UniGeniusIGCSE Physics

IGCSE Physics

IGCSE Physics syllabus: Core and Extended

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

Weeks before your first physics paper
Hours a week for physics
Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
Section 2: Thermal physics
Section 3: Waves
Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
Section 5: Nuclear physics
Section 6: Space physics

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Section 1

Motion, forces and energy: 26.4 of your hours. It is 11 of the 40 questions on our practice papers, 28%.

Hours per section
SectionYour hoursShare of the papers
Section 1: Motion, forces and energy26.428%
Section 4: Electricity and magnetism2425%
Section 3: Waves16.818%
Section 2: Thermal physics14.415%
Section 5: Nuclear physics9.610%
Section 6: Space physics4.85%

Week by week

  1. Week 1Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  2. Week 2Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  3. Week 3Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  4. Week 4Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  5. Week 5Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  6. Week 6Section 1: Motion, forces and energy
  7. Week 7Section 1: Motion, forces and energy, Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  8. Week 8Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  9. Week 9Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  10. Week 10Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  11. Week 11Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  12. Week 12Section 4: Electricity and magnetism
  13. Week 13Section 4: Electricity and magnetism, Section 3: Waves
  14. Week 14Section 3: Waves
  15. Week 15Section 3: Waves
  16. Week 16Section 3: Waves
  17. Week 17Section 3: Waves, Section 2: Thermal physics
  18. Week 18Section 2: Thermal physics
  19. Week 19Section 2: Thermal physics
  20. Week 20Section 2: Thermal physics
  21. Week 21Section 2: Thermal physics, Section 5: Nuclear physics
  22. Week 22Section 5: Nuclear physics
  23. Week 23Section 5: Nuclear physics, Section 6: Space physics
  24. Week 24Section 6: Space physics
  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%.

Equations to learn

Each topic lists the equations to recall and use, from average speed and density to resistance and the turns on a transformer. Extended adds more, such as kinetic energy, momentum and specific heat capacity.

Try 2 questions

Question 1
The distance-time graph shows a girl's walk to a bus stop. What is her speed during the last part of the walk, from 25 s to 35 s?
Question 2
The potential difference across a resistor is 6.0 V and the current in it is 400 mA. What is its resistance?

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.