UniGeniusIGCSE Chemistry

IGCSE Chemistry

IGCSE Chemistry syllabus: Core and Extended

12 topics. Extended adds Supplement content and opens grades A* to G.

Weeks before your first chemistry paper
Hours a week for chemistry
Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding
Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles
Section 3: Electrochemistry and energy changes
Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts
Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Section 4

Reactions, acids and salts: 19.2 of your hours. It is 8 of the 40 questions on our practice papers, 20%.

Hours per section
SectionYour hoursShare of the papers
Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts19.220%
Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment19.220%
Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding16.818%
Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles14.415%
Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis14.415%
Section 3: Electrochemistry and energy changes1213%

Week by week

  1. Week 1Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts
  2. Week 2Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts
  3. Week 3Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts
  4. Week 4Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts
  5. Week 5Section 4: Reactions, acids and salts, Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
  6. Week 6Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
  7. Week 7Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
  8. Week 8Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
  9. Week 9Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment
  10. Week 10Section 5: The Periodic Table, metals and the environment, Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding
  11. Week 11Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding
  12. Week 12Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding
  13. Week 13Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding
  14. Week 14Section 1: Particles, atoms and bonding, Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles
  15. Week 15Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles
  16. Week 16Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles
  17. Week 17Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles
  18. Week 18Section 2: Formulae, equations and moles, Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
  19. Week 19Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
  20. Week 20Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
  21. Week 21Section 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
  22. Week 22Section 3: Electrochemistry and energy changes
  23. Week 23Section 3: Electrochemistry and energy changes
  24. Week 24Section 3: Electrochemistry and energy changes
  25. Week 25A timed multiple-choice practice paper and two theory questions, then review every lost mark
  26. Week 26A timed multiple-choice practice paper and two theory questions, then review every lost mark

Check your sections with the free test

Multiple choicePaper 1 (Core) or Paper 2 (Extended): 40 questions, 45 minutes, 30%
TheoryPaper 3 (Core) or Paper 4 (Extended): 80 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes, 50%
PracticalPaper 5 practical test or Paper 6 alternative to practical: 40 marks, 20%
GradesCore: C to G. Extended: A* to G

Core or Extended

Core candidates sit Papers 1 and 3 and can reach grade C. Extended candidates sit Papers 2 and 4, which add the Supplement content.

Everyone sits a practical paper

Paper 5 is done in the laboratory; Paper 6 tests the same skills on paper. Both are 20%.

Try 2 questions

Question 1
How does a potassium atom form a potassium ion, K⁺?
Question 2
Which pair of units can both be used to measure the concentration of a solution?

Next step

Take the free testTake the course tour

Questions people ask

Which years does this syllabus cover?

Exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Which grades can a Core candidate reach?

Grades C to G. Extended candidates can reach grades A* to G.