |
Core & Extended |
Practical |
1 hour |
40 marks |
20% |
Core vs Extended: Which Tier Should You Enter?
The decision between Core and Extended should be taken carefully. The assumption is that the Extended course is harder and while that may be so—it does cover additional supplemental content—it offers students the chance to unlock higher grades that are out of reach in Core.
To make an informed choice, students should take into account a number of factors. First, it is important to set a target grade. What is it that you want to achieve in IGCSE Combined Science? Answering this question will help guide candidates towards either Core or Extended. So too will speaking with their teacher, who should be able to make an informed and balanced recommendation. Finally, it can be good to consider plans for the future. How might sitting the Core or Extended course influence later studies, at either A-Level or at university?
How to Revise for IGCSE Combined Science
Phase 1 (6 or more months out)
Those taking IGCSE Combined Science should be aware that the Cambridge website hosts the 2025-2027 syllabus and the 2028-2029 syllabus. Students can begin their revision by reviewing the guide appropriate to their exam year and build topic summaries per syllabus point based on the official syllabus checklist.
Phase 2 (3 to 6 months):
Next, candidates are recommended to create flashcards, either using digital or physical flashcards, to stimulate active recall. Reading over notes, while beneficial in its own way, will not be as effective as engaging active recall. Moreover, learners should utilise past papers and grade themselves against the supplied rubrics and mark schemes. This way they can get a sense of the types of questions asked and where marks are lost and won.
Phase 3 (6 to 12 weeks):
At this stage, as the exams are closing in, IGCSE Combined Science candidates should be regularly completing timed full exam papers. This will help to consolidate exam technique, making sure students can complete each paper in the set time. Once more, official mark schemes should be used to ensure accurate scores.
Phase 4 (Final 2 weeks):
The final stretch before exams should focus on content consolidation, reviewing key definitions, and refining exam technique. This period combines all of the work up to this point.
Common IGCSE Combined Science Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The IGCSE Combined Science course is, indeed, a challenge. To make a comprehensive list of all the areas of the course that students find most difficult would be a significant task unto itself, particularly as every learner is different and, so, has unique strengths and weaknesses. However, there are certain areas of the course that seem to cause Combined Science learners to lose marks.
For example, students often lose marks when discussing osmosis, a concept found in Biology. The syllabus describes osmosis as the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane. Yet, students will often describe the process in terms of concentration of solute rather than water potential. Such an error will result in marks lost.
Similarly, in Chemistry, candidates commonly drop marks because of a failure to indicate the until value in each step of their workings. So, when completing a mole calculation, for instance, it is crucial that students make note of the units in each step.
Finally, regarding the Physics portion of the course, a lack of specificity in terms of language loses marks for students. Rather than describing current as directly proportional to voltage, which is what the mark scheme is looking for, IGCSE Combined Science candidates may write something simply stating that when voltage increases, current increases. While this is not too far off the mark scheme's preferred language, it can cause marks to be lost nonetheless.
Get Expert Help with IGCSE Combined Science
The IGCSE Combined Science course is uniquely challenging in its mix of syllabi. Even the most enthusiastic science learners can struggle due to the mixture of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics content.
At BartyED, we offer comprehensive support for IGCSE Combined Science students. Each lesson is tailored to the specific needs of the student to ensure greater learning development. Our team of expert IGCSE science tutors have a wealth of experience working with students with a wide variety of learning profiles. So, if you think that you or your child could benefit from the guidance of a BartyED IGCSE tutor, contact us today by phone, email, or WhatsApp, or by completing the contact form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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IGCSE Combined Science is a unique course type that combines the fundamentals of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics syllabi into one course.
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The Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science course is a single award subject, meaning that students receive one grade. Those taking the Edexcel version of the course can achieve a double award, however.