Chemistry 0620 papers: timings and marks

Paper 1: Multiple Choice40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Core45 mintime40marks30%of grade
Paper 2: Multiple Choice40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Extended45 mintime40marks30%of grade
Paper 3: TheoryShort-answer and structured questions
Core1 h 15 mintime80marks50%of grade
Paper 4: TheoryShort-answer and structured questions
Extended1 h 15 mintime80marks50%of grade
Paper 5: Practical TestHands-on practical, based on the experimental skills section
Core and Extended1 h 15 mintime40marks20%of grade
Paper 6: Alternative to PracticalWritten questions on practical work, based on the experimental skills section
Core and Extended1 htime40marks20%of grade

Core or Extended: which papers you sit

  • Core: Papers 1, 3, and either 5 or 6. Grades C to G available.
  • Extended: Papers 2, 4, and either 5 or 6. Grades A* to G available.

Calculator: Calculators may be used in all papers.
Grading: A* to G. A 9 to 1 version exists as 0971, with the same content and papers.

Your Chemistry topic checklist

Rate each topic: red if you can't do it yet, amber if it's shaky,green if you're confident. It saves on this device, so come back and update it.

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  1. 1States of matter
  2. 2Atoms, elements and compounds
  3. 3Stoichiometry
  4. 4Electrochemistry
  5. 5Chemical energetics
  6. 6Chemical reactions
  7. 7Acids, bases and salts
  8. 8The Periodic Table
  9. 9Metals
  10. 10Chemistry of the environment
  11. 11Organic chemistry
  12. 12Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

How to revise Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry

Master moles early

Stoichiometry runs through the whole subject: reacting masses, gas volumes, concentrations and yields. Practise a few mole calculations every week, not just when you reach the topic.

Learn your tests and colours

Tests for ions and gases, flame colours and precipitate colours come up again and again in theory and practical papers. Make one table and learn it.

Treat the practical paper as a skills paper

Papers 5 and 6 are worth 20% and test the same skills every time: drawing results tables with units in the headings, plotting graphs with sensible scales, naming variables, spotting anomalies and suggesting improvements. These are learnable, and they are some of the most reliable marks in the exam.

Write balanced equations with state symbols

Practise writing word and symbol equations, balancing them, and adding state symbols where asked. Ionic equations for Extended need the same care.

Common mistakes in IGCSE Chemistry

Examiner's noteForgetting to balance an equation, or changing a formula to balance it instead of the numbers in front.
Examiner's noteConfusing atoms, ions and molecules in explanations of bonding and structure.
Examiner's noteWriting a colour without the full change, for example "turns blue" instead of "from red to blue".
Examiner's noteDropping units or using the wrong one, such as g instead of g/mol or cm³ instead of dm³.

Chemistry 0620: questions students ask

How many papers are there in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620?

There are 6 papers: Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core, 45 min, 40 marks, 30% of the grade); Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended, 45 min, 40 marks, 30% of the grade); Paper 3: Theory (Core, 1 h 15 min, 80 marks, 50% of the grade); Paper 4: Theory (Extended, 1 h 15 min, 80 marks, 50% of the grade); Paper 5: Practical Test (Core and Extended, 1 h 15 min, 40 marks, 20% of the grade); Paper 6: Alternative to Practical (Core and Extended, 1 h, 40 marks, 20% of the grade). Core: Papers 1, 3, and either 5 or 6. Grades C to G available. Extended: Papers 2, 4, and either 5 or 6. Grades A* to G available.

Can I use a calculator in IGCSE Chemistry 0620?

Calculators may be used in all papers.

What grades can I get in IGCSE Chemistry 0620?

A* to G. A 9 to 1 version exists as 0971, with the same content and papers.

What topics are in the 0620 syllabus?

The syllabus has 12 topic areas: States of matter, Atoms, elements and compounds, Stoichiometry, Electrochemistry, Chemical energetics, Chemical reactions, Acids, bases and salts, The Periodic Table, Metals, Chemistry of the environment, Organic chemistry, Experimental techniques and chemical analysis.

Which 0620 syllabus does this guide follow?

The 2026 to 2028 syllabus, from Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus, 2026 to 2028, checked October 2026. Exam boards update syllabuses, so confirm the version your school is using.

Plan your revision

Put Chemistry into the revision planner with your other subjects, or follow the 12-week or 6-week plan.

Source: Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus, 2026 to 2028, checked October 2026. Exam boards update their syllabuses, so check the latest version with your school.