At SSFH, our O-Level programs are designed to help students achieve top grades with confidence. We offer expert guidance in Mathematics, Science, English, Computer Studies, and Islamic Studies, ensuring strong academic foundations that lead to success in higher education. Cambridge-based curriculum Experienced and qualified teachers Regular assessments and progress tracking Individual attention and small class sizes

Exams

IGCSE Physics Pro Tips: How to Prep Like a Top Scorer

Let’s be honest—IGCSE Physics can feel like juggling equations, graphs, and invisible forces all at once. But the good news? With the right strategy, even the trickiest topics become manageable.

Whether you’re aiming for an A+ or just want to survive paper 4, these pro-level exam tips will help you study efficiently, solve problems with confidence, and walk into your exam like a physics pro.

1. Know the Syllabus Like a Roadmap

The Cambridge IGCSE Physics syllabus tells you exactly what could appear in the exam. Use it as a checklist and revision guide.

Go through every topic point-by-point
Mark off what you’ve mastered
Highlight what needs review

Pro Tip: Print the syllabus and cross out topics as you revise them. It keeps you focused and prevents wasting time on irrelevant content.

2. Master the Equations and Know When to Use Them

The formula sheet isn’t your savior you still need to know what each symbol means, how to rearrange formulas, and choose the right one for the question.

Must-know formulas include:

v=u+atv = u + atv=u+at
F=maF = maF=ma
P=IVP = IVP=IV
E=mcΔθE = mc\Delta \thetaE=mcΔθ
Q=ItQ = ItQ=It

Pro Tip: Make a flashcard for each formula with:

The full equation
Meaning of each variable
Sample units

A typical exam question using it

3. Learn to Read Graphs Like a Physicist

Physics is full of graphs—velocity-time, displacement-time, cooling curves, etc. You must know how to:

Identify the type of graph
Understand gradients and areas under curves
Interpret patterns and changes

Pro Tip: Practice drawing AND interpreting graphs. Always label axes with quantities and units—it’s an easy mark many students miss!

4. Don't Neglect Paper 5/6 (Practical or Alternative to Practical)

Even if you’re not in a lab, Paper 5 or 6 is worth a large portion of your grade.

Focus on:

How to set up and improve experiments
Identifying independent, dependent, and control variables
Drawing and analyzing graphs from experimental data
Stating how to improve accuracy

Pro Tip: Memorize common practical setups (e.g., measuring resistance, specific heat capacity, motion with a ticker timer) and their precautions and sources of error.

5. Focus on Concepts Before Calculation

IGCSE Physics questions are built on concepts—forces, energy transfer, momentum, waves. If you don’t understand the why, your calculation might still be wrong.

Pro Tip: For each topic, write one clear sentence that explains the main principle. Example:
➡ “In a series circuit, current is the same everywhere, but voltage is divided across components.”

6. Practice Past Papers — But Do It the Smart Way

Don’t just do past papers—analyze them.

Time yourself
Mark your work using the official mark scheme
Note which command words (e.g., explain, calculate, compare) you struggle with
Identify repeated question styles

Pro Tip: Keep a “Mistake Log” where you write down wrong answers, why you got them wrong, and the correct solution. It’s one of the most effective revision tools.

7. Use the Right Keywords in Written Answers

Physics has a language of its own. Examiners are looking for specific terms like:

Conservation of energy
Resultant force
Directly proportional
Refraction
Ohmic conductor

Pro Tip: Look at mark schemes and highlight the keywords that earned points. Build a vocabulary list to revise before the exam.

8. Manage Time During the Exam Like a Pro

A major mistake? Spending too long on one hard question.

Stick to the rule: 1 mark = ~1 minute
Move on if stuck—come back later
Double-check units and conversions
Underline what’s being asked (e.g., state, explain, calculate)

Pro Tip: Use the last 5 minutes to scan for silly mistakes—missing units, incomplete answers, or unconverted values.

9. Active Revision > Passive Reading

Instead of just reading your notes, try:

Teaching a topic out loud
Solving flashcard quizzes
Creating flowcharts for processes like energy transfer
Explaining answers to past paper questions in your own words

Pro Tip: If you can teach it clearly, you truly understand it.

10. Plan Your Final Week Strategically

Here’s a sample last-week strategy for IGCSE Physics:

Day 1: Forces + Motion + Equations
Day 2: Electricity + Magnetism
Day 3: Energy + Thermal Physics
Day 4: Waves + Light + Sound
Day 5: Practicals + Full Paper Practice
Day 6: Weak topic review + Mistake Log
Day 7: Rest, light review, early sleep

Pro Tip: Don’t try to do “everything.” Focus on consolidating and clarifying what you already know.

Final Thoughts: Think Like a Physicist

IGCSE Physics is challenging, yes but it’s also logical. Once you understand the rules of the physical world, the rest is just applying them.

Focus on:

Clear concepts
Precision in writing
Practicing problems with purpose

You’ve got this. Don’t just memorize understand the why behind the what. That’s how top scorers ace Physics.

You’re looking for the best tutor?
Come, let us help you!