How to Self-Study for IGCSEs

Key Takeaways

• Self-study puts you in charge of your learning: Whether you're homeschooled, retaking exams, or learning outside the classroom, you can succeed with the right mindset, structure, and resources.

• Start by knowing your syllabus and picking the right materials: Use syllabus-specific textbooks, recent past papers, and clear revision notes so you focus only on what’s actually tested.

• Work smarter with active revision and a solid routine: Techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and timed past papers are more effective than passive reading. A realistic timetable with breaks will also help keep your learning on track. Remember, IGCSEs are a marathon, not a sprint.

• Tackle challenges with confidence and stay connected: Use videos and mark schemes to break down tricky topics. Stay motivated with goals and find community in online study groups to help support you.

Studying IGCSEs on your own? It might feel overwhelming at first, but don’t panic. Whether you’re a private candidate, homeschooled, or just looking for extra support outside of class, you can succeed. Many students around the world study independently and still achieve excellent results.

This guide will walk you through everything, from choosing the right materials to building a revision routine and staying motivated. It’s designed for students who want to take charge of their learning and do well in their IGCSEs, even without formal classroom support.

Why Self-Study for IGCSEs?

There are plenty of reasons why you might be studying IGCSEs on your own. Maybe you’re:

• A private candidate

• Being homeschooled

• Catching up on missed topics

• Supplementing school lessons with extra revision

• Retaking exams

Whatever your reason, self-study gives you flexibility. But with that freedom comes the need for structure, discipline, and planning. The good news? With the right approach and the right tools, you can absolutely ace your learning.

Step 1: Know Your Exam Board and Syllabus

Before you dive into revision, you need to know which exam board you’re studying. IGCSEs are offered by three major exam boards: Cambridge (CIE), Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA.

Once you know your exam board, download the official specification for each of your subjects. Make sure you’ve got the correct exam board and paper. 

The specification sets out all the topics and content you can be tested on in your exams. If you know everything on your specification, you will be very well-prepared for your exam. Knowing your specification will also help you avoid wasting time on content that won’t be on your exam.

Step 2: Choose the Right Study Materials

Not all resources are made equal. Stick to ones that match your syllabus.

Essentials

• Revision notes and workbooks: Concise revision notes and summaries can help reinforce what you’ve learned, as well as give you advice for revision and exam prep. Use resources from the likes of Save My Exams that are designed for your exam board. 

• Past papers and mark schemes: You can find a range of past papers and mark schemes on Save My Exams. 

Extras

• YouTube channels and video lessons: Videos are ideal for visual explanations and improving your understanding of tricky topics. Seeing someone go through a worked example or essay can be a great way of understanding exam questions and improving your skills quickly.

• Save My Exams’ topic questions and model answers: Save My Exams IGCSE resources are especially helpful for practicing exam-style questions in the run-up to your exams. They model good exam technique and demonstrate exactly what you need to do to gain top marks.

Step 3: Build a Revision Timetable That Works

You don’t need to study for 12 hours a day to succeed, but you do need consistency. Here are some top tips for structuring your learning:

• Break each subject into weekly or biweekly topics depending on their length and complexity

• Use a spreadsheet, bullet journal, or task-tracking apps, like Notion (opens in a new tab) and Todoist (opens in a new tab), to record your progress

• Mix subjects throughout the week to keep things interesting

• Schedule regular past paper practice

• Don’t forget to include rest days to avoid stress and burnout

Your plan should work for you, not stress you out. Start small and build up as you go. Learn more about how to prepare for IGCSEs and revision strategies that work.

Step 4: Use Active Revision Techniques

Passive revision, when you just read and highlight text or copy notes from a textbook, can feel productive but usually doesn’t help much with memorising or consolidating information. 

Active revision techniques are more effective in helping you learn, memorise and effectively recall important information and concepts. Examples of active revision techniques include active recall, spaced repetition and past paper practice.

Active Recall

Active recall is when you revise information through testing your knowledge. This can be done through a range of methods, including:

• Flashcards

• Online, oral or written quizzes

• Drawing mind maps or writing out bullet points out from memory

• Blurting (when you revise a topic and then, without using your notes, write down everything you remember about it)

• Teaching the topic to someone else and having them ask you questions about it

These techniques are particularly useful for learning new vocabulary and definitions, short facts, statistics and equations and real-world examples.

Spaced Repetition

Review information at increasing intervals over time (e.g. 1 day, 3 days, 7 days). Space out your revision sessions so content stays in your long-term memory.

Interleaving

Interleaving means mixing different subjects or topics in one study session instead of focusing on just one. For example, you might do 30 minutes of Maths, then switch to Biology, then return to Maths later.

This keeps your brain challenged and improves long-term memory by helping you make connections between different types of content. It’s especially useful for problem-solving subjects like Maths and Science.

Step 5: Practice Past Papers Early and Often

Past papers are another great way to revise. Test your knowledge of topics by completing individual questions, and improve your time-management skills and exam technique by completing whole papers under timed conditions.

Once you’ve written your answer, you can then use the mark scheme to check your answers are correct and meet all marking criteria.

Step 6: Tackle Common Self-Study Challenges

Studying alone has its ups and downs. Here’s how to stay on track.

Motivation and Discipline

Staying motivated during self-study can be challenging, especially when there is no teacher keeping you on track and no peers to compare yourself to. 

Try setting small, achievable goals for each study session and give yourself a reward when you meet them. The Pomodoro Technique is a helpful method that involves studying for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break, to keep your focus and avoid mental fatigue.

Difficult Topics

When you find yourself struggling with a topic, use mark schemes and examiners’ reports to understand how that topic is assessed in real exams. You can also search for alternative explanations in video lessons or student forums, which may explain the material in a way that clicks better for you.

Loneliness and Burnout

Self-study can sometimes feel lonely, so it helps to join online communities or Discord study groups where you can talk to others in the same situation. To avoid burnout, make sure to include regular breaks, stay active, and spend time on hobbies or interests outside of studying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to study an IGCSE subject independently?

Around 120 to 150 hours per subject is generally advised. This time, when spread over several months, is very manageable with a structured plan.

Do I need a tutor to do well in IGCSEs?

Having a tutor can be useful, but isn’t essential. Many students succeed on their own. What matters is having a good plan, consistent habits, and strong resources.

How many subjects should I self-study at once?

It depends on your schedule and goals. Most students manage 5 to 7 subjects in a year with proper planning.

Where can I find IGCSE revision resources?

Save My Exams offers a wide range of resources for IGCSE revision that are perfect for students who want extra support while studying independently. These include:

• Topic questions and model answers

• Teacher-written revision notes and flashcards

• Past papers with mark schemes

• Exam tips and walkthroughs

• Articles with revision tips and study advice

Explore all Save My Exam IGCSE revision resources.

Final Thoughts

Self-studying for IGCSEs might seem tough, but it’s absolutely doable. With the right mindset, resources, and structure, you can take full control of your education and succeed on your terms. Bad days happen. Motivation dips. But progress builds over time, and every revision session counts. You’ve got this!