IGCSE 2026 Exam Trends: Cambridge Co-ordinated Science 0653

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Science (0653) is a double award (two grades) covering Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Here are recent trends for 2026.

Paper format and structure

• Papers cover all three sciences; Core or Extended; Paper 5 or 6 (practical/alternative) tests practical skills across the sciences. Structure is unchanged for 2025–2026.
• Balance of biology, chemistry and physics varies by paper and series; all three are fully examinable. Calculations (chemistry, physics) and key terms (biology) are regularly tested.
• Practical/Paper 6 – planning, data, graphs, conclusions, evaluation; scenarios can be from any of the three sciences or combined (e.g. rates, enzymes, circuits).

Question types and topics that keep coming up

• Biology: Cells, enzymes, nutrition, circulation, ecology; magnification; experimental variables and controls. Same trends as 0610: precise terminology, application to context.
• Chemistry: Mole calculations, electrolysis, organic (names, reactions), rates, equilibrium. Equations balanced; units in calculations; explanation with cause–effect.
• Physics: Forces, energy, electricity (V=IR, circuits), waves; units and formulae. Working shown in calculations; explanation in terms of physics principles.
• Cross-topic or application questions (e.g. practical design, data analysis) draw on more than one science. Integration of knowledge is tested.

Are papers getting easier or harder?

• Standards are maintained via grade boundaries. Reports highlight recurring issues: confusion between sciences (e.g. biology vs chemistry terms); calculation errors (formula, units); practical questions (variables, evaluation) underperformed.
• No reported shift in difficulty; clarity about which science is being tested and accuracy in calculations and terminology are key.

Similarity to past papers and predictability

• Format matches past series. Past papers are a good guide to balance of topics and question style.
• Topics are predictable from the syllabus; contexts vary. Skills (recall, calculation, explanation, practical) are consistent across biology, chemistry and physics.
• Exact questions are not predictable; marking focus (correct science, correct terminology, working in calculations) is.

Examiner expectations and marking

• Correct subject – use biology terms for biology, chemistry for chemistry, physics for physics. Mixing (e.g. “energy” in a biology context when “respiration” is meant) can lose marks.
• Calculations – correct formula, substitution, answer with unit. Working is credited.
• Practical – variables, control, safety; tables and graphs; conclusion from data; evaluation with specific points.
• Marking follows the published scheme; no indication of marking becoming harsher.

Assessment style and skills in demand

• Three sciences – revise all three; identify which discipline each question is from; use correct terminology.
• Calculations – chemistry and physics; show working; units.
• Practical – same skills as single sciences; planning, analysis, evaluation.

Focus areas for 2026 revision

1. Clear subject focus – when answering, use the right science and correct terms.
2. Chemistry and physics calculations – formulae, substitution, units; practise mole, electricity, motion, energy.
3. Biology – key terms, definitions, application (as in 0610 trends).
4. Practical/Paper 6 – variables, control, tables, graphs, conclusions, evaluation.
5. Past papers – under timed conditions; cover all three sciences.

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Based on current syllabus and examiner reports. Always use the latest Cambridge 0653 syllabus for your series.