This page explains how grades are awarded in Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625.
The A*-to-G grading system
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 uses letter grades:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A* | Exceptional performance |
| A | High performance |
| B | Good performance |
| C | Satisfactory performance |
| D | Below average |
| E | Low performance |
| F | Very low performance |
| G | Minimum standard achieved |
| U | Ungraded (below minimum standard) |
Core vs Extended grading
The grade range depends on which papers the student sits:
Core (Papers 1, 3, 5 or 6): Maximum achievable grade is C. Grades available: C, D, E, F, G.
Extended (Papers 1, 4, 5 or 6): Maximum achievable grade is A*. Grades available: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
This means a student who sits the Core papers cannot achieve higher than a C, even with a perfect score. Students aiming for A* to B must sit the Extended papers.
How raw marks become grades
- Each paper is marked out of its total (Paper 1: 40, Paper 4: 80, Paper 6: 40).
- Raw marks from all papers are combined (with any weighting applied).
- Cambridge sets grade boundaries for each session based on the difficulty of the papers and the performance of candidates worldwide.
- Your total mark is compared to the grade boundaries to determine your grade.
Grade boundaries
Grade boundaries are published after each exam session on the Cambridge website. They vary from session to session because:
- Different papers have different levels of difficulty.
- Cambridge aims for consistent standards across sessions (a B in June 2026 should represent the same standard as a B in November 2025).
Approximate grade boundaries (for reference only)
These are rough guides. Actual boundaries vary.
| Grade | Approximate % of total marks |
|---|---|
| A* | 85 to 90% |
| A | 75 to 80% |
| B | 60 to 65% |
| C | 50 to 55% |
| D | 40 to 45% |
Paper weightings
| Paper | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (MCQ) | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 4 (Theory Extended) | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 6 (Alt to Practical) | 40 | 20% |
Paper 4 carries the most weight. Strong performance on Paper 4 has the biggest impact on the final grade.
What universities look for
Most university courses that require Physics specify a minimum grade:
- Engineering at top universities: typically A or A*.
- Medicine: typically A or A* (where Physics is required).
- Sciences: typically B or above.
- General entry: C is usually the minimum accepted grade.
Check specific university requirements, as they vary by institution and course.
Improving your grade
The most efficient way to improve your grade is to focus on the paper with the highest weighting (Paper 4) and the topics where you currently lose the most marks. A targeted approach is more effective than re-studying everything equally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IGCSE Physics use 9-to-1 or A*-to-G?
What is the difference between Core and Extended grades?
What percentage do I need for an A*?
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.