How to get an A* in IGCSE Physics
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
An A* in IGCSE Physics needs the Extended route, secure equations and units, and strong practical skills, since the practical or Alternative to Practical paper is worth 20%.
The papers (2026-2028 syllabus)
- โ Paper 2, Multiple Choice (Extended): 45 minutes, 40 four-option questions, 40 marks, 30%
- โ Paper 4, Theory (Extended): 1 hour 15 minutes, 80 marks, 50%
- โ Paper 5, Practical Test (1 hour 15 minutes) or Paper 6, Alternative to Practical (1 hour): 40 marks, 20%
- โ Extended candidates are eligible for grades A* to G; Core candidates (Papers 1 and 3) can reach a C at most
Where A* marks are lost
- โ Equations recalled wrongly or rearranged incorrectly
- โ Missing or wrong units, and too many significant figures
- โ Explanations that describe what happens without the physics reason
- โ Practical questions on variables, repeats, sources of error and improvements
- โ Graph skills: scales, best-fit lines and gradients
A revision plan
- โ Make a single equation sheet and test yourself on it weekly
- โ Work through past Paper 4 questions by topic, marking against the mark scheme
- โ Practise Paper 6 even if you sit Paper 5: it trains planning and evaluation
- โ Do 40-question multiple-choice papers in 45 minutes for speed
- โ In the last month, full timed papers and a list of repeated errors
FAQs
How many papers are there in IGCSE Physics?๏ผ
Three: a multiple-choice paper, a theory paper and a practical paper (Paper 5) or Alternative to Practical (Paper 6).
Can you get an A* on IGCSE Physics Core?๏ผ
No. Core candidates can reach a C at most; the Extended papers are needed for A*.
How much is the practical paper worth?๏ผ
20%, whether it's Paper 5 (Practical Test) or Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical).
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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