How to Revise for IGCSE Physics

After more than a decade teaching physics, I know that students often find the IGCSE difficult. Over the years, though, I’ve learned that the right revision strategies, a clear plan, and persistence meant my students were able to master even the trickiest concepts and feel confident going into the exams. 

With the help of this guide, so can you.

From understanding the exam structure to creating the perfect study schedule, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about revising for IGCSE Physics effectively. 

Why Students Struggle with IGCSE Physics

IGCSE Physics is tough, and there are a couple of reasons why students find it difficult.

First: there is so much of it. You’ll learn mechanics, electricity, thermal physics, waves and more. And each topic has its own set of formulas, concepts, and applications.

Then there’s the maths. You'll need to handle complex equations and manipulate formulas. All in the context of a physics calculation.

But here's the good news: every top-performing physics student started exactly where you are now. The difference isn't natural talent – it's using proven revision methods that actually work.

Understand the Exam Structure

Exam structure differs by exam board. Here are two of them.

Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625/0972)

You’ll take three of the six papers listed below.

• Paper 1: Multiple choice questions (Core) (45 minutes)

• Paper 2: Multiple choice questions (Extended) (45 minutes)

• Paper 3: Theory (Core) (1 hour 15 minutes)

• Paper 4: Theory (Extended) (1 hour 15 minutes)

• Paper 5: Practical test (1 hour 15 minutes)

• Paper 6: Alternative to practical (1 hour)

Edexcel IGCSE Physics (4PH1)

• Paper 1P: Physics (2 hours)

• Paper 2P: Physics (1 hour 15 minutes)

There’ll be multiple choice questions, short-answer questions (like definitions) and more structured questions, some with calculations, and some testing your experimental skills and data analysis abilities.

Understanding this structure helps you tailor your revision. You'll need different strategies for memorising facts versus solving complex problems.

Start with the Official Syllabus

Your syllabus is your revision roadmap. It lists every topic that could appear in your exam.

You can download the latest syllabus from your exam board's website:

• Cambridge IGCSE Physics syllabus (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel IGCSE Physics specification (opens in a new tab)

Or, you can find all exam specifications at Save My Exams. 

You can use the syllabus to guide your revision and to track your revision progress. Create a checklist and tick off topics as you complete them. That way, you’ll know you’re covering everything you need to cover but nothing more.

Tackle Physics Topic by Topic

IGCSE Physics has lots of content. Breaking that content down into small topic areas will make your revision more manageable, meaning you’re less likely to become overwhelmed by the scale of the exam-prep task facing you.  

Forces and Motion

This foundational topic covers speed, acceleration, forces, and momentum. Focus on understanding vector quantities and Newton's laws.

Energy, Work and Power

Energy transformations appear throughout physics. Master the different types of energy and conservation principles early in your revision.

Revision tip: Create energy flow diagrams for common energy-transfer situations like pendulums or roller coasters.

Thermal Physics

Temperature and heat transfer connect to everyday experiences - think ice melting in a glass of coke, or a room warming up when you put the heating on. Using real-world examples can cement your understanding in this topic, and they appear in exam questions too.

Waves

Questions about sound waves, light waves and the electromagnetic spectrum are common, and often involve calculations. 

Practise wave calculations and understand the wave equation (v = f𝜆). Remember, you might have to use the equation v = d/t in waves calculations too.

Electricity and Magnetism

When you turn on a light or the TV, you can see the effects of electricity, but electricity itself? Well, that’s invisible. You might know there’s a current flowing, but you can’t see it. And it’s the same with magnetism - you just can’t see it. 

This ‘invisibility’ means the questions on this topic are tricky. Add in the maths needed, and they can seem impossible. 

Build your confidence with plenty of practice problems – start small and work your way up to past paper questions.

Nuclear Physics

This is another abstract topic, where you’ll learn about things you can’t see. Focus on understanding the different types of radioactivity and their properties. And make sure you practise half-life calculations.

Use Active Recall and Spaced Repetition

Reading your notes will form a big part of your revision – after all, they contain all the topics you need to learn. Here’s the thing though: just reading your notes isn’t enough. You also need more active techniques that force your brain to retrieve information, techniques like active recall and spaced repetition.

Active recall is a learning method where you test yourself without looking at notes. It trains your memory and retrieval skills - just what you need for exams. And it can help you identify gaps in your knowledge.

Spaced repetition means you go over the topics you’ve studied at increasing intervals - so after a day, then after three days and then after a week, say. And because you’re reviewing the information before you’ve had a chance to forget it, you’re much more likely to be able to remember it in the exam.

Practical Active Recall Methods

• Use flashcards for key definitions and formulas.

• Teach concepts to friends or family members.

• Draw diagrams from memory.

Digital Tools That Help

Save My Exams has done the hard work for you. Find IGCSE Physics flashcards, which you can use to test yourself on the definitions and formulae you already know and to work on those that you feel less confident in.

Master the Physics Formulas

IGCSE Physics includes dozens of formulas. Writing them out may help you remember them, but the following techniques will really get them stuck in your brain, ready to be ‘called up’ when you need them in the exam.

Memory Techniques That Work

Create stories or memory aids: For the wave equation v = fλ, remember "Very Fast Llamas" (velocity = frequency × wavelength).

Understand the physics involved: Knowing which formulas belong to which topic can help you remember them. 

Practice in context: Don't just memorise F = ma. Solve problems where you need to rearrange it to find mass or acceleration.

Create a formula sheet for quick reference, but don't rely on it exclusively. You may be given a formula sheet for the exam, but you still need to know when and how to use each equation.

Practise with Past Papers

Past papers are your secret weapon for exam success. They show you exactly what examiners expect and help you identify knowledge gaps.

Where to Find Past Papers

• Exam board websites.

• Save My Exams’ past paper database

• Your school's learning platform

How to Use Past Papers Effectively

Start untimed: Focus on understanding question types and mark schemes before worrying about time restrictions.

Analyse mark schemes carefully: Look for key words that you need to use to get a mark (these will be underlined in the mark scheme). Examiners often want to see specific terminology and physics vocabulary.

Read examiner reports: These highlight common student mistakes and tell you what high-scoring answers include.

Time yourself before the exam: Once you're comfortable with the content, practise under exam conditions.

Make Use of Visuals and Videos

Physics concepts become clearer when you can visualise them, and videos can really help with this.

Check out Save My Exams Physics IGCSE YouTube channel (opens in a new tab). You’ll find videos created by physics examiners containing detailed explanations and practical examples for every key topic that you need to know about.

Create Your Own Visual Aids

Mind maps: Because creating a mind map means you have to organise the information contained in a topic, it can help you remember the topic and understand it better.

Concept diagrams: Draw circuit diagrams, wave patterns, and force diagrams by hand. This reinforces your understanding.

Flowcharts: Create step-by-step guides for solving common problem types, like finding the distance a wave has to travel between a satellite and the Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Hours Should I Revise for IGCSE Physics?

In my experience as a physics educator, successful students spend 6–8 hours per week on physics revision in the two months before exams. This includes active study, practice questions, and review sessions.

Quality matters more than quantity. Two hours of focused, active revision beats four hours of passive reading.

What Topics Are Most Important in IGCSE Physics?

All syllabus topics can appear in exams, but these topics often have high-mark questions.

• Forces and Motion

• Electricity and Circuits

• Waves

How Can I Improve My Calculation Skills?

Practise. And then practise some more. 

• Start with simple calculations, where no rearranging is required.

• Progress to more complex problems, where you may need to use and rearrange more than one formula. 

Should I Focus More on Notes or Practice Questions?

You need to do both, but prioritise practice questions in the final weeks before exams. Understanding theory is essential, but exam success requires you to apply that theory to exam questions.

Final Thoughts

In my experience, successful IGCSE Physics revision combines science-backed strategies, such as active recall, with sustained effort. Start early, and practice regularly with past papers.

Top grades in IGCSE Physics are absolutely achievable. Begin your revision plan today, stay consistent, and trust the process. Success is within your reach. You can achieve the results you're aiming for.