Cambridge IGCSE Physics Syllabus Guide (0625), 2026–2028
What changed from the 2023–2025 syllabus, how the papers work, all 324 learning objectives by topic, and every equation you need
The Cambridge IGCSE Physics syllabus contains 324 learning objectives across 6 main topics. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know for Core and Extended tiers.
You've been studying IGCSE Physics for two years now, so you might think you don't need to look at the syllabus - you're already familiar with the content, right?
But understanding the syllabus structure helps you study smarter. It shows you exactly what's expected at each level, what's Core vs Extended-only, and ensures no surprises on exam day. Many students discover gaps they didn't know they had.
Another big benefit: knowing which topics carry the most weight in exams. Not all topics are equal - some have far more learning objectives than others, and understanding this helps you prioritize your revision time.
What Changed for 2026–2028?
Almost nothing. The 2026–2028 syllabus covers exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028, and Cambridge states that there are no significant changes that affect teaching. Its December 2025 update (version 2) only changed a web link.
We compared the subject content of the 2023–2025 and 2026–2028 syllabuses line by line. These are the only differences in content; the rest are small spelling, punctuation and heading edits:
| Topic | 2023–2025 | 2026–2028 | Does it matter? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum (communication) | Bluetooth uses low-energy radio waves or microwaves | Bluetooth uses radio waves | Yes, slightly (Extended). Give radio waves as the answer for Bluetooth |
| 4.3.1 Circuit diagrams and components | Components list without bells | Bells added to the list of components you should know | Yes, slightly (everyone). Learn the symbol for a bell |
| 6.2.1 The Sun as a star | "infrared, visible and ultraviolet" | "infrared, visible light and ultraviolet" | No, wording only |
| 3.2.2 Refraction of light | "two media" | "two mediums" | No, wording only |
What this means for you
Notes, flashcards and past papers written for the 2023–2025 syllabus are still valid for 2026–2028. Past papers from 2023 onwards follow the same structure as your exam, so they are the best practice you can do. The number of learning objectives is unchanged at 324.
How the Exam Works (2026–2028)
Every candidate takes three papers: one multiple-choice paper, one theory paper and one practical paper. Which multiple-choice and theory papers you take depends on your tier.
| Paper | Who takes it | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core) | Core | 45 minutes | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended) | Extended | 45 minutes | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 3: Theory (Core) | Core | 1 hour 15 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 4: Theory (Extended) | Extended | 1 hour 15 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 5: Practical Test | Either tier (your school chooses 5 or 6) | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 20% |
| Paper 6: Alternative to Practical | Either tier (your school chooses 5 or 6) | 1 hour | 40 | 20% |
Calculators may be used in all papers. Exams run in the May/June and October/November series, plus a February/March series in India only. See the exam timetables for this year’s dates.
First: Know Your Tier - Core vs Extended
Before diving into the syllabus, you must understand the tier system. Cambridge IGCSE Physics offers two levels of difficulty, and you need to know which one you're taking.
Core Tier
Papers 1 and 3, plus Paper 5 or 6
- 197 learning objectives
- Grades available: C to G
- Foundational concepts
- Qualitative understanding
- Basic calculations
- Descriptive answers
Extended Tier
Papers 2 and 4, plus Paper 5 or 6
- 324 learning objectives (all 197 Core + 127 Supplement)
- Grades available: A* to G
- Advanced concepts
- Quantitative analysis
- Complex calculations
- Deeper explanations
Important
Your school or exam centre decides which tier you take. If you're aiming for grades A* to B, you must take Extended. Core tier caps at grade C.
Check with your teacher if you're unsure which tier you're registered for.
Extended-Only Topics
Some topics are entirely Extended-only - Core students don't need to learn these:
- 1.6 Momentum - All 4 objectives are Extended only
- 4.5.2 The a.c. generator - Extended only
- 6.2.2 Stars (life cycle) - Mostly Extended
Reference: Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Official Page
The 6 Topics: Syllabus Overview
IGCSE Physics is organized into 6 main topics that take you from everyday mechanics to the edge of the universe. You'll start with motion and forces - how things move and why. Then explore thermal physics - heat and particles. Waves covers light, sound, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Electricity and magnetism is the largest unit, covering circuits to generators. Nuclear physics deals with atoms and radioactivity. Finally, space physics takes you to stars and galaxies.
Each topic contains specific learning objectives - statements that tell you exactly what you need to be able to do. For example:
This objective tells you: know Ohm's law, remember the formula, and be able to use it in calculations. The syllabus has 324 of these objectives in total.
Here's how the learning objectives break down across the 6 topics, split by Core and Extended:
| Unit | Topic | Core | Extended | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Electricity and Magnetism | 58 | 30 | 88 | 27% |
| 1 | Motion, Forces and Energy | 45 | 29 | 74 | 23% |
| 3 | Waves | 37 | 19 | 56 | 17% |
| 2 | Thermal Physics | 24 | 21 | 45 | 14% |
| 5 | Nuclear Physics | 18 | 13 | 31 | 10% |
| 6 | Space Physics | 15 | 15 | 30 | 9% |
| TOTAL | 197 | 127 | 324 | 100% | |
Key Insight: Focus on the Big Three
The top 3 units account for 67% of all learning objectives:
- Electricity & Magnetism (27%) + Motion, Forces & Energy (23%) = exactly half the syllabus
- Add Waves (17%) and you've covered two-thirds of everything
Master these three units first, and you'll have a solid foundation for the exam. Start practicing with our IGCSE Physics topic quizzes.
Learning Objectives by Unit (Visual)
Bar length shows total objectives. Color split shows Core vs Extended.
Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
Now let's look at each unit in detail. For the two largest units (Motion/Forces and Electricity), we show the main sections and their objective counts. For the smaller units, we highlight the key topics you need to cover.
Unit 1: Motion, Forces and Energy
74 objectives (45 Core + 29 Extended)
| Section | Topic | Core | Ext |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Motion | 8 | 5 |
| 1.5.1 | Effects of forces | 8 | 4 |
| 1.7.3 | Energy resources | 3 | 4 |
| 1.1 | Measurements & quantities | 3 | 4 |
| 1.5.2 | Turning effect (moments) | 4 | 2 |
| 1.7.1 | Energy | 3 | 3 |
| 1.3 | Mass and weight | 4 | 1 |
| 1.6 | Momentum | 0 | 4 |
Key learning objectives include:
- Sketch, plot and interpret distance-time and speed-time graphs
- Recall and use F = ma (Extended)
- Apply the principle of moments
- Know the principle of conservation of energy
Unit 4: Electricity and Magnetism
88 objectives (58 Core + 30 Extended) - Largest unit
| Section | Topic | Core | Ext |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3.2 | Series and parallel circuits | 7 | 3 |
| 4.1 | Magnetism | 9 | 2 |
| 4.2.1 | Electric charge | 6 | 4 |
| 4.5.6 | The transformer | 5 | 3 |
| 4.2.3 | EMF and potential difference | 5 | 2 |
| 4.2.2 | Electric current | 4 | 2 |
| 4.4 | Electrical safety | 5 | 0 |
| 4.5.1 | Electromagnetic induction | 3 | 2 |
Key learning objectives include:
- Recall and use V = IR
- Calculate combined resistance in series and parallel
- Draw and interpret circuit diagrams
- Explain the use of fuses and earthing
- Recall and use the transformer equation (Vp/Vs = Np/Ns)
Unit 2: Thermal Physics
45 objectives (24 Core + 21 Extended)
- Particle model of matter
- States and state changes
- Specific heat capacity (Extended)
- Conduction, convection, radiation
Unit 3: Waves
56 objectives (37 Core + 19 Extended)
- Wave properties (v = fλ)
- Reflection and refraction
- Lenses and ray diagrams
- EM spectrum uses and dangers
- Sound properties
Unit 5: Nuclear Physics
31 objectives (18 Core + 13 Extended)
- Atomic structure
- Alpha, beta, gamma radiation
- Half-life calculations
- Safety precautions
Unit 6: Space Physics
30 objectives (15 Core + 15 Extended)
- Earth, Moon, Solar System
- Star life cycles (Extended)
- Redshift and Big Bang
- 50% Extended-only content
Understanding Command Words
The syllabus uses specific command words that tell you exactly what's expected:
| Command Word | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| State / Know | Recall a fact directly | State that weight is a gravitational force |
| Define | Give the precise meaning | Define density as mass per unit volume |
| Describe | State the points of a topic, or give its main features | Describe an experiment to measure specific heat capacity |
| Explain | Give reasons for something | Explain why metals are good conductors |
| Calculate | Work out numerically | Calculate the resistance in a parallel circuit |
| Recall and use | Know the equation and apply it | Recall and use v = fλ |
| Sketch | Make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features, with sensible proportions | Sketch a speed–time graph |
Study Tip
When revising, practice the exact skill the command word asks for. If it says "Describe an experiment," actually write out the full method. If it says "Calculate," do practice problems. Use IGCSE Physics past papers to see how these command words appear in real exams.
Key Equations You Must Understand
The syllabus marks each equation you must learn with “recall and use”, so you need to know them from memory and be able to rearrange them. Core students need the Core list; Extended students need both lists. Where the syllabus gives a value for g, it is approximately 9.8 m/s².
If you understand what each equation means, it is much easier to remember. Once you grasp why v = s/t makes sense (speed is how far you go per unit of time), you won’t forget it, and you’ll get the units right too. Use our IGCSE Physics flashcards to practise them.
Core and Extended (everyone)
- v = s/t (speed)
- average speed = total distance / total time
- g = W/m (so W = mg)
- ρ = m/V (density)
- moment = F × perpendicular distance from pivot
- W = Fd = ΔE (work done)
- P = W/t and P = ΔE/t (power)
- p = F/A (pressure)
- T (K) = θ (°C) + 273 (temperature)
- v = fλ (wave speed)
- angle of incidence = angle of reflection (plane mirror)
- R = V/I (resistance)
- P = IV and E = IVt (electrical power, energy)
- Vp/Vs = Np/Ns (transformer)
Extended only (Supplement)
- a = Δv/Δt (acceleration)
- F = kx (spring constant)
- F = ma
- p = mv (momentum)
- impulse = FΔt = Δ(mv)
- F = Δp/Δt
- Ek = ½mv² (kinetic energy)
- ΔEp = mgΔh (gravitational PE)
- efficiency = useful output / total input (× 100%) (energy or power)
- Δp = ρgΔh (pressure in a liquid)
- pV = constant (fixed mass of gas, constant temperature)
- c = ΔE/(mΔθ) (specific heat capacity)
- n = sin i / sin r (refractive index)
- n = 1/sin c (critical angle)
- I = Q/t (current)
- R ∝ length, R ∝ 1/cross-sectional area (metal wire)
- E = W/Q and V = W/Q (e.m.f. and p.d.)
- R1/R2 = V1/V2 (potential divider)
- IpVp = IsVs and P = I²R (transformer, cable losses)
- v = 2πr/T (orbital speed)
- H0 = v/d (Hubble constant)
Recommended Study Approach
Get the Official Syllabus
Download from Cambridge. Tick off objectives as you cover them.
Study Unit by Unit
Don't jump around. Complete each unit before moving on.
Know Your Tier
Core students can skip Extended-only content initially. Extended students must learn everything.
Practice the Command Words
If the syllabus says "describe an experiment," practice writing out the full method.
Understand Equations
Don't memorize - understand what each equation means and when to use it. Once you truly understand, you'll know them naturally.
Identify and Fix Weak Areas
Use practice questions to find topics you struggle with. Mastering a smaller weak area (like half-life or moments) is a sure way to pick up marks - once you understand it, those questions become easy points. Try our IGCSE Physics practice questions to identify your weak spots.
Key Takeaways
- 2026–2028 is almost the same as 2023–2025 — two small content changes (Bluetooth uses radio waves; bells added to circuit components)
- 324 total objectives — 197 Core, 127 Extended-only
- Focus on the Big Three — Electricity (27%), Motion/Forces (23%), and Waves (17%) cover 67% of the syllabus
- Know your tier — Core caps at grade C; Extended is needed for A* to B
- Learn the “recall and use” equations — 14 for everyone, 21 more for Extended
- Command words matter — "State" vs "Explain" require different responses
- Some topics are Extended-only — Momentum (1.6) entirely, Space Physics 50%
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026–2028 IGCSE Physics syllabus different from 2023–2025?
Only very slightly. Cambridge says there are no significant changes that affect teaching. Comparing the two line by line, the only content changes are that Bluetooth is now described as using radio waves (not radio waves or microwaves) and that bells were added to the list of circuit components. The topics, papers, tiers and the 324 learning objectives are otherwise the same.
Can I still use past papers and notes from 2023–2025?
Yes. Because the content barely changed, past papers from 2023 onwards match your exam closely and are the best practice you can do. Older papers (before 2023) were written for an earlier syllabus, so some of their questions cover content that has since changed; use them with more care. Browse IGCSE Physics past papers.
Do exam questions follow the syllabus topic distribution?
Roughly. Topics with more learning objectives tend to get more questions, and Electricity & Magnetism (27% of objectives) and Motion, Forces & Energy (23%) are the two biggest units. But the mix changes from paper to paper: one paper might have more waves questions, another more electricity. The safest approach is to cover every topic and give the larger units more of your time.
Should I study topics in syllabus order (1, 2, 3...)?
Not necessarily. Many schools teach in a different order, and that's fine. What matters is that you cover everything before the exam. However, some topics build on others - for example, understanding forces (Unit 1) helps with electricity (Unit 4). Follow your teacher's sequence, but use the syllabus to check you haven't missed anything.
Can I switch between Core and Extended?
This depends on your school's policy and exam registration deadlines. Talk to your teacher early if you're considering a switch. Core students can move to Extended if they're performing well, but need time to learn the additional content. Extended students rarely switch to Core since it limits their maximum grade to C.
How do I know if I've covered everything?
Print the official syllabus and tick off each learning objective as you study it. This is the most reliable method. If you can confidently do what each objective asks (state, describe, calculate, etc.), you're prepared. Cambridge IGCSE Physics past papers will also reveal any gaps in your knowledge.
Related Syllabus Guides
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IGCSE Biology (0610)
21 syllabus topics, from living organisms to biotechnology. Diagrams and explanations matter.
Official Resources
- Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Syllabus
- Full Syllabus PDF (2026-2028), for exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028
- Previous syllabus PDF (2023-2025), for reference
This guide is based on the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 (version 2, December 2025), compared with the 2023–2025 syllabus. Updated October 2026. Always refer to the official Cambridge syllabus for the definitive version.