Year 10 is the start of the 2-year IGCSE Physics course. What you do in Year 10 determines how comfortable or how stressed Year 11 feels. Here is what to expect.
The syllabus structure
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 covers 6 topic areas:
- Motion, Forces and Energy (the largest section)
- Thermal Physics
- Waves
- Electricity and Magnetism (the second largest)
- Nuclear Physics
- Space Physics (Supplementary/Extended only)
Most schools teach topics 1 and 2 in Year 10, then topics 3 to 6 in Year 11. Some schools spread the topics differently. Check your school’s scheme of work.
Year 10 priorities
Build calculation skills early
Physics uses mathematics throughout. In Year 10, practice:
- Rearranging equations (if v = d / t, find d and t).
- Converting units (km to m, hours to seconds, g to kg).
- Using standard form for very large or very small numbers.
If these skills are strong by the end of Year 10, the calculation questions in Year 11 topics will be straightforward.
Learn to draw diagrams
Physics diagrams (circuit diagrams, ray diagrams, force diagrams) follow strict conventions. Learn the standard symbols and practice drawing them neatly with a ruler. Sloppy diagrams lose marks.
Start a revision system
Do not wait until Year 11 to start revising. After each topic is completed in class, spend 30 minutes summarising it. This keeps the material fresh and reduces the revision burden later.
Assessment in Year 10
Most schools run internal assessments (class tests, end-of-term exams) in Year 10. These do not count toward the final IGCSE grade but they indicate how well you are tracking.
If your Year 10 scores are below 50%, it is a signal that foundations need strengthening before Year 11 content is added on top.
Common Year 10 mistakes
- Ignoring topics that seem easy (they get tested alongside harder material in Year 11).
- Not practising past paper questions until Year 11 (start using them from the first term).
- Relying on class notes without independent practice.
Resources
Use the free topic library on this site alongside your school textbook. Each concept page explains the syllabus content and links to related concepts. The equations reference page lists every equation you will need.
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.