IGCSE German Topics By Exam Board: Full List

Published

29 November 2025

Contents

As an IGCSE student, it’s important to understand the topics covered by your exam board so you can approach new subjects and revision with confidence.

If you’re in Year 9 and planning ahead for starting IGCSEs next year, knowing the course content can help you decide whether German is the right subject for you. For students in Year 10 or 11 preparing for the IGCSE German exam, being familiar with the required topics ensures you know what will be tested and allows you to focus your revision effectively.

This guide offers a complete overview of IGCSE German topics for the Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab) and Cambridge (CIE) (opens in a new tab) exam boards to help you better organise your revision and stay on-track with your learning.

Key Takeaways

• Make sure you know your exam board’s content: Following your specific specification ensures you’re revising topics that will actually appear in your exam and avoiding wasting time on material you do not need to know.

• A clear revision structure builds confidence: Dividing vocabulary and grammar by topic and practising listening, speaking, reading, and writing within each theme will help you make steady, balanced progress.

• Past papers are one of the most effective tools: Working through real exam questions improves exam technique, boosts familiarity with task types, and highlights areas that need more attention.

Why Exam Board Matters in IGCSE German

When preparing for IGCSE German exams, it’s natural to wonder how differences between exam boards might affect your studies and revision. Some students are curious about which topics will be emphasised by each course, while others want to understand how the structure of the exam could influence their performance.

As a tutor, I know how important it is to follow your specific exam board’s syllabus closely, as even small differences in content or assessment style can make a big impact. Being aware of these distinctions can help you focus on the right material, build confidence, and approach your exams with a clear strategy.

If you’re unsure about which exam board you’re studying, ask your German teacher, form tutor or another member of your school. The name of the board may also be on your class materials or textbooks.

Need IGCSE German specifications and past papers to support your learning? Browse Save My Exams’ resources for both Cambridge and Edexcel exams.

Cambridge IGCSE German (Foreign Language 0525)

For the Cambridge IGCSE German course, the exams focus on Skills and Content. The Skills component requires you to develop key skills in the areas of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. These skills will need to be applied to five content areas, which are:

Everyday activities	• Time expressions (e.g. telling the time, days, days of the week, months, seasons) • Food and drink (e.g. meals, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and seafood, snacks, drinks, cutlery and utensils) • The human body and health (e.g. parts of the body, health and illness) • Travel and transport
Personal and social life	• Self, family and friends • In the home (e.g. rooms, living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, furniture and furnishings, garden, household appliances) • Colours • Clothes and accessories • Leisure time (e.g. things to do, hobbies, sport)
The world around us	• People and places (e.g. continents, countries and nationalities, compass points) • The natural world, the environment, the climate and the weather • Communications and technology (e.g. the digital world, documents and texts) • The built environment (e.g. buildings and services, urban areas, shopping) • Measurements (e.g. size, shape) • Materials
The world of work	• Education (e.g. learning institutions, education and training, the classroom, learning tools, subjects, studying) • Work (e.g. jobs and careers, the workplace)
The international world	• Countries, nationalities and languages • Culture, customs, faiths and celebrations

For more detailed information about the skills and content requirements for Cambridge IGCSE German, review the official specification (opens in a new tab).

Edexcel IGCSE German (4GN1)

For the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE German course, the exams also focus on Skills and Content. The Skills component requires you to develop key skills in the areas of Listening, Reading and Writing, and Speaking. These skills will also need to be applied to five content areas, which are:

Home and abroad	Life in the town and rural life Holidays, tourist information and directions Services(e.g.bank (opens in a new tab), post office) Customs Everyday life, traditions and communities
Education and employment	School life and routine School rules and pressures School trips, events and exchanges Work, careers and volunteering Future plans
Personal life and relationships	House and home Daily routines and helping at home Role models Relationships with family and friends Childhood
The world around us	Environmental issues Weather and climate Travel and transport The media Information and communication technology
Social activities, fitness and health	Special occasions Hobbies, interests, sports and exercise Shopping and money matters Accidents, injuries, common ailments and health issues Food and drink

For more detailed information about the skills and content requirements for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE German, review the official specification (opens in a new tab).

How to Use This Topic List in Your IGCSE German Revision

When revising for IGCSE German, it helps to have a clear plan. Here is my step-by-step approach as an experienced IGCSE tutor and former A* GCSE German student for making your revision more focused and effective.

1. Organise Vocabulary by Topic

Start by grouping vocabulary into clear themes such as the sub-topics in the tables above, like Special occasions, Hobbies and Work. This makes it easier to remember words when practising writing or speaking. I recommend creating a colour-coded folder or digital document for each topic too so you can easily find information in your revision notes.

2. Practise All Four Skills

IGCSE German exams test listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Rotate your focus so each skill gets regular attention. For example, you could focus on listening and reading on one day and speaking and writing on another. This ensures you are confident in every part of the exam.

3. Use Past Papers

Practicing with past papers is one of the best ways to prepare. It helps you get used to the exam format, timing, and question types. Save My Exams provides a range of past papers for both CIE IGCSE German and Edexcel IGCSE German exams to help you hone your exam technique.

4. Focus on Topic-Specific Questions

After reviewing past papers, use topic-specific questions to target weaker areas.

5. Use Flashcards and Self-Testing

Create flashcards for tricky vocabulary and grammar points and test yourself regularly. Repetition helps commit material to long-term memory.

6. Track Your Progress

Keep a record of the topics and skills you struggle with and revisit them often. Focused repetition builds confidence and reduces exam stress.

Following these steps will make your IGCSE German revision more structured, thorough, and effective. With consistent practice using these strategies and resources, you’ll feel well-prepared and confident on exam day.

For more IGCSE revision tips, check out our guide on How to Prepare for IGCSEs, with a wealth of practical tips and techniques to boost your exam prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE German topics the same?

No, these exam boards have unique specifications with different topics. Although there is some overlap on the topics Cambridge and Edexcel test in their exams, it is crucial you follow your specific exam board as there are key differences between their content.

How can I find out which exam board I’m taking?

Your teacher, tutor or school will be able to tell you exactly which board you’re taking. You may also be able to see the name of the exam board on your textbooks or learning materials.

HINT: check the front covers and first few pages for names like Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge Assessment.

Do I need to know every topic in detail for the exam?

If a topic is on your exam board’s specification, it is possible it could come up in your exam. If you learn every topic in detail, you will be well-prepared for your exam and stand a better chance of success.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for IGCSE German is much easier when you focus on the exact topics set by your exam board and use them to guide your revision.

Organising your vocabulary by theme, practising all four skills regularly, and working through past papers can help you build confidence and improve steadily.

References

German IGCSE Specification (Pearson Edexcel) (opens in a new tab)
German IGCSE Specification (Cambridge (CIE) (opens in a new tab)

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