Is Year 10 too early to start revising for IGCSE Chemistry?

No. Year 10 is the right time to build strong habits. You are not cramming for an exam yet, but you should be making sure you understand each topic as it is taught so that gaps do not accumulate.

What is the hardest part of IGCSE Chemistry?

Most students find stoichiometry (mole calculations) the hardest section. It usually comes partway through Year 10, and it is the first time chemistry feels mathematical. Getting this right early makes everything else easier.

Should I be doing past papers in Year 10?

Yes, but topic by topic rather than full papers. After you finish a topic in class, try the past paper questions on that topic. Save full timed papers for Year 11.

IGCSE Chemistry for Year 10 Students – Start Strong

Essential guidance for Year 10 students starting Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620. Build the right habits and foundations now for exam success in Year 11.

Published by IGCSEChemistry.com.my

Chemistry teaching team: K. S. Tan (15+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry) and Ms Yash (10+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry) and Ms Kartini (15+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry).

Mapped to Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 (2026–2028). Last updated 2026-08-19.

You are at the start of a two-year course, and that is an advantage. The students who do best in IGCSE Chemistry are not the ones who cram hardest in Year 11; they are the ones who build solid understanding in Year 10 and arrive at Year 11 ready to refine and practise rather than learn from scratch.

What you are studying

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 covers twelve topics. In Year 10, your school will typically cover the foundational topics: states of matter, atoms, elements and compounds, atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, the periodic table, and the beginnings of acids, bases and salts. Some schools move faster; others spread topics differently. The exact order does not matter as long as you are keeping up with each one.

The syllabus is cumulative. Every topic connects to others. If you do not understand atomic structure properly, chemical bonding will not make sense. If bonding does not make sense, you will struggle with acids and bases. This is why Year 10 matters: gaps here become problems later.

The stoichiometry wall

Most students hit a difficulty spike when they reach stoichiometry. This is the section where chemistry becomes mathematical. You need to calculate relative formula mass, convert between mass and moles, and work out reacting masses from balanced equations.

If this feels hard, that is normal. It is hard for almost everyone at first. The difference between students who master it and those who do not is practice. Work through the method step by step, do plenty of examples, and do not move on until you can set up a mole calculation without looking at your notes. If you are stuck, this is a good time to seek help, whether from your teacher, a tutor, or the worked examples on this site.

How to study in Year 10

Review after every class. Spend 15 minutes the same evening going over your notes and making sure you understand what was taught. If something does not make sense, write down the specific question and ask your teacher the next day.

Do topic questions. After finishing a topic in class, find past paper questions on that topic and attempt them. Check your answers against the mark scheme. This is the most effective way to test whether you actually understand the material.

Learn the language. Chemistry has specific vocabulary, and the exam tests whether you use it correctly. Start learning command words now. “Describe” and “explain” require different types of answer. “State” means give a short answer without explanation. Getting the language right is a skill, and it is easier to build this habit in Year 10 than to fix it under pressure in Year 11.

Keep a formula sheet. Create a single page with the key formulae you need: moles = mass / Mr, concentration = moles / volume, and so on. Add to it as you learn new calculations. This becomes your go-to revision tool.

What Extended and Core mean

Your school will likely enter you for the Extended tier, which covers the full syllabus and allows access to grades A* to G. Some schools enter students for the Core tier (grades C to G) if they are finding the content very challenging. If you are not sure which tier you are on, ask your teacher. The decision is usually made during Year 10 or early Year 11.

If you are currently on Core and want to move to Extended, the earlier you address the gaps, the better. Read more about Core vs Extended to understand the differences.

Using this site

This site is built specifically for IGCSE Chemistry 0620. Use the topics pages to review content alongside your class notes. Use the calculations pages for step-by-step methods and worked examples. Use the past papers section to find questions on specific topics.

If you want structured 1-to-1 support, find out about how online IGCSE Chemistry classes work or book a trial lesson.

Studying this yourself? Tutoring arrangements are normally made by a parent or guardian. Message us for the details to share with them, or send them this page.