Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry Exam Technique Cheat Sheet 2026 (0620)
Every Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry command word decoded — what examiners actually want, the structure that earns full marks, the top mistakes flagged in real examiner reports, and the phrases that pick up the marks others leave on the table. Free printable PDF.
7 command words decoded
5 top mistakes flagged
Phrases that earn marks
Print-ready PDF
Command words — click to expand
Top tips for Chemistry
- 1Always name the specific particle: 'Na⁺ ions' not 'particles'; 'electrons' not 'charges'.
- 2Conditions for the Haber process: ~450°C, ~200 atm, iron catalyst. Miss any = lose a mark.
- 3Ionic equations: many mark schemes require ionic, not molecular. Check the question.
- 4For electrolysis: state which ion moves where (cations → cathode, anions → anode) and the half-equation at each electrode.
- 5Show all working in calculations with units at every step.
- 6Balance every equation and include state symbols (s), (l), (g), (aq) — examiners check.
⚠️ Top mistakes examiners flag for Chemistry
- ✗Writing 'particles' or 'molecules' when 'ions' is required — costs marks every time on ionic compounds.
- ✗Forgetting state symbols on chemical equations.
- ✗Writing 'the reaction speeds up' instead of 'the rate of reaction increases'.
- ✗Confusing the Haber process conditions with the Contact process (Contact uses V₂O₅ catalyst at ~450°C).
- ✗Saying covalent bonds 'are weak' — covalent bonds are STRONG; it's the intermolecular forces between covalent molecules that are weak.
✅ Phrases that earn marks
- → …ions are free to move and carry charge
- → …activation energy is exceeded
- → …Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions dissociate
- → …iron catalyst increases rate without affecting yield
- → …equilibrium shifts to the right
- → …oxidation is the loss of electrons (OIL RIG)
❌ Phrases that lose marks
- ✗ Particles move (say: ions/electrons move)
- ✗ The reaction speeds up (say: rate of reaction increases)
- ✗ It dissolves (say: the ionic lattice dissociates)
- ✗ Covalent bonds break (when only IMFs break, e.g. on melting)
- ✗ Forgetting units on mol/dm³ or kJ/mol
Extended answers are where the marks live in Chemistry
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 6-mark and extended-response questions are won or lost on STRUCTURE and command-word interpretation. A Tutopiya Chemistry specialist marks your mock answers like an examiner and shows you exactly which command words you're misreading. Submit a free enquiry to get matched.
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Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry exam technique — FAQ
What are the most important command words in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry? ▼
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) papers use 7 core command words. The most frequently misread are State (where students add unnecessary explanation) and Explain (particle level) (where students describe instead of reasoning with because/therefore). The full breakdown — what each word means, the answer structure, and the do/don't list — is in the interactive cheat sheet above.
What's the difference between "describe" and "explain" in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry? ▼
Describe asks WHAT happens — quote values from data, state the trend, no reasoning. Explain asks WHY — every sentence must contain "because", "therefore" or "as a result". Mixing them up is one of the highest-frequency reasons Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry students lose marks they could have earned with the same content.
What are the top examiner-flagged mistakes for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry? ▼
Across recent Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry examiner reports, the most-flagged mistakes are: Writing 'particles' or 'molecules' when 'ions' is required; Forgetting state symbols on chemical equations.; Writing 'the reaction speeds up' instead of 'the rate of reaction increases'.. The full list with explanations is in the "Top mistakes" block in the cheat sheet above.
Can I print the Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry exam technique cheat sheet as a PDF? ▼
Yes — click the "Download Chemistry Cheat Sheet PDF" button above. Sign up free (no payment), and the printable A4 PDF downloads instantly. The PDF includes the command-word table, top tips, common mistakes and the earn/avoid phrase pairs — designed to fit on one page so you can pin it above your desk.
Will this cheat sheet help me get a top grade in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry? ▼
The cheat sheet covers EXAM TECHNIQUE — how to read command words, structure answers, and use mark-scheme language. Combined with strong subject knowledge it can lift students by 1–2 grades by closing the gap on extended-response questions. Use the Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry Grade Predictor to see where you currently sit and how many marks you need for the next grade up.
Is this Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry cheat sheet free? ▼
Yes — fully free. Sign up takes 10 seconds (name + email) and unlocks the PDF download for this and every other Tutopiya study tool. We use the email to send occasional Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry revision resources and exam updates. Unsubscribe at any time.
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