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About IGCSE Physics
IGCSE Physics is sat at the end of Year 11 and covers motion, forces and energy, thermal physics, waves, electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics, and space physics. Cambridge states that it gives learners a solid foundation for further study, and that candidates achieving grades A* to C are well prepared for a wide range of courses.
The three boards do not agree on structure. Cambridge 0625 is tiered and sets three papers, including a separate practical exam worth 20% of the qualification. Edexcel 4PH1 and OxfordAQA 9203 are untiered and set two written papers each. They grade differently as well: Cambridge grades A* to G, while Edexcel and OxfordAQA grade 9 to 1.
That makes the practical paper the single biggest difference between the three routes. On Edexcel and OxfordAQA, experimental skills are examined inside the written papers. On Cambridge they get their own exam, worth a fifth of the qualification. We work from real past papers.
Who IGCSE Physics Is For
This course suits students who want a Physics grade they can rely on, whichever board and paper route they sit.
- Year 10 and Year 11 students sitting IGCSE Physics this year
- Students preparing for Cambridge 0625, Edexcel 4PH1 or OxfordAQA 9203
- Students aiming for the top grades on their board's scale
- Learners preparing for a practical exam, or for practical questions inside written papers
- Students who understand the physics but lose marks on working and extended answers
IGCSE Physics Exam Boards We Cover
The three boards differ more here than in most sciences. Cambridge 0625 is tiered and sets three papers, including a practical exam worth 20% of the qualification. Edexcel 4PH1 and OxfordAQA 9203 are untiered and set two written papers each. Cambridge grades A* to G, while the other two grade 9 to 1.
Cambridge
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 is tiered, and all candidates take three papers. Core candidates sit Paper 1, Paper 3 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6, and can be awarded grades C to G. Extended candidates sit Paper 2, Paper 4 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6, and can be awarded grades A* to G. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are multiple-choice papers of 45 minutes and 40 marks, carrying 30% of the qualification, each with 40 four-option questions. Paper 3 and Paper 4 are theory papers of 1 hour 15 minutes and 80 marks, carrying 50%, and use short-answer and structured questions. The practical element is a choice of two papers: Paper 5 is a Practical Test of 1 hour 15 minutes, and Paper 6 is an Alternative to Practical paper of 1 hour, each worth 40 marks and 20%. Every paper is externally assessed. Grades overall run A* to G, where A* is the highest and G is the lowest. The content is organised into six topics: motion, forces and energy, thermal physics, waves, electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics, and space physics.
Edexcel
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1 is untiered, so every student sits the same two written papers and there is no separate practical exam. Paper 1 is a 2 hour examination worth 110 marks and 61.1% of the total, and it assesses the core content that is not in bold and does not carry a P reference. Paper 2 is a 1 hour 15 minute examination worth 70 marks and 38.9%, and it assesses all of the content, including the bold and P material. Together the papers total 180 marks, and the marks are not scaled. Question styles run from multiple choice and short answer to calculations and extended open-response questions, and a calculator may be used in both papers. Papers are available in November and June. The qualification is graded on a nine-grade scale, with grades ranging from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest. Practical work is assessed inside the two written papers rather than in a separate exam, through an assessment objective covering experimental skills, analysis and evaluation of data. The content is organised into eight topics: forces and motion, electricity, waves, energy resources and energy transfers, solids, liquids and gases, magnetism and electromagnetism, radioactivity and particles, and astrophysics.
OxfordAQA
OxfordAQA International GCSE Physics 9203 is linear, with two question papers taken in the same examination series. It is not tiered. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are each a 1 hour 30 minute written exam worth 90 marks and 50% of the qualification, and each uses structured and open questions. Content from any part of the specification may be assessed on either paper, so topics are not divided between them. There is no separate practical exam; practical procedures are examined inside the two written papers, where the assessment objective covering the ability to select, describe and evaluate scientific procedures carries 10% of the overall marks, and the specification also lists required practicals that students cover as part of the content. The qualification is graded in line with UK GCSEs on a nine-point scale from 1 to 9, where 9 is the best grade.
How Centaurus Helps IGCSE Physics Students Excel
Board Route Confirmed First
Cambridge is tiered with three papers; Edexcel and OxfordAQA are untiered with two. We establish which route applies before the first lesson.
Practical Exam Preparation
Only Cambridge sets a separate practical paper, and it carries 20% of the qualification. Cambridge students rehearse the experimental skills that paper tests.
Practical Questions in Written Papers
Edexcel and OxfordAQA examine practical work inside the written papers. We train those questions as exam questions, not as revision.
Multiple-Choice Technique
Cambridge's Paper 1 and Paper 2 carry 30% of the marks across 40 questions. Quick marks that are easy to lose, so we drill them separately.
Classes in Your Local Time
Live group sessions scheduled around your time zone, so no late nights or early mornings just to make a class.
24/7 Progress Reporting
Families get access to the Centaurus Academy LMS, with attendance, progress and lesson notes available to parents, students and teachers at any time.
Why Centaurus Stands Out
Choosing the right IGCSE Physics support makes a real difference. Here is how Centaurus Academy compares with typical online providers.
Meet our Team Of Experts
Our expert tutors bring deep subject knowledge and a passion for teaching — helping every student reach their full potential.
What Parents Say About Us
Hear from the parents and students who have experienced our personalised teaching first-hand.
Excellent long-term experience
We have an excellent long-term experience with the academy and Sir Awais. Our three children studied with them during different periods and succeeded well. We highly recommend the academy.
Excellent academy
Centaurus Academy is truly one of the best educational institutions I've come across. The environment is nurturing, the staff are incredibly dedicated, and the quality of education is outstanding. They focus not only on academic excellence but also on character building and personal growth. The teachers are supportive and go the extra mile to ensure every student feels confident and motivated.
My child has gained confidence
I'm very satisfied with the dedication and teaching approach. My child has gained confidence and improved significantly in understanding math concepts, thanks to the teacher's clear explanations and supportive guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About IGCSE Physics
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