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How to Revise iGCSE Combined Science

Revise iGCSE Combined Science covering biology, chemistry, and physics in an integrated double-award qualification.

Revision Strategy

Revising Combined Science 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 Combined Science. 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. Combined Science 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 Combined Science

  • Create a revision timetable that allocates equal time to biology, chemistry and physics sections. Students often neglect their weakest science, which drags down the overall grade.
  • Use colour-coded notes to separate the three disciplines, making it easier to organise your revision and quickly locate key information.
  • Focus on the connections between the three sciences - for example, how energy transfer links physics (thermal energy), chemistry (energetics) and biology (respiration).

Exam Tips for iGCSE Combined Science

  • In the exam, identify which science discipline each question relates to before answering, and use the correct specialist vocabulary for that discipline.
  • Manage your time carefully across the paper. Combined Science papers cover a lot of content, so do not spend too long on any single question.
  • For calculation questions, always show your working and include units. The mark scheme awards method marks across all three science areas.

Topics to Cover

10 topics in iGCSE Combined Science

Cell Biology
Atomic Structure
Forces & Motion
Ecology
Chemical Reactions
Electricity
Human Physiology
Organic Chemistry
Waves
Genetics

Available Exam Boards

iGCSE Combined Science specification guides for each exam board

Frequently Asked Questions

What is iGCSE Combined Science? +
iGCSE Combined Science (Co-ordinated Sciences) is a qualification that covers biology, chemistry and physics in a single course, resulting in one or two iGCSE grades. It is offered by Cambridge International for students who want broad scientific knowledge without taking three separate sciences.
Can I do A-Level sciences after iGCSE Combined Science? +
It depends on the school and the specific A-Level. Some schools accept a strong grade in Combined Science for progression to a single A-Level science, but many prefer students to have taken the separate science iGCSEs. Check with your school for their specific policy.
Is Combined Science easier than separate sciences? +
Combined Science covers less depth in each discipline than the separate iGCSEs but spans all three sciences. Students who excel in one science but struggle in others may find the combined approach more challenging overall, as the grade reflects performance across all three areas.

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