Should My Child Drop IGCSE Physics?

This guide helps parents think through the decision to drop IGCSE Physics. It is not a decision to take lightly, but it is also not a decision to avoid out of fear.

When dropping Physics might make sense

The career path does not need it

If your child has a clear interest in a field that does not require Physics (law, business, literature, art, social sciences), carrying a subject they dislike and struggle with may not be worth the stress and the time it takes from subjects they care about.

The workload is genuinely unsustainable

Some students take 9 or 10 IGCSE subjects. If Physics is the weakest subject and the overall workload is affecting mental health and performance in other subjects, dropping one subject to strengthen the rest is a valid strategy.

The gap is too large to close in the remaining time

If a student is more than two years behind in the mathematical foundations needed for Physics (fractions, algebra, graph interpretation), and the exam is less than 6 months away, the realistic chance of passing may be low. In this case, the time might be better spent on other subjects.

When dropping Physics is a mistake

The student is struggling but the problem is solvable

A student who understands some topics but struggles with others can catch up with targeted support. Difficulty is not the same as impossibility. If the underlying issue is poor teaching, missed lessons or a lack of practice (not a fundamental inability to do the subject), tuition or a study plan may fix it.

The student does not know what they want to study yet

If your child has not decided on a career path, keeping Physics open keeps the most doors open. Dropping it closes engineering, many science degrees and medicine at some universities.

The decision is driven by a single bad test

One bad mock result does not define a student’s ability. If the overall trajectory is improving, or if the bad result was due to a specific fixable problem (did not revise Topic 4, ran out of time), dropping is premature.

Questions to ask before deciding

1. Does my child’s target university or course require Physics?
2. Is the struggle with Physics solvable with better teaching, more practice or more time?
3. Is my child genuinely overwhelmed or just finding it difficult? (Difficulty is normal; overwhelm is a sign of a deeper problem.)
4. What subject would my child take instead, and is it a stronger fit?
5. Has my child had the chance to work with a tutor who can identify and address the specific gaps?

The conversation with your child

Involve your child in the decision. Ask them:

• What specifically about Physics do you find hardest?
• Do you think you could improve with more support?
• What would you do with the extra time if you dropped Physics?

Their answers will tell you whether the problem is the subject itself or the circumstances around it.

If you decide to keep Physics

Get support quickly. A tutor who specialises in IGCSE Physics can diagnose the specific gaps and build a plan to close them. The earlier the intervention, the more effective it is.