How to Use Past Papers Effectively for IGCSE Physics

Past papers are the single most effective revision tool for IGCSE Physics. They show you exactly what the examiner asks and how they expect you to answer.

Where to find past papers

Cambridge publishes past papers on their website. Your school may also provide them. You need three documents for each paper:

1. The question paper.
2. The mark scheme.
3. The examiner report (when available).

Phase 1: topic-by-topic practice (weeks 6 to 3 before the exam)

Do not start with full papers. Instead:

1. Choose a topic you have just revised (e.g., electricity).
2. Go through 3 to 5 past papers and answer only the questions on that topic.
3. Mark your answers using the mark scheme.
4. For each mark you lost, understand why and note the correct answer.

This approach targets your weakest areas and builds topic-specific confidence.

Phase 2: timed full papers (weeks 3 to 1 before the exam)

Once you have covered all topics:

1. Sit a full paper under timed exam conditions.
2. No notes, no textbook, no phone.
3. When time is up, stop writing.
4. Mark the paper honestly using the mark scheme.
5. Record your score and the topics where you lost marks.

Do at least 3 full papers for Paper 4 and 2 for Paper 6.

How to use the mark scheme

The mark scheme shows exactly what earns marks. Pay attention to:

• Specific words: if the mark scheme says “thermal energy” and you wrote “heat,” you may not get the mark in a definition question.
• Method marks vs answer marks: in calculations, method marks are awarded for using the correct equation and substituting correctly, even if the final answer is wrong.
• Quality of written communication: for 6-mark questions, the mark scheme describes what a Level 3 (5 to 6 marks) answer looks like.

How to use the examiner report

The examiner report tells you what mistakes real students made. Common themes:

• Confusing terms (e.g., force vs pressure, speed vs velocity).
• Forgetting units in calculations.
• Not answering the question that was asked (describing instead of explaining, or vice versa).

Tracking your progress

Keep a simple spreadsheet or table:

Paper	Score	Topics where marks lost
Nov 2023 P4	62/80	Moments, electromagnetic induction
June 2023 P4	58/80	Graphs, nuclear equations

This shows you exactly which topics need more work.

Common mistake: passive reading

Reading through a past paper and its answers is not revision. You must attempt the question before looking at the mark scheme. The effort of recalling information and working through problems is what builds memory and exam technique.