Same syllabus as Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620, with 9–1 grading instead of A*–G
Exam board: Cambridge · Level: IGCSE · Syllabus code: 0971 · Grading: 9-1
What it is: Same syllabus as Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620, with 9–1 grading instead of A*–G
Best for: UK-regulated schools and parents who prefer the 9–1 scale; identical content otherwise
Leads to: A Level Chemistry, A Level Biology, A Level Physics, university science programmes
Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Chemistry 0971 is the same syllabus as 0620 — identical topics, identical exam papers, identical depth — but with results expressed on the 9–1 grading scale instead of A*–G. UK-regulated international schools usually offer 0971; other schools mix the two depending on parent and university preference. Universities and employers see both as equivalent.
Pairs well with: Biology · Physics · Mathematics
Difficulty: 3/5
Identical difficulty to 0620 — content is the same.
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% |
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No — same syllabus, same papers, same questions. Only the grading scale differs (9–1 vs A*–G).
Whichever your school offers. Universities recognise both as equivalent.