IGCSE Chemistry for Core Route Students

If you are taking the Core tier of Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry, this page explains what that means, what the exam expects, and how to make the most of it. The Core tier is a valid and worthwhile qualification, and with the right preparation, you can achieve a strong grade.

What Core means

The IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus is divided into Core and Supplement content. Core students study the Core content only, which covers the essential concepts across all twelve topics but excludes the more advanced material. Extended students study both Core and Supplement content.

The practical difference is that Core students do not need to learn:

• The more complex stoichiometry calculations such as titration calculations, percentage yield, empirical formula from data, and gas volume calculations
• Detailed bond energy calculations
• Some of the more advanced electrochemistry content
• Certain aspects of organic chemistry reactions

The Core exam papers are Paper 1 (multiple choice, 45 minutes) and Paper 3 (theory, 1 hour 15 minutes), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 for the practical component. These papers test the Core content only.

For a full comparison, read Core vs Extended.

What you still need to learn

Do not assume Core is easy because it covers less. You still need to understand:

• States of matter and changes of state
• Atomic structure, including protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic
• The periodic table: groups, periods, and trends
• Acids, bases and salts: reactions, pH, and indicators
• Chemical reactions: rates and energy changes
• Metals: reactivity series and extraction
• Organic chemistry: basic naming and properties of alkanes and alkenes
• Experimental techniques: separation methods and practical skills

Core-level calculations include relative formula mass, moles from mass, mass from moles, percentage composition, and Rf values. These are entirely manageable with practice.

How to prepare

Follow the syllabus. Check which learning objectives are marked “C” (Core) in the syllabus document. These are the only ones you will be examined on.

Practise with Core-level questions. When using past papers, look for Paper 1 and Paper 3 (Core papers). These are calibrated to the Core syllabus and reflect the difficulty level you will face.

Master the basics thoroughly. On Core, there are fewer topics to cover, which means you have more time to understand each one deeply. Use this advantage. A student who knows Core content thoroughly will score higher than one who has studied Extended content superficially.

Learn the key calculations. The calculations section on this site starts with Foundation-level methods that are directly relevant to Core. Work through relative formula mass, moles from mass, and percentage composition until they are automatic.

Should you switch to Extended?

If you are finding Core comfortable and consistently scoring above 70% on Core past papers, it may be worth discussing a switch to Extended with your teacher. Extended opens up the possibility of higher grades (up to A*), which may be important for university applications or A Level progression.

The switch requires learning additional content and practising with harder exam papers. If you are considering it, the earlier you decide, the better. Read the full comparison at Core vs Extended.

Getting support

If you are finding Core content challenging, a specialist tutor can help. Online 1-to-1 tutoring is available for Core students and focuses on building the foundational understanding that the Core exam tests.

Find out about how online IGCSE Chemistry classes work or book a trial lesson.