I posted about this before but didn’t get the answers I was hoping for. So, my question is, how tough are the IGCSE science subjects—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics?
How much time do I need to prepare if I already know most of the basics?
Do you need to be really smart to pass, or is it more about putting in the effort and studying properly?
They’re pretty easy, honestly. You can prepare for them in 3 months if you’re consistent.
I’m curious about this too!
If you’ve got the basics down, it will take a few months to really be ready. But once you understand the subjects, you can review the basics quickly in a week or so. However, you’ll need more time to focus on the finer details. Stick to your coursebook—it has everything you need to know.
For me, chemistry is the easiest because the questions repeat and the mark schemes are predictable.
Biology is a nightmare for me, but that’s because I don’t enjoy the subject. The syllabus is long, but if you like biology, you’ll be fine.
Physics is okay, but expect new types of questions to pop up, similar to math, and the mark schemes can be a bit strict.
Here’s how I’d rate them:
Biology: 
/10
Chemistry: /10
Physics: /10
That’s just my opinion because I personally don’t like biology!
In my experience, all three are quite manageable. I’ve written all the exams, and preparing for them does take time—maybe a couple of months, depending on your pace. But yeah, anyone who studies properly can pass, and you can definitely aim for an A* with enough work. Just make sure not to burn yourself out; work smart, not hard!
If you can study for 8 hours a day, you can start from scratch and be ready in about 2 months.
Chris said:
If you can study for 8 hours a day, you can start from scratch and be ready in about 2 months.
I’ve been studying 2 hours a day for the past month, and now I have 15 days left before the exam. I know around 80-90% of the basics. Should I just focus on past papers now?
@Dr.Smitha
If you’re starting from scratch, for biology I’d recommend following IGCSE Study Buddy on YouTube and writing down what she explains. She teaches exactly what’s needed for the 0610 syllabus. I usually finish a chapter or two a week, but if you dedicate a few hours, you could do that much in a day.
This will clear up your concepts, and you’ll also have your notes ready!
@Dr.Smitha
Watch revision videos.
For Chemistry and Biology, follow IGCSE Study Buddy, and for Physics, try James Gan.
Go through their playlists, then jot down what you remember. It’s the fastest way to memorise.
After that, start watching past paper solutions, then try solving the papers on your own. Focus on past papers from 2014 to 2024, or at least 2020 to 2024 if you’re short on time.
I’m an A-level student now, but during my IGCSEs, I realised mastering past papers is the key to getting A or A*.
In Year 10, I didn’t practice past papers, and I ended up with a B in Physics, C in Biology, and D in Chemistry. But by the time I sat for my final IGCSEs, I got A* in Physics, A in Chemistry, and A in Biology.
Past papers helped me so much, and I didn’t stop until I had done every paper up to 2016. Just make sure you understand the concepts and don’t memorise answers.
It depends on you and how hard you’re willing to work. I found them easy, but I did an insane number of past papers—like 7 to 8 hours of study every day. I wrote down every mistake I made and learned from them. The effort you put in really matters.
They’re not too hard if you keep up with past papers, pay attention in class, and understand the basics.