IGCSE / GCSE Physics

It may surprise you, but getting a decent grade in IGCSE/GCSE Physics is not very difficult, because you are not expected to know very difficult concepts. However, you do have to know what and how to revise. In each topic, students are expected to study definitions and equations, and must know how to use simple scientific terms to explain some concepts.

From our observations, there are two kinds of students: one kind doesn’t really like Physics and perhaps hates Maths too, because both involve calculations. The other type of student rather likes Physics and has an interest in Maths as well. Let’s consider what each type might find challenging, and some common issues that students face in exams.

Some exam questions for IGCSE/GCSE Physics will involve graphs and data, and require students to use the graph to discern things like gradient, area, etc. and also understand the physical meaning behind it. The first group of students that don’t like calculations may find such questions challenging, because they understand the concepts in theory or in real life, but are unable to apply it to numbers and maths.

In studying or in exams, students may also encounter “real life questions” that apply physics concepts to situations in daily life. For example, questions may ask about people’s weights, the movement and velocity of cars, etc. The Edexcel exam board particularly likes to ask these questions. In this scenario, the second group of students that quite like calculations might not know how to respond. Though they are familiar with the concept and equations, they find it difficult to apply it to an actual situation. Often, IGCSE/GCSE Physics uses several different concepts melded into one question. Whether students are better with real life concepts or with equations, it benefits both groups to practice putting equations and concepts together, rather than studying one concept at a time.

Many students will also find the long questions challenging. These are usually worth 4-5 points and often don’t require calculations at all. Some students who are used to just substituting numbers into formulas will not realise that the question requires them to use words rather than numbers to express and explain the problem, and find a solution. This kind of question is also difficult in its own way.

So here are 5 tips to target those top grades:

1. Preparation: Time management is absolutely key because students usually have a lot on their plate and must split their studying between physics and other subjects. Controversially, we advise you to not spend too much time on physics, because most of the questions will just use equations. If you know how to apply equations to the questions correctly and calculate a solution, you will already be able to handle half or more of the questions.
2. Practice long questions: Do as many past papers as you can, they are an excellent way to revise! You will learn how to answer based on what the exams expect, and get an impression of the key words and key points that are required according to the mark scheme. Past exams questions are often repetitive and reappear again and again, only using different “real-life” examples based around the same fundamental physics concept. Mark schemes often reveal that examiners want the same fundamental physics answer - but they are testing whether the student has the creative flexibility to see the connection between the example and the physics concepts they learnt, and the intellectual ability to apply it well.
3. Definitions and equations: As with every science subject, there are definitions and equations that you must study well. Most students will rely on direct memorisation, which is okay unless you take it too literally and don’t actually know how to apply it beyond the chunk of equation in your head. In preparation, it is therefore important to practice application.
4. Real life examples: In studying, think about how you can apply the concepts and equations you learnt in class to your daily life. Think about force and mass as you pick up your water bottle, or waves when you pluck the strings of a guitar. The ability to see physics as connected to real life is very important, and students who see the two as separate will have difficulty answering exam questions.
5. Read carefully: This one seems silly, but is actually a common issue for students! Physics questions often contain a lot of background information and students must read the question fully in detail, highlight the important factors, and discern what are the useful pieces of information they actually need. Some students will look too quickly at the text/picture/graph and jump straight into calculations with no real sense of what they’re doing. These students will get stuck because they missed some crucial information!

So in short, do plenty of past papers and practice applying the concepts and equations to real life situations. This is the best preparation you can do for your IGCSE/GCSE Physics exams.

The DSE Physics curriculum is actually more difficult than the IGCSE Physics curriculum, being more similar in level to IB Physics. If you are a DSE student who wants to prepare for the IGCSE Physics exams, you only need to study some simple concepts with surface-level understanding. IGCSE-style exam questions will prioritise definitions and some simple calculations.

There is only one challenging aspect in preparing for IGCSE Physics. The DSE curriculum spends more time on each topic and goes farther in-depth whereas the IGCSE curriculum covers a broader scope in a short period of time. DSE students may not have studied all of the IGCSE topics yet by the time IGCSE exams roll around. As a result, you may have to study some topics by yourself, ahead of the other DSE students. Completing past papers and using flashcards to memorise definitions are both useful revision tactics.

Overall, it shouldn’t be hard for a DSE Physics student to prepare for IGCSE Physics at all.