Descriptive vs Narrative Essays
The IGCSE English First Language exam places a strong emphasis on creative writing, with writing descriptive and narrative essays being
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The short-answer questions and structured questions on Papers 3 (Core) and 4 (Extended) are designed to test the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of physics theory and the ability to apply the knowledge to situations described on the paper. This article includes tips on how to read the questions and advice in particular items.
Read the question once right through and then again more slowly. It is best to highlight the main features of a question by underlining or circling the keywords in the question. This will help you decide which area of physics is being asked. Any explanation of the relevant physics statement that does not answer the question set will not earn marks.
The questions usually include stimulus materials that contain all the relevant information. The information can be given in different ways: a diagram, a graph or a table. Study the materials thoroughly as they often provide clues and answers to the question. Read the introductory sentences as it often includes information that is required in your answer.
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Command words aim to guide the candidates in providing the right response to each question. It is best to review each of these phrases and words to understand the meaning of a term. A table of command words and its brief definition are listed below. However, the meaning of a term may vary slightly according to how the question is worded.
| Command word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Calculate | work out from given facts, figures or information |
| Comment | give an informed opinion |
| Compare | identify/comment on similarities and/or differences |
| Deduce | conclude from available information |
| Define | give precise meaning |
| Describe | state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features |
| Determine | establish an answer using the information available |
| Explain | set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence |
| Give | produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory |
| Identify | name/select/recognise |
| Justify | support a case with evidence/argument |
| Predict | suggest what may happen based on available information |
| Sketch | make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features, taking care over proportions |
| State | express in clear terms |
| Suggest | apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals / put forward considerations |
All science papers include calculations. You should learn a set method for solving a calculation and use that method. You must write out all the working for your calculation as it can gain marks for the method even if there’s a mistake with the final answer. For example, if there are three marks available for a calculation, two of the three marks are for showing the proper method of calculation.
Some questions require you to carry out the calculation and add the result to a table. In these cases, your answer must be the same way as the figures are given. Be consistent with your final answers. If the figures are 5.63 and 4.65, then the answer should be given to two decimal places. Even if the answer is a whole number, the answer should be written as 7.00, not 7. When using a calculator, round up or down the figures – don’t copy all the figures after the decimal point.
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Candidates must be able to state symbols for the different physical quantities and, where indicated, state the units in which they are measured. The table below lists the quantity, the usual symbol and usual unit used in Physics syllabus.
Familiarise with the following multipliers: M mega, k kilo, c centi, m milli as these may be included in many calculations. Make sure to show the units in the calculation. If the units are not given on the answer line, then always write them after the numerical answer.
| Core | Supplement | ||||
| Quantity | Usual symbol | Usual unit | Quantity | Usual symbol | Usual unit |
| length | 𝑙, ℎ, 𝑑, 𝑠, 𝑥 | km, m, cm, mm | |||
| area | 𝐴 | m2, cm2 | |||
| volume | 𝑉 | m3, cm3, dm3 | |||
| weight | 𝑊 | N | |||
| Mass | 𝑚, 𝑀 | kg, g | Mass | 𝑚, 𝑀 | mg |
| time | 𝑡 | h, min, s | time | 𝑡 | ms, μs |
| density | ρ | g/cm3, kg/m3 | |||
| speed | 𝑢, 𝑣 | km/h, m/s, cm/s | |||
| acceleration | 𝑎 | m/s2 | |||
| acceleration of free fall | 𝑔 | m/s2 | |||
| force | 𝐹 | N | |||
| gravitational field strength | 𝑔 | N/kg | |||
| spring constant | 𝑘 | N/m, N/cm | |||
| momentum | 𝑝 | kg m/s | |||
| impulse | N s | ||||
| moment of a force | N m | ||||
| work done | 𝑊 | J, kJ, MJ | |||
| energy | 𝐸 | J, kJ, MJ, kWh | |||
| power | 𝑃 | W, kW, MW | |||
| presure | 𝑝 | N/m2, N/cm2 | presure | 𝑝 | Pa |
| temperature | θ, 𝑇 | °C, K | |||
| specific heat capacity | 𝑐 | J /(g°C), J/(kg°C) | |||
| frequency | 𝑓 | Hz, kHz | |||
| wavelength | λ | m, cm | wavelength | λ | nm |
| focal length | 𝑓 | m, cm | |||
| angle of incidence | 𝑖 | degree (°) | |||
| angle of reflection | 𝑟 | degree (°) | |||
| angle of refraction | 𝑟 | degree (°) | |||
| critical angle | 𝑐 | degree (°) | |||
| refractive index | 𝑛 | ||||
| potential difference / voltage | 𝑉 | V, mV, kV | |||
| current | 𝐼 | A, mA | |||
| e.m.f. | 𝐸 | V | |||
| resistance | 𝑅 | Ω | |||
| charge | 𝘘 | C | |||
| count rate | counts / s, counts / min | ||||
| half-life | s, min, h, days, weeks, year | ||||
| Hubble constant | 𝐻0 | s–1 | |||
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* Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
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Lanja Omer
United Arab Emirates
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41 responses
I consider this to be information of quality and it appears to be written so as to make the reader think.
Hi Jude,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate it.
Thank you that helped, but can I also know how many sentences are usually required for a 2 mark question and likewise for a 4 mark question?
Will our exams be postponed if the novel COVID-19 continuos until November?
Can I please be directed to an As level page or something to help me prepare for November exams
Hello Justina,
Here are some AS/A Level resources:
Subject syllabus: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-international-as-a-level-syllabuses/
Past papers: https://www.skolatis.com/as-a-level-past-exam-papers/
If you need assistance for your AS/A Level exam preparations, you might want to consider our #AskTheExaminer programme. It is similar to having your own private home tutor. You can send in your questions and our qualified examiners will answer it for you. We are currently offering a 7-day free trial. For more information, kindly visit this page: https://www.skolatis.com/asktheexaminer-programme/
What are the possibilities of writing the Oct/Nov series this year?
Hello Phaza,
According to CAIE’s latest release, they are still planning for the November 2020 exams to go ahead. At the same time, CAIE also recognises that the covid-19 pandemic will continue to create uncertainty this year, in different countries at different times. They are developing our contingency plans and they will keep centres up to date in the coming weeks and months.
Hi IGCSE Centre! I am writing this to clarify whether you can suggest any IGCSE Centres in Munich, Germany so that I can take up my IGCSE/O Level exams.
Thanks!
Hi Aishwarya,
We will be opening the subscription to our online Revision Course very very soon. These courses had produced many A* candidates worldwide. In the meantime you can have a read at this page: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/ to understand how it works. Furthermore, we only have online operations at the moment.
If you need further clarifications, feel free to write to us again. Thank you.
Question no. 10 in igcse physics FM 2020 paper is regarding eddy currents! Nothing is mentioned regarding that in our syllabus copy nor have I found any igcse material regarding eddy currents… Then how come there is a possibility of such a question arriving? I am very disheartened to say this to you but you too betrayed us. Like other boards… If I am saying something wrong then plz correct me. I will be desperately and eagerly waiting for your reply regarding this problem. Hope to see a solution… (And I hope u would understand my desperation to get an answer to this question…)
Hi Ria,
Thank you for addressing this concern with us. Unfortunately we are not the exam board. We strongly suggest you to write to CAIE, the exam board, and address this issue with them.
It is good to write to CAIE and let them know what is happening on the ground at students’ side. Especially when it’s related to exam questions and the syllabus.
IN PHYSICS 0625, IF THEY ARE ASKING TO DRAW A DIAGRAM BUT DIDN’T ASK TO LABEL, DO WE NECESSARILY HAVE TO LABEL IT OR JUST DRAW AND LEAVE?
Hello Arc,
You should always remember to label your diagrams.
Hi IGCSE Centre,
I have a question about Physics 0625 Paper 2- MCQ (Extended)
Even though I practice many past papers, I don’t get the desired results. How do I make sure that I am able to get the results that I want?
Thanks in advance!
Hello Pooja,
Here are some tips for you:
– Work through the paper carefully. Do not miss out any question for any reason – you may then start placing your answers in the wrong places.
– Do not attempt to look for any pattern or any lack of pattern in the answers. In other words, do not worry about how many questions have been answered A, B, C or D and do not worry about the distribution of As, Bs, Cs and Ds.
– Be confident in answering the questions. When you are well-prepared, confidence will follow.
Hi IGCSE centre,
I have a question about physics… I solve numerous past papers but still don’t get good marks… Also, what is the most asked question, usually, from the previous papers? Let me know! Thanks!
Hello Riya,
You might be interested in joining our A* Online Revision Course which had produced hundreds of A* scorers worldwide. Our revision course would definitely help you in your exam preparations. We provide detailed revision notes and video tutorials, a ready-made revision timetable, downloadable exam-style practices, common mistakes candidates make during the exams, examiners’ advice, and also some chosen of our word-renowned A* Model Answers (for the respective subject). The best part is, you can get to ask questions and access the examiners directly.
For more details, kindly read this: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/.
If you need further clarifications, feel free to write to us again.
Thank you very much! Also, any tips for biology?
Hello Riya,
Please kindly read this article for Biology exam tips: https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-biology-structured-questions-exam-tips/
Along the way of studying, these exam model answers might help in learning how to write A* answers: https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-exam-resources/.
hi , i am little confused for my igcse coordinated science paper 2. In the paper we would get 2 booklets:- one is in which the questions would be written and we are supposed to tick the answers with pencil and the second would be the “OMR SHEET” in which we would fill the same answers which we would tick in the booklet. So my doubt is that how can i make sure that while filling the appropriate circles in the OMR SHEET i donot fill the wrong one, out of tension or nervousness and if i fill some wrong circles , is there anything that i can do to correct it??
IGCSE CENTRE please help
Hi Devi,
First of all, take a deep breath and relax. This article will help you: https://www.skolatis.com/how-to-handle-your-stress-when-exam-is-approaching/.
You must put your mind on answering your paper, not stressing. When you concentrate on one thing, your mind can’t think of another thing. Believe in yourself and your abilities.
Furthermore, we suggest that you use a pencil and if you still have time, double check your answers and compare your answers from the booklet and the OMR sheet.
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