IGCSE Chemistry Study Guide & Review

Prepare for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 by translating Core or Supplement knowledge among particles, structures, equations, calculations, observations and practical evidence across the correct three-paper assessment route.

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  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

How to study Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 tests translation between chemical representations. Build explanations from particles or bonding to structure, forces and observable properties, then express reactions through formulae, state symbols and balanced equations. Extended means Core plus Supplement across the course. Connect bonding to stoichiometry and use the same chemical model when explaining electrolysis or reaction rates.

Reconstruct the particles, equation, conditions and observations in Concept and retrieve definitions, formulae, transformations, tests and calculation setups in Mastery without notes. Apply them through the Question Bank using unfamiliar data and experiments. Classify the first lost decision as terminology, representation, equation, mole ratio, unit, command word or practical reasoning, repair that exact Topic and retry a nearby problem. Integrate apparatus, precision and evaluation throughout content study.

Practise 0620 Chemistry by response behaviour

Use distinct routines for structure-property explanations, equations and calculations, reaction evidence, organic transformations and practical or qualitative analysis.

Link particles to properties

States, diffusion, ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, giant structures and conductivity

Draw or describe the particles, bonding and arrangement first, then connect forces or mobile charge carriers to the observable property. Transfer the same reasoning to an unfamiliar substance and check that each step explains why, rather than restating a memorised property list.

Practise bonding

Build equations and calculations

Formulae, state and ionic equations, moles, gases, solutions, titration, yield, purity and bond energy

Balance the equation before identifying the chemical ratio, write the relationship, convert units and substitute with visible working. Audit units, significant figures and chemical plausibility before accepting calculator output, then explain what the numerical result means in the reaction context.

Practise Stoichiometry

Reason from reaction evidence

Electrolysis, rates, equilibrium, redox, acids, bases, salts and changing conditions

Predict the product or observation, justify it through ions, collisions, equilibrium or electron transfer, and write the relevant equation. Change one condition or supply new data, then rebuild the explanation rather than reusing an unchanged memorised paragraph.

Practise reaction rates

Map organic transformations

Names, displayed formulae, functional groups, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, acids, esters and polymers

Move from name to structure, functional group, reaction type, condition and product. Recreate one route in both directions, then diagnose valency, displayed-formula, reagent, condition and polymer repeat-unit errors instead of memorising isolated compound lists.

Practise Organic Chemistry

Plan, observe and evaluate

Rates, salt preparation, titration, chromatography, separation, ion and gas tests, temperature change and data

Select and justify apparatus, variables and ranges; predict precise observations; record a table or graph; conclude from evidence; identify error and propose one specific improvement. Use supplied qualitative-analysis notes to choose and interpret tests, not as a substitute for chemical reasoning.

Practise experimental skills

Where to start

Start from a known Topic or diagnose whether the first weakness is terminology, representation, stoichiometry, data interpretation, command words or experimental reasoning.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact route, confirm Core or Supplement scope and identify the missing particle model, equation, calculation, observation or practical decision.

    Browse the Chemistry map

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Use mixed 0620 questions to separate recall gaps from representation, stoichiometry, unfamiliar data, command-word and experimental errors.

    Start a Chemistry diagnostic

Choose the right 0620 starting point

  1. Explain the chemical model

    Reconstruct particles or structure, the equation, conditions and expected observations, including units and state symbols wherever they carry chemical meaning.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve without notes

    Reproduce definitions, formulae, balanced equations, reaction conditions, qualitative tests and calculation setups before checking notes or calculator output.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply, classify and repair

    Answer an unfamiliar calculation, observation, dataset or experiment, locate the first unsupported decision and revisit only the responsible Topic or skill.

    Practise 0620 questions

Explore the 2026–2028 Cambridge 0620 syllabus

Cambridge publishes 12 Chemistry content Topics with Core and Supplement statements. EduNinja adds one cross-cutting assessed-scientific-skills navigation group, so the map shows 13 local groups and 52 Topic routes; open one Topic and confirm the statement-level scope for your route.

13
syllabus groups
52
mapped topics

1. States of matter

Open unit questions
1.1 Solids, liquids and gases1.2 Diffusion

2. Atoms, elements and compounds

Open unit questions
2.1 Elements, compounds and mixtures2.2 Atomic structure and the Periodic Table2.3 Isotopes2.4 Ions and ionic bonds2.5 Simple molecules and covalent bonds2.6 Giant covalent structures2.7 Metallic bonding

3. Stoichiometry

Open unit questions
3.1 Formulae3.2 Relative masses of atoms and molecules3.3 The mole and the Avogadro constant

4. Electrochemistry

Open unit questions
4.1 Electrolysis4.2 Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells

5. Chemical energetics

Open unit questions
5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions

6. Chemical reactions

Open unit questions
6.1 Physical and chemical changes6.2 Rate of reaction6.3 Reversible reactions and equilibrium6.4 Redox

7. Acids, bases and salts

Open unit questions
7.1 The characteristic properties of acids and bases7.2 Oxides7.3 Preparation of salts

8. The Periodic Table

Open unit questions
8.1 Arrangement of elements8.2 Group I properties8.3 Group VII properties8.4 Transition elements8.5 Noble gases

9. Metals

Open unit questions
9.1 Properties of metals9.2 Uses of metals9.3 Alloys and their properties9.4 Reactivity series9.5 Corrosion of metals9.6 Extraction of metals

10. Chemistry of the environment

Open unit questions
10.1 Water10.2 Fertilisers10.3 Air quality and climate

11. Organic chemistry

Open unit questions
11.1 Formulae, functional groups and terminology11.2 Naming organic compounds11.3 Fuels11.4 Alkanes11.5 Alkenes11.6 Alcohols11.7 Carboxylic acids11.8 Polymers

12. Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

Open unit questions
12.1 Experimental design12.2 Acid–base titrations12.3 Chromatography12.4 Separation and purification12.5 Identification of ions and gases

13. Assessed scientific skills

Open unit questions
13.1 Handling information and problem-solving13.2 Experimental skills and investigations13.3 Mathematical and data-presentation skills

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 assessment routes

Every candidate takes three papers: Core uses Papers 1 and 3, Extended uses Papers 2 and 4, and both routes add either Paper 5 or Paper 6. The practical alternatives assess the same AO3 skills and contexts.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core)40 compulsory four-option questions on Core40 marksThe Core multiple-choice paper assesses AO1 knowledge and AO2 handling of information or problem-solving. Calculators may be used throughout the Chemistry examination.How to prepare: Retrieve Core principles quickly, then reject distractors using a specific particle model, equation, observation, ratio or unit. For every error, name the chemical reason the selected option fails and repair that Topic instead of treating the result as a timing issue alone.45 minutes30%
Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended)40 compulsory four-option questions on Core and Supplement40 marksThe Extended multiple-choice paper assesses AO1 and AO2 across Core plus Supplement. A Periodic Table is printed in the paper and calculators are permitted.How to prepare: Mix precise recall with equations, linked calculations and unfamiliar representations. Check the balanced relationship and units before using calculator output, then diagnose each distractor through the missing chemical principle rather than memorising the correct option.45 minutes30%
Paper 3: Theory (Core)Compulsory short-answer and structured Core questions80 marksThe Core theory paper assesses AO1 and AO2 through compulsory short-answer and structured questions, including equations, calculations, observations, data and practical contexts.How to prepare: Practise exact definitions, balanced equations, shown calculation steps and observation-to-conclusion reasoning within Core scope. Match the response to the command word, retain units and state symbols where required and connect every macroscopic observation to an appropriate chemical explanation.1 hour 15 minutes50%
Paper 4: Theory (Extended)Compulsory short-answer and structured Core and Supplement questions80 marksThe Extended theory paper assesses AO1 and AO2 across Core plus Supplement through equations, structures, calculations, data interpretation and unfamiliar chemical or experimental applications.How to prepare: Build multi-step responses linking particles, structure, equation and calculation, then apply them to unfamiliar data or industrial and experimental contexts. Show the chemical ratio, conversions and units before interpreting the result, and use exact terminology rather than approximate everyday language.1 hour 15 minutes50%
Paper 5: Practical TestLaboratory experiments assessing AO340 marksCandidates conduct laboratory work involving apparatus, planning, precise measurements and observations, tables, graphs, qualitative analysis, conclusions, error evaluation and method improvement.How to prepare: Rehearse safe apparatus choice, variables, ranges, precision, tables, graphs and qualitative observations through hands-on work. Use the supplied analysis notes to select and interpret tests, then link each conclusion to evidence and each improvement to the named source of error.1 hour 15 minutes20%
Paper 6: Alternative to PracticalWritten scenarios assessing AO3; no experiment is performed in the exam40 marksCandidates answer written questions on the same experimental skills and contexts as Paper 5 using diagrams, procedures, observations, results, qualitative-analysis notes and planning or evaluation tasks.How to prepare: Practise selecting apparatus, completing methods, predicting observations, processing tables or graphs and evaluating evidence from written scenarios. Because the AO3 scope matches Paper 5, develop genuine practical understanding and use the supplied qualitative notes as evidence tools, not isolated facts.1 hour20%

SourceCambridge International Education · Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for examinations in 2026, 2027 and 20280620 · 2026–2028 · Version 1 · September 2023

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 questions

All candidates study Core. Extended learners study Core plus Supplement and take Papers 2 and 4, while Core candidates take Papers 1 and 3. Core offers grades C–G; Extended offers A*–G. Supplement statements occur throughout many official Topics, so one local Extended-labelled row is not the complete Extended syllabus.

Core candidates take Papers 1 and 3; Extended candidates take Papers 2 and 4. Every learner then takes either Paper 5 Practical Test or Paper 6 Alternative to Practical, making three papers in total. Confirm your tier, paper variant and practical alternative with your school or exams officer before planning timed practice.

No. They are alternative 20% practical components, and you take exactly one. Cambridge states that both assess the same AO3 experimental skills and contexts, so Paper 6 is not a reduced or easier Chemistry route. Your centre chooses the available alternative; your preparation still needs planning, apparatus, observations, data, qualitative analysis and evaluation.

Calculators may be used in all parts of the examination, including multiple-choice papers. Notes for qualitative analysis are provided for both Paper 5 and Paper 6. You must still select the appropriate test, describe the method, recognise the observation and interpret the result. Cambridge evidence does not establish a separate general formula sheet.

Cambridge's official syllabus contains 12 numbered Chemistry content Topics. EduNinja preserves those and adds one navigation group for assessed scientific skills: information handling, experimental investigations, mathematics and data presentation. It is a cross-cutting practice layer, not an official thirteenth content Topic, and those skills can be assessed through any chemical context.