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How to Revise iGCSE Chemistry

Build confidence in iGCSE Chemistry with practice on atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry.

Revision Strategy

Revising Chemistry requires a blend of memorisation and understanding. You need to recall key facts, definitions, and processes, but you also need to understand the underlying principles well enough to apply them to unfamiliar scenarios. Start each topic by learning the core concepts, then test yourself with application questions that require you to use your knowledge in new contexts.

Diagrams are one of the most powerful revision tools for Chemistry. Whether it is the structure of a cell, an energy level diagram, or a circuit, being able to draw and label diagrams from memory cements your understanding far more effectively than re-reading text. Practise reproducing key diagrams until you can do so accurately without any reference material.

Do not neglect the practical and mathematical elements. Chemistry exams include questions on required practicals and expect you to perform calculations confidently. Practise interpreting data tables, plotting graphs, calculating rates and percentages, and evaluating experimental methods. These skills are tested every year and are straightforward marks if you have prepared.

Study Tips for iGCSE Chemistry

  • Master balancing chemical equations early - this skill underpins stoichiometry, energetics and reaction chemistry throughout the iGCSE course.
  • Create a revision grid for each group of the periodic table, listing properties, trends and reactions. iGCSE Chemistry heavily tests your knowledge of periodic trends.
  • Practice mole calculations repeatedly until the method feels automatic. Many students lose marks on straightforward calculation questions due to careless errors rather than lack of understanding.
  • Use flashcards for key definitions and formulae. iGCSE Chemistry has many precise definitions that must be memorised verbatim.

Exam Tips for iGCSE Chemistry

  • In calculation questions, always show every step of your working. iGCSE mark schemes award method marks for each correct stage, so even an arithmetic error at the end can still earn most of the marks.
  • When writing word or symbol equations, double-check that they are balanced and that state symbols are included if requested.
  • For questions about trends in the periodic table, always link your answer to atomic structure (number of electron shells, nuclear charge) rather than simply stating the trend.

Topics to Cover

10 topics in iGCSE Chemistry

States of Matter
Atomic Structure
Chemical Bonding
Stoichiometry
Electrochemistry
Chemical Energetics
Rates of Reaction
Acids & Bases
Periodic Table
Organic Chemistry

Available Exam Boards

iGCSE Chemistry specification guides for each exam board

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered in iGCSE Chemistry? +
The syllabus covers states of matter, atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, electricity and chemistry, energetics, chemical reactions, acids and bases, the periodic table, metals, air and water, organic chemistry and experimental techniques. Extended students cover additional depth in each area.
Is iGCSE Chemistry harder than GCSE Chemistry? +
The content difficulty is similar, but the assessment differs. iGCSE Chemistry has no practical exam counting towards the final grade and uses Core/Extended tiers instead of Foundation/Higher. Some students find the iGCSE more demanding in terms of recall, as fewer formulae and data are provided in the exam.
Can I use a calculator in iGCSE Chemistry? +
Yes, a scientific calculator is permitted and recommended for all iGCSE Chemistry papers. You will need it for mole calculations, percentage composition and other quantitative questions.
How does iGCSE Chemistry prepare me for A-Level? +
iGCSE Chemistry covers the foundational concepts required for A-Level study, including atomic structure, bonding, energetics and organic chemistry. Students who achieve a strong grade at iGCSE (B or above in Extended) are well prepared for the transition.

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