British curriculum chemistry — atoms, bonds, reactions, lab work — at IGCSE level
Exam board: Cambridge · Level: IGCSE · Syllabus code: 0620 · Grading: A*-G
What it is: British curriculum chemistry — atoms, bonds, reactions, lab work — at IGCSE level
Best for: Future medics, engineers, pharmacists, scientists; also strong general STEM foundation
Leads to: A Level Chemistry, A Level Biology, A Level Physics, university science programmes
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is the international version of GCSE Chemistry, taught in over 140 countries. Students learn the fundamentals of how matter is built and how it changes — from atomic structure and bonding through to organic chemistry, electrochemistry, and the chemistry of metals.
The course splits roughly evenly between theory and practical work. Students develop scientific reasoning by interpreting data, designing simple experiments, and learning to communicate results clearly. The Extended tier (papers 2 and 4) reaches deeper into stoichiometry, reaction mechanisms, and quantitative analysis; Core tier provides a solid foundation without the most demanding material.
For most students at top-tier MENA schools, IGCSE Chemistry is taken in Years 10–11 and is a prerequisite for A Level Chemistry. It is the most common path into A Level sciences and is required (or strongly recommended) for university courses in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chemical engineering, and most pure science degrees.
The subject is challenging in a different way from Biology or Physics: it demands fluency across calculation (mole calculations, concentrations), abstract concepts (bonding, electron arrangement), and laboratory technique simultaneously. Students who enjoy seeing patterns and solving puzzles tend to find it rewarding; students who struggle with abstract symbolic thinking can find it frustrating in places.
Pairs well with: Biology · Physics · Mathematics · Additional Mathematics
Difficulty: 3/5
Challenging but accessible. The IGCSE → A Level jump is significant (especially organic chemistry). Most common stumbling block: mole calculations.
Core (papers 1+3) or Extended (papers 2+4); plus practical paper 5 OR alternative-to-practical paper 6
| Paper | Name | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Choice — Core | 45 min | 40 | 30% |
| 2 | Multiple Choice — Extended | 45 min | 40 | 30% |
| 3 | Theory — Core | 75 min | 80 | 50% |
| 4 | Theory — Extended | 75 min | 80 | 50% |
| 5 | Practical Test | 75 min | 40 | 20% |
| 6 | Alternative to Practical | 60 min | 40 | 20% |
Students sit either Core (1+3+5 or 1+3+6) capped at grade C, or Extended (2+4+5 or 2+4+6) eligible for grades A*–G.
74+ verified Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry tutors available on IG Academy.
In Egypt prices range from 200-600 EGP/hour; in Saudi Arabia and the UAE typical rates are 100-250 SAR/AED per hour. Online sessions are usually cheaper than in-person.
Both work. Online is convenient and tends to be cheaper, but practical-paper preparation benefits from some in-person sessions if possible.
Different kinds of difficulty. Chemistry has more abstract concepts (bonding, atomic theory) and more calculation; Biology has more memorisation. Strong math students often find Chemistry easier.
Possible but not recommended at Extended tier. Mole calculations, stoichiometry, and physics-flavoured topics need confident algebra.
Same syllabus and same exam questions. Only the grading scale differs — 0620 grades A*–G, 0971 grades 9–1.
Cambridge offers two options: paper 5 (real practical) or paper 6 (Alternative-to-Practical, written). Most international schools choose paper 6.
Cambridge has the broadest global recognition. Edexcel embeds practical assessment in the theory papers. OxfordAQA is newest with the smallest footprint.