Which IGCSE Chemistry Papers Am I Taking? (0620)

If you are not sure which Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 papers you sit, this page sorts it out and points you to the right guide for each one. For the authoritative timings, marks and weightings, use the 0620 exam format page; this page is the navigator on top of it.

Cambridge is an independent organisation; this site is not endorsed by or affiliated with Cambridge. Always confirm your exact entry with your school or examination centre. The official qualification page is at Cambridge International.

The one thing that decides everything: your route

Every 0620 candidate is entered on one of two routes, and the route fixes which papers you sit and which grades you can reach.

	Core route	Extended route
Multiple-choice paper	Paper 1	Paper 2
Theory paper	Paper 3	Paper 4
Practical component	Paper 5 or Paper 6	Paper 5 or Paper 6
Content	Core only	Core + Supplement
Grades available	C to G	A* to G

You sit three papers: one multiple-choice, one theory, and one practical. The practical component is shared by both routes.

How to tell which route you are on

You do not have to guess. In order of reliability:

1. Ask your school’s exams officer for your entered paper numbers. This is definitive.
2. Check your statement of entry. For private candidates especially, this document lists the syllabus code (0620) and the exact components you are entered for.
3. Look at the papers your teacher sets. If your class practises Paper 1 and Paper 3, you are being prepared for Core; Paper 2 and Paper 4 mean Extended. Treat this as a strong hint, not proof — confirm with the officer.

The paper numbers are the tell:

• Papers 1 and 3 → Core route. Your ceiling is grade C.
• Papers 2 and 4 → Extended route. Grades A* to G are available.

You cannot be entered for a mix such as Paper 1 with Paper 4. The multiple-choice and theory papers always match the route.

Paper 5 versus Paper 6

Both routes finish with one practical component, worth 20%:

• Paper 5 is a laboratory practical test — you carry out experiments, record measurements and draw conclusions with real apparatus.
• Paper 6 is the Alternative to Practical — a written paper about practical work: reading apparatus, completing tables, plotting graphs, spotting anomalies, planning and evaluating.

Your centre chooses which one you sit, largely on whether it runs a Cambridge-compliant lab session for your cohort. Private candidates are usually entered for Paper 6. Both carry the same weighting and reach the same grades, so neither is an advantage or a penalty.

Which guide should I read?

Once you know your route, go straight to the relevant guides.

If you are on the Core route (Papers 1 and 3)

• Paper 1 multiple-choice (Core) guide
• Paper 3 theory (Core) guide
• Time management for Papers 1 and 3

If you are on the Extended route (Papers 2 and 4)

• Paper 2 multiple-choice guide
• Paper 4 theory guide
• Time management for Paper 2 and for Paper 4

Whichever route you are on (practical component)

• Paper 5 practical test guide
• Paper 6 Alternative to Practical guide

Still choosing a route?

Read Core vs Extended for the full decision, including the common misconception that Extended stops at grade E and why a grade above C requires Extended.

Can I change route?

Sometimes, but the school or centre controls entries and there is a firm amendment deadline for each series. If you think you are on the wrong route, gather evidence (a couple of marked timed papers) and speak to the exams officer well before the deadline. The route decision itself is worked through in Core vs Extended.

Next steps

Confirm your entered papers with your centre, open the matching guides above, and use the free diagnostic to see which topics need the most work before the exam. For targeted practice by topic, use the topical questions and practice hub.