IGCSE 2026 Exam Trends: Cambridge Physics 0625

Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) uses Core or Extended theory plus Paper 5 (practical) or Paper 6 (alternative to practical). Here are recent trends and priorities for 2026.

Paper format and structure

• Theory: Core (Papers 1 and 3) or Extended (Papers 2 and 4). Practical: Paper 5 or Paper 6. Structure is unchanged for 2025–2026.
• Multiple choice (1 and 2) tests definitions, units, and application. Written papers (3 and 4) include calculations, short explanations, and longer structured questions. Paper 6 tests planning, data handling, and evaluation without lab access.
• Calculations appear in every series: equations of motion, forces, energy, electrical (V=IR, P=IV, E=Pt), waves (v=fλ), and simple nuclear. Marks are for correct equation, substitution, and answer with unit.

Question types and topics that keep coming up

• Mechanics: Motion graphs, forces and resultant force, moments, pressure, energy (kinetic, potential, work, power). Explaining in terms of forces or energy changes is frequently required.
• Electricity: Current, voltage, resistance; series and parallel; V=IR and power; circuits with ammeters/voltmeters. Drawing and interpreting circuits, and explaining changes (e.g. effect of extra resistor in parallel) are common.
• Waves: Properties, electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction, critical angle. Applications (e.g. communications, safety) and calculations (frequency, wavelength, speed) appear regularly.
• Thermal and nuclear: Kinetic model, specific heat capacity, latent heat; radioactivity (alpha, beta, gamma; half-life; uses and safety). Graph interpretation (e.g. cooling curve, decay curve) is often tested.
• Practical/Paper 6: Planning (variables, control, safety), taking readings (precision, tables), graph drawing, conclusions, and evaluation (sources of error, improvements). Recent sessions have included optics, electricity, and mechanics-style experiments.

Are papers getting easier or harder?

• Standards are maintained via grade boundaries. Examiner reports highlight recurring weaknesses: unit conversion, correct substitution into formulae, direction of force or current, and explanation in terms of physics principles.
• Extended requires multi-step calculations and application to unfamiliar contexts. Core is more structured but still demands correct use of formulae and units.
• No reported shift in overall difficulty; focus is on targeting weak topics and presentation (working, units, significant figures).

Similarity to past papers and predictability

• Format and command words are very similar to past years. Past papers (2020–2025) are a strong guide.
• Topics are predictable from the syllabus; contexts (e.g. a new scenario for circuits or motion) vary. Calculation types (e.g. V=IR, F=ma, E=mcΔT) are highly predictable; exact numbers are not.
• Paper 6 style (scenario → method → results → graph → conclusion/evaluation) is consistent. Practising several Paper 6s builds familiarity.

Examiner expectations and marking

• Units must be correct and included (e.g. N, J, Pa, V, A, Hz). Conversion (e.g. g to kg, cm to m) must be shown when needed. Wrong or missing units can cost a mark.
• Working in calculations: correct equation, substitution with units, and final answer. Method marks are awarded even if the final number is wrong, provided the physics is correct.
• Explanation marks require a clear cause–effect link using correct physics (e.g. “resistance increases so current decreases” for a series circuit). Vague statements score partial or no credit.
• Diagrams (e.g. ray diagrams, circuits): neat, labelled, and consistent with the question. Marking is consistent with the published scheme; no indication of tightening.

Assessment style and skills in demand

• Application to real-world or unfamiliar situations (e.g. safety, design, comparison of devices) is common. Choosing the right equation and direction (e.g. force, current) matters.
• Graphs: drawing (axes, scale, points, line of best fit) and interpreting (gradient, proportionality, conclusion). Evaluation of experiments (limitations, improvements) is regularly tested in Paper 6.
• Numerical fluency: rearranging equations, standard form, and significant figures as requested.

Focus areas for 2026 revision

1. Equations and units – learn the list; always show substitution and give the answer with the correct unit.
2. Electricity – series/parallel, V=IR, power; circuit diagrams; explaining changes in current/voltage/resistance.
3. Forces and energy – resultant force, motion, work, power; explaining in terms of forces or energy transfer.
4. Waves – properties, EM spectrum, calculations (v=fλ); applications and safety.
5. Paper 6 – planning (variables, control), tables and graphs, conclusions, evaluation with specific improvements or sources of error.

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Based on current syllabus and examiner reports. Always use the latest Cambridge 0625 syllabus for your series.