IGCSE Chemistry 0620 · Papers
IGCSE Chemistry 0620 paper structure
Updated · by the Fahmazing team
Every IGCSE Chemistry 0620 student takes three papers: a multiple-choice paper, a theory paper and a practical paper. Which ones you sit depends on whether you are entered for Core or Extended.
The facts below are from the Cambridge 0620 syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Core or Extended?
- Core: Paper 1, Paper 3, and Paper 5 or Paper 6. Questions cover the Core content only. Grades available: C to G.
- Extended: Paper 2, Paper 4, and Paper 5 or Paper 6. Questions cover the Core and Supplement content. Grades available: A* to G.
Tip: If you are aiming for grade C or above, Cambridge recommends the Extended papers. A* and A are only possible on Extended.
The multiple-choice papers (1 and 2)
- 40 four-option multiple-choice questions.
- 40 marks, 45 minutes.
- Worth 30% of the qualification.
- Paper 1 is Core; Paper 2 is Extended.
The theory papers (3 and 4)
- Short-answer and structured questions.
- 80 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Worth 50% of the qualification.
- Paper 3 is Core; Paper 4 is Extended.
The practical papers: Paper 5 vs Paper 6
All candidates take one practical paper. Your school chooses which. Both are worth 40 marks and 20%, and both test experimental skills.
- Paper 5 (Practical Test): 1 hour 15 minutes. You do real experiments in a laboratory.
- Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): 1 hour. A written paper about experiments; you do not carry out experiments.
- Notes for qualitative analysis (the ion and gas test results) are provided in both papers.
Assessment objectives
Across the whole qualification, AO1 (knowledge with understanding) is 50%, AO2 (handling information and problem-solving) is 30% and AO3 (experimental skills and investigations) is 20%.
In Papers 1 to 4 the split is 63% AO1 and 37% AO2. Papers 5 and 6 test AO3 only.
Calculators
Calculators may be used in all parts of the examination, including the multiple-choice papers.
Summary table
IGCSE Chemistry 0620 at a glance
Paper 1 (Core) / Paper 2 (Extended): multiple choice, 40 marks, 45 min, 30%
Paper 3 (Core) / Paper 4 (Extended): theory, 80 marks, 1 h 15 min, 50%
Paper 5: practical test, 40 marks, 1 h 15 min, 20%
Paper 6: alternative to practical, 40 marks, 1 h, 20%
Free lesson: Experimental design
Questions students ask
How many papers are there in IGCSE Chemistry 0620?
You take three: one multiple-choice paper (1 or 2), one theory paper (3 or 4) and one practical paper (5 or 6).
How long is IGCSE Chemistry Paper 4?
Paper 4 (Theory, Extended) lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 80 marks, which is 50% of the qualification.
What is the difference between Paper 5 and Paper 6?
Paper 5 is a 1 hour 15 minute practical test done in a lab. Paper 6 is a 1 hour written paper about experiments. Both are worth 40 marks and 20%.
What is the highest grade on the Core papers?
Grade C. The Core route (Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6) gives grades C to G.