Cambridge IGCSE Physics Exam Technique Cheat Sheet 2026 (0625)
Every Cambridge IGCSE Physics 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 Physics
- 1Show ALL working — Cambridge awards method marks (M marks) even if final answer is wrong.
- 2Every calculation: write formula → substitute → calculate → state units on answer.
- 3For graph questions: 'directly proportional' ONLY if the line passes through the ORIGIN.
- 4Don't confuse weight (N) with mass (kg). Weight = mass × gravitational field strength.
- 5Energy questions: always state which type of energy → which type of energy.
- 6Significant figures: final answer should not be more precise than the data given (usually 3 s.f.).
⚠️ Top mistakes examiners flag for Physics
- ✗Calling g 'gravity' — g is the gravitational field strength (or acceleration of free fall), measured in N/kg or m/s².
- ✗Writing 'energy is lost' — energy is TRANSFERRED (usually to thermal energy in the surroundings).
- ✗Omitting the unit on a final calculation answer (automatic mark loss).
- ✗Confusing series and parallel resistor rules — in parallel, 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂.
- ✗Saying 'no resistance' for a perfect ammeter — say 'negligible resistance'.
✅ Phrases that earn marks
- → …according to Newton's second law (F = ma)
- → …kinetic energy is transferred to gravitational potential energy
- → …the line passes through the origin, showing direct proportion
- → …by Fleming's left-hand rule
- → …current flows because ions/electrons are free to move
- → …gravitational field strength of 9.81 N/kg
❌ Phrases that lose marks
- ✗ It gets faster (say: acceleration increases)
- ✗ Gravity pulls it down (say: the gravitational force acts downward)
- ✗ Energy is lost (say: energy is transferred to thermal energy)
- ✗ Light bounces off (say: light is reflected)
- ✗ Omitting units on answers
Losing marks on Physics working — even when the final answer is right?
Cambridge IGCSE Physics awards method marks (M marks) for every step shown. A Tutopiya Physics tutor walks through your mock paper line-by-line, finds where you're skipping the M marks, and rewrites the working with you. Submit a free enquiry and we'll match you with a specialist.
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Cambridge IGCSE Physics exam technique — FAQ
What are the most important command words in Cambridge IGCSE Physics? ▼
Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) papers use 7 core command words. The most frequently misread are State (where students add unnecessary explanation) and Explain (physics) (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 Physics? ▼
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 Physics students lose marks they could have earned with the same content.
What are the top examiner-flagged mistakes for Cambridge IGCSE Physics? ▼
Across recent Cambridge IGCSE Physics examiner reports, the most-flagged mistakes are: Calling g 'gravity'; Writing 'energy is lost'; Omitting the unit on a final calculation answer. The full list with explanations is in the "Top mistakes" block in the cheat sheet above.
Can I print the Cambridge IGCSE Physics exam technique cheat sheet as a PDF? ▼
Yes — click the "Download Physics 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 Physics? ▼
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 Physics Grade Predictor to see where you currently sit and how many marks you need for the next grade up.
Is this Cambridge IGCSE Physics 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 Physics revision resources and exam updates. Unsubscribe at any time.
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