Best Revision Resources for IGCSE Combined Science
IGCSE Combined Science covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics within one syllabus, requiring students to balance broad knowledge with a clear understanding. Success depends on being able to apply concepts, interpret data, and solve problems with confidence. With Cambridge and Edexcel as the primary exam boards, selecting reliable, board-aligned revision resources is crucial for effective preparation. This guide applies to both the single award (Combined Science) and the double award (Coordinated Sciences or Double Award) courses.
Understanding the IGCSE Combined Science Course
Having a clear understanding of the IGCSE Combined Science course helps you plan your revision effectively and concentrate on the essential skills for each part of the syllabus. For a more detailed overview of topics and exam formats, you can read The Ultimate IGCSE Combined Science Study Guide.
Exam Boards and Syllabus Overview
The IGCSE Combined Science course integrates Biology, Chemistry, and Physics into a comprehensive qualification that covers all three areas in one.
- For the Cambridge board, the double-award route is labelled “Co-ordinated Sciences (0654)”, and the single award route is “Combined Science (0653)”.
- For Edexcel, the double award is coded “4SD0”. Because each board uses different terminology and assessment styles, always check which specific syllabus your school uses.
Exam Structure and Paper Formats
Although specific papers vary by board, the general idea is:
- You will study topics from all three sciences rather than as separate full-courses.
- Exams tend to include a mix of question types: multiple-choice, structured short-answer, calculation questions, data-interpretation, and practical-based questions.
- Practical skills and experiments form an essential part of the syllabus whether through a dedicated practical paper (as with Cambridge) or embedded practical questions (as with Edexcel).
Assessment Objectives
While each board defines its own assessment objectives, in broad terms, you’ll be expected to:
- Recall and explain scientific knowledge (terms, concepts)
- Apply your knowledge to novel situations (interpret graphs, data tables)
- Analyse and evaluate scientific information (make judgments, draw conclusions)
- Demonstrate practical skills (planning experiments, interpreting results)
Once you understand the course structure, exam format, and assessment focus, you can prepare for IGCSE Combined Science with greater direction and confidence.
How to Choose the Best Revision Resources
Because IGCSE Combined Science integrates multiple disciplines, you need revision materials that present scientific ideas clearly and connect topics across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Before you start looking, here are the essential criteria:
- Choose materials written specifically for your exam board (Cambridge or Edexcel) to ensure all content matches your syllabus.
- Select resources with clear explanations, diagrams, graphs, and worked examples to make complex ideas easier to understand.
- Use materials that provide exam-style questions and mark schemes to practise real exam requirements and check your progress.
- Combine textbooks with interactive tools such as simulations, quizzes, and video tutorials to keep learning engaging and visual.
- Include resources that cover required practicals and describe common experimental setups, as practical skills contribute significantly to your grade.
When selecting your materials, look for practical examples such as a set of flashcards with key terms like “enzyme,” “rate of reaction,” or “force diagram,” a website that organises past paper questions by topic and exam board, and a video tutorial demonstrating a required physics experiment like investigating waves.
With those criteria in mind, you’re now ready to select and utilise top resources effectively.
Top Revision Resources for IGCSE Combined Science
Here’s a breakdown of the best types of revision resources you should have in your toolbox.
Textbooks and Revision Guides
Begin with a well-structured textbook or revision guide suited to your exam board, such as Cambridge or Edexcel. Cambridge offers endorsed resources for syllabuses 0653 and 0654, featuring clear explanations, worked examples, and practice questions.
Choose a guide that organises topics by Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, highlights Core and Extended content where relevant, and provides a solid foundation before you move on to interactive study tools.
Past Papers and Mark Schemes
Practising exam questions is one of the best ways to revise. Use past papers from your exam board to get used to question styles, timing, and mark schemes. Practise under timed conditions to build stamina, then review the mark schemes carefully to understand how marks are awarded and improve your exam technique.
Online Platforms and Interactive Tools
Interactive tools make revision engaging and help you understand concepts more clearly. Platforms such as OxNotes offer study and revision notes. Choose one that covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with content matched to your exam board.
Video Lessons and Animated Tutorials
Videos make complex topics easier to understand, especially for visual learners or when reading feels tiring. Choose tutorials that explain processes step by step, such as energy transfer or chemical reactions. Many online videos align with IGCSE topics and serve as effective supplements for review or quick self-quizzes before bedtime.
Printable Revision Notes and Flashcards
Printable revision sheets and flashcards make study sessions more efficient by allowing quick review of key terms, formulas, and concepts. Use concise one-page summaries for last-minute study, and colour-code topics in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to keep ideas clear and connected.
Exam Technique and Practice Resources
Knowing content is essential, but mastering exam technique matters as much.
- Look for resources that provide exam-style questions, including multi-step and data interpretation tasks, along with clear mark schemes.
- Use materials that offer guidance on writing scientific explanations, structuring answers, and using the terminology examiners expect.
- These tools are especially helpful for complex questions that combine different sciences or involve practical skills.
Using a balanced mix of textbooks, past papers, online tools, and visual aids ensures thorough preparation for every part of the IGCSE Combined Science exam.
How to Use Combined Science Revision Resources Effectively
Now that you have the right tools, here’s how to make them work for you.
- Create a revision schedule that rotates through Biology, Chemistry, and Physics every week. This ensures that you consistently cover all three subjects, rather than focusing on one and leaving the others behind.
- Alternate between reading theory, practising questions, and reviewing past papers. Reading alone isn’t enough. Active practice matters.
- Use colour-coded notes to separate topics and visualise links across the sciences (for example, how energy transfers in Physics relate to reactions in Chemistry).
- Focus on mastering core practicals and understanding how experiments demonstrate theory (rather than just memorising the steps).
- Regularly review mark schemes to learn how examiners award marks for scientific reasoning, precise terminology, diagrams, and calculations.
By doing all of these, you’ll progress from understanding content to applying it under exam conditions.
Tips for Effective IGCSE Combined Science Revision
Here are targeted tips to sharpen your revision strategy and make your work smarter.
Focus on Core Concepts First
Ensure you are confident in the foundational concepts in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, such as cells, atomic structure, motion, and energy. Without these, more advanced questions become much tougher. Once you’ve got the basics, you can build up to the extended content (especially if your school enters you for the “Extended” tier in Cambridge or aims for higher grades in Edexcel).
Practise Multi-Step Calculations
Many Physics and Chemistry questions require more than one step: you might calculate force, then relate it to acceleration, then apply a formula. Spend time practising these kinds of multi-part questions so you’re comfortable with layered reasoning and links between ideas.
Link Theory to Experiments
When you revise experiments or practical work, don’t just memorise the procedure. Ask yourself: “What is the experiment demonstrating?” and “What would happen if I changed a variable?” This helps you answer questions that require evaluation, change management, or data analysis and conclusion.
Use Visual Learning Techniques
Mind maps, flow charts, and diagrams help you connect ideas across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. For example, you could create a flow chart linking atmospheric chemistry to global warming or a diagram showing energy transfer in a heating system. These visual tools make complex ideas clearer and easier to remember.
Identify and Correct Misconceptions
Keep track of your mistakes from practice papers or quizzes, such as mixing up molecules and atoms in Chemistry, confusing speed with velocity in Physics, or misunderstanding ecosystem interactions in Biology. Reviewing and correcting these misconceptions strengthens your understanding and prevents repeating them.
Consistent practice, clear understanding of core ideas, and regular review of mistakes are the keys to mastering IGCSE Combined Science revision.
Start Your IGCSE Combined Science Revision with Confidence
By now, you understand what the IGCSE Combined Science course involves, how to choose the right materials, and how to use them effectively. Put your plan into action, rotate through Biology, Chemistry, and Physics regularly, and balance reading, practice, and review to strengthen your understanding.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What topics are covered in IGCSE Combined Science?
You’ll study key topics from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, including cell functions, reactions, energy, forces, and electricity, giving you a broad understanding of how the natural and physical world works.
What is the difference between Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE Combined Science?
- Cambridge: single award is 0653, double award/co-ordinated is 0654. It often has separate practical papers.
- Edexcel: the double award (4SD0) uses a single-tier system and includes practical skills within written papers rather than separate practical papers.
How many exams are there for IGCSE Combined Science?
It depends on the exam board. Cambridge offers multiple papers for Core or Extended tiers, plus a practical or alternative paper, while Edexcel typically has two two-hour papers covering all sciences.
Is IGCSE Combined Science the same as Double Award Science?
Yes. “Double Award” refers to the qualification that counts as two IGCSEs rather than one. For Cambridge, it is called “Co-ordinated Sciences (0654)”. For Edexcel, the double award covers the combined content of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
What are the best textbooks for IGCSE Combined Science revision?
Choose textbooks endorsed for your exam board that include worked examples, exam-style questions, and clearly separate sections for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while showing how these subjects connect. Check with your teacher to ensure you have the correct version for your syllabus.
Are there good online platforms for IGCSE Combined Science revision?
Yes. For example, OxNotes provides revision notes tailored to the board. Interactive tools, videos, and quizzes provide additional support for active learning.
How can I revise effectively for three sciences at once?
Use a schedule that allocates time each week to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Rotate topics, mix reading and practise, use flashcards and interactive tools. Ensure that you link across disciplines whenever possible and review past papers from your board.
How important are past papers for IGCSE Combined Science?
Past papers are essential for understanding exam style, practising under timed conditions, and learning how A* in IGCSE Combined Science are awarded. Regular practice builds confidence and improves overall performance.
How can I improve my understanding of practical and experimental questions?
Understand each required practical experiment, including what you do, measure, and conclude, and use resources that explain these clearly. When practising, identify variables, interpret results, and review mistakes to strengthen your grasp of experimental questions.
When should I start revising for IGCSE Combined Science?
Start early. Ideally, begin weekly revision well before mocks or final exams. Even 2-3 hours a week outside classroom time helps build foundations and prevents last-minute rush. As exams approach, increase to 5-8 hours per week, including full past paper practice.
By Sara Lloyd
Sara has been an education consultant for TutorsPlus for 15 years, and is an expert on international IB education. She is also a parent of two lively children.
