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IGCSE Chemistry Tuition
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What is IGCSE Chemistry? Why study it?
IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is an internationally recognized qualification designed for secondary school students. The course provides an understanding of the chemical principles that underpin both the physical world and biological systems. It covers essential concepts like the structure of atoms, chemical reactions, and the behavior of different materials.
Studying IGCSE Chemistry equips students with critical analytical skills and a deeper understanding of the natural world. It lays a solid foundation for further studies in science, medicine, engineering, and various other fields that require a strong grasp of chemical principles
Your track record in the IGCSE Chemistry Tuition course is one of the key factors that will determine your college acceptances. Work with certified IGCSE Chemistry Tuition Examiners to get that 7/7.
Speak to an advisor todayIGCSE Chemistry Syllabus: Topics + Overview
The IGCSE Chemistry syllabus covers a broad range of topics. Below is a detailed breakdown of the topics covered, along with the recommended learning hours, content description, and prior knowledge needed.
Topic
Core + Extended
Only Extended
States of Matter
Recommended Learning 6 hours
Content Description
Understanding the properties of solids, liquids, and gases; changes of state and kinetic particle theory.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
In-depth study of kinetic theory applied to changes of state, heating, and cooling curves.
(5-10% weight)
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Content Description
Study of atomic structure, isotopes, and chemical bonding (ionic, covalent, and metallic).
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Detailed exploration of bonding and the structure of atoms beyond basic core concepts.
(10-15% weight)
Stoichiometry
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Content Description
Understanding chemical equations, relative atomic/molecular masses, and the mole concept.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Advanced stoichiometric calculations, including limiting reactants and gas volumes.
(10-15% weight)
Biological Molecules
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Content Description
Understanding the structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Detailed study of DNA structure and function.
(5-10% weight)
Electrochemistry
Recommended Learning 7 Hours
Content Description
Study of electrolytes, electrolysis, and basic applications like electroplating.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Detailed study of electrochemical cells, including redox reactions and fuel cells.
(10-15% weight)
Chemical Energetics
Recommended Learning 6 Hours
Content Description
Exploration of exothermic and endothermic reactions, including basic energy changes.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
In-depth calculations of enthalpy changes and bond energy calculations.
(5-10% weight)
Chemical Reactions
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Content Description
Study of reaction rates, reversible reactions, and redox reactions.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Application of collision theory to rate changes and equilibrium shifts in reactions.
(10-15% weight)
Acids, Bases, and Salts
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Content Description
Properties of acids and bases, pH scale, and preparation of salts.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Detailed understanding of strong vs. weak acids/bases and titration calculations.
(10-15% weight)
The Periodic Table
Recommended Learning 6 Hours
Content Description
Study of periodic trends, group properties, and transition elements.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
In-depth analysis of periodic trends and predictions of chemical behavior.
(5-10% weight)
Metals
Recommended Learning 7 Hours
Content Description
Properties, reactivity, extraction, and uses of metals.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Advanced understanding of metallurgy and the reactivity series, including displacement reactions.
(10-15% weight)
Chemistry of the Environment
Recommended Learning 5 Hours
Content Description
Study of water treatment, air pollution, and environmental impact.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Detailed exploration of the chemistry behind pollution control and environmental protection.
(5-10% weight)
Organic Chemistry
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Content Description
Study of hydrocarbons, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and polymers.
(10-15% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Advanced understanding of organic reactions, mechanisms, and synthetic pathways.
(10-15% weight)
Experimental Techniques and Chemical Analysis
Recommended Learning
Content Description
Study of separation techniques, qualitative analysis, and titration.
(5-10% weight)
What you’ll learn:
Advanced techniques for qualitative analysis and accurate titration methods.
(5-10% weight)
States of Matter
Topic
Recommended Learning 6 hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Understanding the properties of solids, liquids, and gases; changes of state and kinetic particle theory.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
In-depth study of kinetic theory applied to changes of state, heating, and cooling curves.
(5-10% weight)
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Topic
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of atomic structure, isotopes, and chemical bonding (ionic, covalent, and metallic).
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Detailed exploration of bonding and the structure of atoms beyond basic core concepts.
(10-15% weight)
Stoichiometry
Topic
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Understanding chemical equations, relative atomic/molecular masses, and the mole concept.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Advanced stoichiometric calculations, including limiting reactants and gas volumes.
(10-15% weight)
Biological Molecules
Topic
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Understanding the structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Detailed study of DNA structure and function.
(5-10% weight)
Electrochemistry
Topic
Recommended Learning 7 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of electrolytes, electrolysis, and basic applications like electroplating.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Detailed study of electrochemical cells, including redox reactions and fuel cells.
(10-15% weight)
Chemical Energetics
Topic
Recommended Learning 6 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Exploration of exothermic and endothermic reactions, including basic energy changes.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
In-depth calculations of enthalpy changes and bond energy calculations.
(5-10% weight)
Chemical Reactions
Topic
Recommended Learning 10 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of reaction rates, reversible reactions, and redox reactions.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Application of collision theory to rate changes and equilibrium shifts in reactions.
(10-15% weight)
Acids, Bases, and Salts
Topic
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Properties of acids and bases, pH scale, and preparation of salts.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Detailed understanding of strong vs. weak acids/bases and titration calculations.
(10-15% weight)
The Periodic Table
Topic
Recommended Learning 6 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of periodic trends, group properties, and transition elements.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
In-depth analysis of periodic trends and predictions of chemical behavior.
(5-10% weight)
Metals
Topic
Recommended Learning 7 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Properties, reactivity, extraction, and uses of metals.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Advanced understanding of metallurgy and the reactivity series, including displacement reactions.
(10-15% weight)
Chemistry of the Environment
Topic
Recommended Learning 5 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of water treatment, air pollution, and environmental impact.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Detailed exploration of the chemistry behind pollution control and environmental protection.
(5-10% weight)
Organic Chemistry
Topic
Recommended Learning 8 Hours
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of hydrocarbons, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and polymers.
(10-15% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Advanced understanding of organic reactions, mechanisms, and synthetic pathways.
(10-15% weight)
Experimental Techniques and Chemical Analysis
Topic
Recommended Learning
Core + Extended
Content Description
Study of separation techniques, qualitative analysis, and titration.
(5-10% weight)
Only Extended
What you’ll learn:
Advanced techniques for qualitative analysis and accurate titration methods.
(5-10% weight)
Download full sub-topic list for the IGCSE Chemistry Tuition Core and Extended.
Download SyllabusIGCSE Chemistry Exams and Past Papers: Overview
The assessment of IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is divided into three main objectives: knowledge with understanding, handling information and problem-solving, and experimental skills and investigations. Each paper is weighted differently based on these objectives:
Paper 1
Only Core students
30% of final grade
Example Question
Gases
Which process produce methane? a. Combustion of hydrocarbons b. Decomposition of vegetation c. Respiration d. Reaction between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate
Paper 2
Only Extended students
30% of final grade
Example Question
Gases
“Which two gases will diffuse at the same rate, at the same temperature? a. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide b. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen c. Chlorine and fluorine d. Nitrogen and oxygen”
Paper 3
Only Core students
50% of final grade
Example Question
Elements and Compounds
“Use the kinetic particle model to describe the differences between liquid lead and lead gas in terms of: the separation of the particles and the motion of the particles.”
Paper 4
Only Extended students
50% of final grade
Example Question
Acids
“Ethanoic acid is a member of the homologous series of carboxylic acids. State the general formula of this homologous series.”
Paper 5
Both Core and Extended students
20% of final grade
Example Question
Paper 6
Both Core and Extended students
20% of final grade
Example Question
Download all the free past papers
Download Free Test PaperIGCSE Chemistry Exam Overview - Core and Extended
The assessment of IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is divided into three main objectives: knowledge with understanding, handling information and problem-solving, and experimental skills and investigations. Each paper is weighted differently based on these objectives:
Assessment Objective
Papers 1 & 2
Papers 3 & 4
Papers 5 & 6
AO1 Knowledge with Understanding
63%
63%
0%
AO2 Handling Information and Problem-Solving
37%
37%
0%
AO3 Experimental Skills and Investigations
0%
0%
100%
Is IGCSE Chemistry Difficult?
IGCSE Chemistry (0620) can be challenging because it requires a solid understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical skills. The subject involves a lot of detailed information, calculations, and the application of knowledge to new situations. However, with regular study, good organization, and consistent practice, it’s manageable and can be very rewarding. If you enjoy exploring how the world works at a molecular level and have a curious mind, you’ll find IGCSE Chemistry engaging and achievable.
2023 Cumulative Grades
Cumulative grades of IGCSE students
275,000+
Students took IGCSE Chemistry
B
IGCSE Chemistry Average Score
Ascend Now Examiner Tips
Know Your Basics
“Make sure you’ve nailed the fundamental concepts—everything builds on these, so don’t skip them!”
Nadia
IGCSE Tutor
14+ years experience teaching Chemistry
Practice Calculations
“Get plenty of practice with chemistry calculations; they’re a big part of the exam, and accuracy matters.”
Jesse
IGCSE Tutor
14+ years experience teaching Chemistry
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