This page summarises the changes in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus for the 2026 to 2028 examination period.
What stays the same
The fundamental structure is unchanged:
- Six topic areas: Motion, Forces and Energy; Thermal Physics; Waves; Electricity and Magnetism; Nuclear Physics; Space Physics.
- Core and Extended tiers with the same paper combinations.
- The same exam papers: Paper 1 (MCQ Core), Paper 2 (MCQ Extended), Paper 3 (Theory Core), Paper 4 (Theory Extended), Paper 5 (Practical Test), Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical).
- Assessment weightings are unchanged.
Key changes in the 2026 to 2028 syllabus
Updated learning objectives
Several learning objectives have been reworded for clarity. The physics content is largely the same, but the language is more precise about what students are expected to know, understand, or be able to do.
Terminology updates
Some terms have been updated to reflect current scientific usage. For example, the syllabus is clearer about distinguishing between “mass” and “weight” in all contexts, and uses “thermal energy” consistently rather than mixing “heat” and “thermal energy.”
Mathematical requirements
The mathematical requirements section has been clarified. Students should be comfortable with:
- Rearranging equations
- Reading and plotting graphs (including determining gradients and y-intercepts)
- Using standard form and significant figures
- Converting units (including prefixes: kilo, mega, milli, micro)
Practical skills
The practical skills requirements remain similar, but the syllabus now provides more explicit guidance on what constitutes a valid experimental design, particularly around control variables and sources of error.
What this means for students
If you are starting in Year 10 (2026)
You are on the new syllabus from the start. Use resources labelled for 2026 to 2028. The content is very similar to the previous version, so older past papers are still excellent practice.
If you started on the 2023 to 2025 syllabus
The overlap is extensive. Check the syllabus document for any specific learning objectives that have been added or removed in your topic areas. The exam format and question style are the same.
How to access the syllabus
The full syllabus document is available free from the Cambridge Assessment International Education website. Search for “IGCSE Physics 0625 2026 syllabus” to find the PDF.
Past papers and the new syllabus
Past papers from 2019 onwards are highly relevant for practice. The question styles and difficulty levels are consistent. Papers from the 2023 to 2025 period are the closest match to the current syllabus.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2026 to 2028 syllabus changes take effect?
Are the changes major?
Do I need a new textbook?
Next useful steps
Need Help Applying This?
A 0625 specialist can work through the student's current paper or question and help identify whether the main difficulty is content, mathematics, practical reasoning or exam technique.