Top 5 Hardest IGCSEs To Study In 2026

If you're choosing your IGCSE options, you might be wondering which subjects are considered the hardest to study in 2026.  

How difficult you find an IGCSE will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses, but it's helpful to understand the demands of each subject. With some subjects, you’ll have a lot of material to learn and remember. Others are more coursework-heavy and will require you to meet deadlines.

This guide aims to highlight some of the hardest IGCSEs you can study in 2026. But remember: difficulty is subjective, and you should take a number of things into account when choosing your IGCSEs

Key Takeaways

• The hardest IGCSEs are often those with lower pass rates or heavy content demands, including subjects like Physics, Maths, and Chemistry.

• Abstract concepts, complex problem-solving, and large workloads are the main reasons subjects like Sciences and Maths are seen as difficult.

• Difficulty is highly individual, so choosing subjects aligned with your strengths, learning style, and future plans matters more than avoiding “hard” options.

What IGCSEs Have The Lowest Pass Rate?

To find the hardest IGCSEs you can study in 2026, we looked at Cambridge International’s November 2025 IGCSE results (opens in a new tab). This data shows the subjects with the lowest pass rates last summer. 

The pass rate is the percentage of students who achieved a grade C or higher. Subjects with the lowest pass rates may be viewed as the toughest to pass, with fewer students managing to reach this benchmark.

What Are The Hardest IGCSEs?

Just because a subject has the lowest pass rate, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the hardest IGCSE. A range of factors should be taken into account, including the complexity of the course content, the exam format and the workload involved. 

The data above suggests that these might be the hardest GCSEs:

1. Travel and Tourism

2. Religious Studies

3. ICT

4. First Language Setswana

5. English as a Second Language

However, there are other IGCSEs that are considered ‘hard’. These are

1. Physics

2. Maths

3. Chemistry

4. Economics

5. Additional Maths

Good to know: Many of these IGCSEs are compulsory subjects, including English, Maths and Science. In some schools, you may choose Combined Science - which combines Biology, Physics and Chemistry and results in a single qualification. Alternatively, you might opt for Coordinated Science or Triple Science. 

Coordinated Science goes into more depth than Combined Science and results in two qualifications. Triple Science involves studying each subject separately and results in three individual grades. 

Other compulsory subjects may include: 

• A second language

• A humanities subject (e.g. History or Geography)

• Religious Studies

1. Physics

Pass Rate: 71.8%

IGCSE Physics is known for covering complex topics in detail, such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and energy. 

As a result, it’s often thought of as one of the hardest IGCSEs you can study, requiring a deep understanding of abstract concepts and theories.

Not all students have to study IGCSE Physics as a standalone subject. Some can opt to do Combined or Coordinated Science instead. However, all students will study Physics in some form.

So, how can you tackle this difficult IGCSE? This article from our Physics expert Leander Oates covers nine ways to revise effectively for GCSE Physics - you can apply these tips to IGCSE, too. 

Or, use our IGCSE Physics revision resources to start learning. 

2. Maths

Pass Rate: 61.3%

IGCSE Maths is another challenging subject, and one that all IGCSE students will study. As a core subject, it gives you essential skills to succeed in a wide range of future academic and career paths. 

IGCSE Maths is often considered one of the hardest IGCSEs, as you’ll cover challenging topics like algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Despite Maths being a difficult subject to study, our article from Maths expert Naomi offers six key tips on how to maximise success in IGCSE Maths. 

3. Chemistry 

Pass Rate: 75.7%

IGCSE Chemistry covers difficult topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding and the behaviour of gases. Some students struggle with Chemistry, as these concepts can be tough to visualise and understand. 

The amount of content to be covered also makes it one of the harder IGCSEs, as it requires students to memorise a lot of formulas.  

If you need help tackling some of the more challenging IGCSE Chemistry topics that can catch students out, our article from Chemistry expert Philippa can help. You may also find our IGCSE Chemistry flashcards can be a great way to test yourself and highlight any areas of weakness. 

Remember, you may not have to study IGCSE Chemistry as a standalone subject, however you’ll definitely cover it as part of Combined or Coordinated Science. 

4. Economics 

Pass Rate: 74.4%

IGCSE Economics can be challenging because it involves understanding complicated theories and applying them to the real world. 

Students need to grasp ideas such as supply and demand, different types of markets, inflation and government policies. 

However, if you enjoy learning about how the world works and you’re confident working with data, you shouldn’t be discouraged from choosing it. 

You may want to study IGCSE Economics if:

• You have strong critical thinking skills 

• You enjoy analysing graphs and data

• You want to develop skills applicable to various careers, such as business, finance, politics and banking

5. History 

Pass Rate: 66%

IGCSE History is known for covering a wide range of historical periods and events, such as international relations, conflicts, and political developments.

It’s often considered a challenging IGCSE because it requires strong factual knowledge and the ability to analyse sources, evaluate interpretations, and construct well-structured arguments. However, it remains a popular choice for students interested in humanities and social sciences.

So, how can you tackle this content-heavy IGCSE? Focus on understanding key events and themes, practising source-based questions, and developing clear, evidence-based essays.

Or, use our IGCSE History revision resources to strengthen both your knowledge and exam technique.

Factors Influencing How ‘Hard’ An IGCSE Is

The difficulty of an IGCSE depends on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the subject, how much content you need to learn and what skills you need. Each student will find different subjects ‘easy’ or ‘hard’ depending on their own individual skills. 

Here are some things to take into account before choosing your IGCSEs: 

Personal Interests and Academic Strengths

Before anything else, you should take a moment to think about the subjects you currently enjoy the most and other subjects that interest you. 

Ask yourself these questions: 

• What are my favourite subjects, and what subjects am I the best at? 

• Do these subjects align with my future study plans or career goals?

• Do these subjects complement my learning style? (More on this below)

Learning Style 

Understanding your learning style is key to figuring out the subjects you may find the easiest or hardest. 

Some of the main types of learners are visual, kinaesthetic and reading/writing learners. Your preferred method of learning can influence how difficult you find a certain subject. 

Which IGCSEs Are The Hardest For Visual Learners?

If you're a visual learner who grasps information through diagrams, maps, charts and images, you might struggle with subjects that are primarily text-based. 

The IGCSE subjects that visual learners may find the hardest include:

• English Literature

• English Language

• History

• Religious Studies

Top tip: Try using mind maps, timelines, storyboards or infographics. These visual tools can make it easier to process and understand the material.

Which IGCSEs Are The Hardest For Kinaesthetic Learners?

As a kinaesthetic learner, you learn best through hands-on activities. This could involve physical movement or practical tasks like lab work. 

The IGCSE subjects that kinaesthetic learners may find the hardest include: 

• Maths

• Economics

• English Literature

• History

• Languages

• Business Studies 

Top tip: You might find interactive tools such as online quizzes or virtual flashcards helpful.

Which IGCSEs Are The Hardest For Reading/Writing Learners?

If you prefer to take notes and reread over information to absorb it, you may find non-text based subjects difficult. 

The IGCSE subjects that reading/writing learners may find the hardest include: 

• Maths

• Physics

• Chemistry

• PE

• Art & Design

• Design & Technology

Top tip: Focus on written materials whenever you can, including concise revision notes. 

Exam Format

The format of an IGCSE exam can make a subject easier or harder, depending on how it tests your knowledge. 

Some exams focus on multiple-choice questions or short answers, which some students find easier. Others require long essays or detailed explanations. 

If you struggle with essay-based subjects, you may find IGCSEs such as English Literature, English Language, Religious Studies, History, Drama and Art & Design harder. Whereas, if you enjoy exams focused on problem-solving, you may find IGCSEs like Maths, Additional Maths, Chemistry and Physics easier. 

Workload

Some IGCSEs may be perceived to have a higher workload than others, based on the amount of content to be covered. Some students prefer subjects with coursework, but this can mean managing multiple deadlines throughout the year. 

It all depends on your personal preferences and the type of work you find most manageable. 

That being said, IGCSE subjects such as English Literature, History, Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Art & Design are known for having quite a high workload.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IGCSE Subjects Had The Fewest Top Grades in 2025?

According to Cambridge International, the IGCSE subjects with the fewest top grades in November 2025 were:

Which IGCSE Exam Board Is The Hardest?

The main exam boards for IGCSE are Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (opens in a new tab), and Oxford International AQA Examinations (opens in a new tab). While no exam board is officially harder or easier, some IGCSE subjects may feel more challenging. This depends on the exam structure, question style and assessment methods used by each board. 

Will Choosing Harder IGCSEs Impact My Further Study?

Choosing harder IGCSE subjects can showcase your ability and willingness to take on challenges, which may be viewed positively by sixth forms, colleges and universities. 

But this isn’t everything. If you choose a balanced set of subjects, you may be more likely to perform better overall and achieve higher grades. 

Remember, to study some A Level or IB courses, you’ll be required to have achieved IGCSEs in specific subjects first. If you know which subjects you’d like to study in the future, it’s worth checking out the entry requirements. 

Read more like this: Top 5 Easiest IGCSEs To Study In 2026

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References

Cambridge International November 2025 IGCSE Results (opens in a new tab)

Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel IGCSEs (opens in a new tab)

Oxford AQA (opens in a new tab)