How to Get A* in IGCSE Chemistry | EdFlik
How to Get A* in IGCSE Chemistry: 8 Expert Tips for UAE Students
To score A* in IGCSE Chemistry (Cambridge 0620), you need to go beyond memorising facts — you need to understand how Cambridge examiners award marks across Paper 2, Paper 4, and Paper 6, and practise applying that knowledge under timed conditions. Students in the UAE who consistently achieve A* typically master the syllabus's high-weight topics, work through five or more years of past papers, and use mark schemes to audit exactly where their marks are lost.
What Is the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) A* Grade Boundary?
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry uses the Cambridge 0620 syllabus across two tiers — Core and Extended. For an A*, you must sit the Extended tier. The A* grade boundary varies by series, but typically falls in the 80–85% range overall across all components. For UAE students sitting the May/June or October/November series, this means leaving very little room for error on any of the three papers.
8 Tips to Score A* in IGCSE Chemistry
Tip 1: Understand the Difference Between Paper 4 (Theory) and Paper 6 (Practical)
Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, 45 minutes, 40 questions) tests breadth — recall facts, apply straightforward reasoning, and work quickly at roughly 67 seconds per question. Paper 4 (Theory, 75 minutes) tests depth — structured, multi-part, mark-scheme-driven questions where partial credit is rare. Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical, 60 minutes) tests whether you can think like a scientist without being in a lab: experimental design, identifying variables, reading graphs, calculating percentage error, and critiquing methods. A* students prepare differently for each paper.
Tip 2: Master Moles and Stoichiometry First — They Appear in Every Paper
Stoichiometry is the single topic that causes the most avoidable mark loss in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620. Mole calculations, empirical and molecular formulae, percentage yield, percentage purity, and reacting mass calculations appear across all three papers. Students who struggle with moles do not just lose marks in the stoichiometry section — they lose marks in sections on electrolysis, energetics, and organic chemistry as well.
· Commit the core formula (moles = mass / molar mass) and its rearrangements to memory
· Practise converting between moles, volumes of gases at room temperature and pressure (using 24 dm3 mol-1), and concentrations of solutions
· Work through at least 20 standalone stoichiometry questions from 0620/42 papers before attempting any full past paper
· When you get a calculation wrong, trace back to identify whether the error was in formula selection, unit conversion, or the stoichiometric ratio
Tip 3: Learn Organic Chemistry as a Series of Reaction Pathways, Not Individual Facts
Organic chemistry questions in Cambridge Paper 4 typically require you to identify an unknown compound from a series of reactions, propose a synthetic route, or explain the mechanism of a reaction. These questions are not testable through rote learning alone. Build a reaction pathway diagram that includes alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, and polymers. When you encounter an unfamiliar question, ask yourself: what functional group does the starting material have, and what reagents and conditions would convert it to the product?
Tip 4: Write Definitions Exactly — Cambridge Awards Marks for Precision
One of the most common reasons capable IGCSE Chemistry students fall short of an A* is imprecise definitions in Paper 4. Cambridge mark schemes award marks for specific wording, and paraphrases that are close but not exact are frequently marked as zero. The following definitions must be learned verbatim: relative atomic mass, electrolysis, exothermic reaction, activation energy, and catalyst. Make a definitions list and test yourself by writing each one from memory, then checking it against the Cambridge 0620 syllabus wording.
Tip 5: Practise Paper 2 MCQ Speed — 45 Minutes for 40 Questions Leaves No Margin
Paper 2 is the component most UAE students underestimate. The time pressure of 40 questions in 45 minutes is severe, and many questions require calculation or multi-step reasoning. Complete a full Paper 2 (0620/22) under strict exam conditions at least once a fortnight in the two months before the exam. After each attempt, categorise every error: was it a knowledge gap, a calculation error, or a misread question? Aim to complete 40 questions in 38 minutes, leaving two minutes to review flagged questions.
Tip 6: Use Past Papers from the Last 5 Years (0620/42 and 0620/62 Specifically)
The Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry syllabus was revised for first examination in 2023, which means papers from before 2021 may include topics or question styles that no longer appear. For UAE students targeting the current series, the most relevant papers are 0620/42 (Extended Theory Paper 4), 0620/22 (Extended MCQ Paper 2), and 0620/62 (Alternative to Practical Paper 6). Work through each past paper in two stages: first under timed, exam conditions with no notes; then marked against the official Cambridge mark scheme.
Tip 7: Understand What Examiners Mean by 'Explain', 'Describe', and 'State'
Cambridge uses command words with precise meanings. 'State' requires a factual answer only — no justification. 'Describe' requires observations or a sequence of events — what happens, not why. 'Explain' requires a cause-and-effect answer — what happens AND why it happens, using chemical reasoning. 'Suggest' requires reasoning applied to an unfamiliar situation. The most commonly missed marks occur when students answer a 'describe' question with an 'explain' response or vice versa. When practising past papers, underline the command word in every question before writing your answer.
Tip 8: Work With a Specialist IGCSE Chemistry Tutor
A specialist IGCSE Chemistry tutor does three things that self-study cannot replicate: identifies your specific weak areas precisely; provides mark-scheme-level feedback on your written answers; and holds you to a structured revision timeline. EdFlik connects UAE students in Grades 9 and 10 with experienced, qualified IGCSE Chemistry tutors for one-to-one online sessions starting from AED 45 per session. All tutors are current or former school teachers with five or more years of experience teaching Cambridge curriculum subjects. Book a free trial class at edflik.com to see how a specialist tutor can accelerate your preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hardest topics in IGCSE Chemistry 0620?
The topics that cause the most mark loss for Extended tier students are moles and stoichiometry, organic chemistry reaction pathways, and the Alternative to Practical (Paper 6) questions on experimental design and error analysis. Electrochemistry — specifically electrolysis of molten and aqueous solutions — is also consistently challenging because students confuse the rules for electrode products. All of these topics require structured practice with mark schemes rather than note-taking alone.
How many past papers should I do before my IGCSE Chemistry exam?
For a student targeting an A*, completing at least five full sets of Papers 2, 4, and 6 from the last five years under timed conditions is a realistic minimum. That means five Paper 2 MCQs (0620/22), five Paper 4 extended theory papers (0620/42), and five Paper 6 alternative to practical papers (0620/62), all reviewed thoroughly against Cambridge mark schemes. Students who begin this process three to four months before the exam have enough time to complete papers, review them in detail, and address the gaps they identify.
Is IGCSE Chemistry harder than IGCSE Biology?
IGCSE Chemistry is widely considered more challenging than IGCSE Biology at the Extended tier, primarily because of the mathematical content. Stoichiometry, mole calculations, and energy calculations in Chemistry require consistent numerical accuracy in addition to conceptual understanding, whereas Biology is more content-heavy but less dependent on calculation skills. Students who are strong in quantitative reasoning often find Chemistry more accessible; students who prefer descriptive recall sometimes find Biology easier to score highly in.
Can I improve from a grade C to A* in IGCSE Chemistry in one term?
A jump from grade C to A* in a single term is possible but requires a highly focused and intensive approach. Grade C performance typically indicates gaps in multiple core areas — most commonly stoichiometry, organic chemistry, and written explanation skills. Students who have made this improvement consistently have done so by identifying their specific weak areas through past paper analysis, working with a specialist tutor to address those gaps systematically, and completing a high volume of timed practice in the final six to eight weeks. One term is enough time to make the improvement, but it requires consistent weekly effort and honest self-assessment.
Book a Free IGCSE Chemistry Trial Class
EdFlik offers personalised, one-to-one IGCSE Chemistry tutoring for Grade 9 and Grade 10 students across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE, with sessions available from AED 45. All tutors are qualified school teachers with Cambridge curriculum experience. Book a free trial class at edflik.com and take the first step toward your A*.
