0620

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) - February-March 2022 Past Papers

Download 15 free IGCSE Chemistry past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the February-March 2022 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE Chemistry (0620)

IGCSE Chemistry covers atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, organic chemistry, electrochemistry, and chemical analysis. Candidates must balance equations, predict reaction products, and understand the properties of elements and compounds.

What this exam tests: Key skills include mole calculations, identifying functional groups, interpreting spectra, and planning experiments.

Papers available in variants 11, 12, 13 for different time zones. All variants cover the same Chemistry syllabus with equal difficulty.

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Chemistry

Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:

Revision Notes
49 topics
Flashcards
457 cards
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge

0620 February-March 2022 Papers

0620 Paper 1 - Multiple Choice (Core)

45 min • 40 marks

Tests broad syllabus knowledge with 40 questions. Each question has four options (A-D). Core tier paper.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

0620 Paper 2 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

45 min • 40 marks

Extended tier multiple choice with more challenging questions covering the full syllabus. 40 questions, 45 minutes.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

0620 Paper 3 - Theory (Core)

1 hr 15 min • 80 marks

Structured and free-response questions testing understanding and application. Core tier, grades available C-G.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (7 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 3 from February-March 2022 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Group I - Alkali metals (The Periodic Table) worth 23 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Gases and the gas laws (12 marks) and Electrolysis of specific substances (12 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Group I - Alkali metals 23/80
Gases and the gas laws 12/80
Electrolysis of specific substances 12/80
Reactivity series 9/80
Formulae, functional groups and nomenclature 9/80
Elements, compounds and mixtures 8/80
Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells 7/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Group I - Alkali metals to maximize your score.

0620 Paper 4 - Theory (Extended)

1 hr 15 min • 80 marks

Extended tier theory paper with more demanding questions. Full grade range A*-G available with this paper.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (5 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 4 from February-March 2022 tests 5 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Electrolysis (Electrochemistry) worth 23 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Formulae (17 marks) and Air and air quality (15 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Electrolysis 23/80
Formulae 17/80
Air and air quality 15/80
Gases and the gas laws 14/80
Particle theory 11/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Electrolysis to maximize your score.

0620 Paper 5 - Practical Test

1 hr 15 min • 40 marks

Tests practical skills including planning experiments, recording data, and drawing conclusions from results.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 5 from February-March 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Experimental design (Experimental techniques and chemical analysis) worth 18 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Solids, liquids and gases (16 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Experimental design 18/40
Solids, liquids and gases 16/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Experimental design to maximize your score.

0620 Paper 6 - Alternative to Practical

1 hr • 40 marks

Written paper testing practical skills through questions about experimental methods, data, and analysis.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (3 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 6 from February-March 2022 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Group I - Alkali metals (The Periodic Table) worth 18 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Reactivity series (8 marks) and Acids and bases (8 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Group I - Alkali metals 18/40
Reactivity series 8/40
Acids and bases 8/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Group I - Alkali metals to maximize your score.

Other Resources

Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.

Examiner Report

Insights from examiners on how students performed. Learn common mistakes to avoid and what examiners look for in top answers.

View

Confidential Instructions

Instructions for teachers on practical exams. Useful for understanding experiment setups and expected procedures.

P5

0620 February-March 2022 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in February-March 2022, showing how marks are distributed. Use this to focus your revision on topics relevant to your papers.

0620 Paper 3 (Theory (Core))

80 marks total
Group I - Alkali metals (The Periodic Table)
Notes 9 cards
23m
Gases and the gas laws (States of matter)
12m
Electrolysis of specific substances (Electrochemistry)
Notes 12 cards
12m
Reactivity series (Metals)
Notes 12 cards
9m
Formulae, functional groups and nomenclature (Organic chemistry)
Notes 12 cards
9m
Elements, compounds and mixtures (Atoms, elements and compounds)
Notes 11 cards
8m

+ 1 more topics

0620 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total
Electrolysis (Electrochemistry)
Notes 12 cards
23m
Formulae (Stoichiometry)
Notes 12 cards
17m
Air and air quality (Chemistry of the environment)
Notes 10 cards
15m
Gases and the gas laws (States of matter)
14m
Particle theory (States of matter)
Notes 10 cards
11m

0620 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total
Experimental design (Experimental techniques and chemical analysis)
Notes 12 cards
18m
Solids, liquids and gases (States of matter)
Notes 12 cards
16m

0620 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total
Group I - Alkali metals (The Periodic Table)
Notes 9 cards
18m
Reactivity series (Metals)
Notes 12 cards
8m
Acids and bases (Acids, bases and salts)
Notes 19 cards
8m

Study tip: If you're taking the Extended tier, focus on Papers 2, 4, and 6. For Core tier, prepare for Papers 1, 3, and 5/6. Review the topics above for your specific papers and practice past questions from those syllabus areas.

Examiner Insights - February-March 2022

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Master core definitions and concepts (e.g., endothermic/exothermic, alloys, acids/bases).
  • • Practice applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios and experimental design.
  • • Pay attention to detail in recording measurements, observations, and units.
  • • Develop strong practical skills by practicing common lab techniques and qualitative analysis.
  • • Always read the question carefully and understand the specific requirements before answering. Focus on answering what is actually asked for.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Candidates showed varying levels of understanding. Some questions were consistently answered well, while others proved to be demanding for many. Questions requiring knowledge of the reactivity series of metals or endothermic and exothermic processes were not well answered.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Focus on core definitions and concepts first.
  • ✓ Practice applying knowledge to different contexts.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Endothermic/Exothermic processes)
✗ Confusing a change of state requiring heat with a process that releases heat.
→ Clearly understand the definitions of endothermic (absorbs heat) and exothermic (releases heat) processes.
Q4 (Lab Apparatus)
✗ Not knowing which apparatus is used for precise measurements.
→ Recall the purpose and limitations of common lab equipment: beakers are not precise, pipettes measure one specific volume, burettes can measure variable volumes precisely.
Q7 (Allotropes of Carbon)
✗ Not recalling the general properties of diamond and graphite.
→ Memorize and understand the key properties (hardness, conductivity) of common allotropes like diamond and graphite.
Q9 (Ion Formation)
✗ Confusing electron gain and loss with the corresponding ions formed (anions vs. cations).
→ Remember that metals lose electrons to form positive ions (cations), and non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions (anions).
Paper 22 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

The paper differentiated well between candidates of varying abilities. Some candidates performed exceptionally well, while weaker candidates may have been better suited for the core paper. Certain topics like reaction rates, reactivity series, and organic structures proved particularly challenging.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
  • ✓ Pay close attention to the wording of questions to identify the specific concept being tested.

Common Mistakes:

Q2 (Particle Theory)
✗ Being unable to apply particle theory to identify the number of particles in a fixed volume.
→ Revise and understand the assumptions and applications of particle theory in solids, liquids, and gases.
Q8 (Chemical Formulae)
✗ Not recognizing incorrect chemical formulae.
→ Memorize the correct chemical formulae of common elements and compounds, paying attention to valency and bonding.
Q10 (Ionic Compounds)
✗ Suggesting that solid ionic compounds are conductors of electricity.
→ Remember that ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in solution, as ions need to be mobile.
Q15 (Endothermic/Exothermic processes)
✗ Failing to recall the difference between endothermic and exothermic processes.
→ Study examples of endothermic (e.g., dissolving ammonium nitrate) and exothermic (e.g., combustion) processes to solidify your understanding.
Paper 32 - Theory (Core)

Many candidates demonstrated a good grasp of core chemistry concepts. However, some struggled with using specific chemical terminology, analyzing questions effectively, and recalling chemical tests and procedures. Data interpretation and equation balancing were generally well done.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice precise use of chemical terms.
  • ✓ Review qualitative tests and practical procedures regularly.

Common Mistakes:

QGeneral (Chemical Nomenclature)
✗ Writing -ine instead of -ide for the suffix ending of binary salts.
→ Pay attention to chemical nomenclature rules. Binary salts end in -ide (e.g., chloride, oxide).
Q1(a)(ii) (Atomic Structure)
✗ Confusing electrons and electron shells.
→ Understand the difference between the number of electrons and the number of electron shells in an atom.
Q3(b)(i) (Alloys)
✗ Defining an alloy as a 'metal compound' or 'metal molecules' rather than a mixture.
→ Remember that an alloy is a mixture of metals or a mixture of a metal and another element.
Q4(b) (Crystallization)
✗ Not describing the proper steps to prepare dry crystals of a salt from its solution, often implying heating to dryness.
→ Describe the steps of evaporation to the point of crystallization, filtering the crystals, and gentle drying (e.g., with filter paper). Avoid heating to dryness.
Paper 42 - Theory (Extended)

The paper assessed understanding well, with strong performance from many. Key areas for improvement include drawing accurate organic structures, careful reading of questions (especially values given within questions), and clear handwriting when naming organic compounds.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice drawing organic structures accurately and legibly.
  • ✓ Carefully read and understand the specific details provided in each question before attempting to answer.

Common Mistakes:

Q6(e)(i) (Organic Structure)
✗ Incorrectly drawing organic structures with incorrect valencies (trivalent carbon, divalent hydrogen).
→ Always ensure that carbon has four bonds, hydrogen has one, and oxygen has two when drawing organic structures.
Q5(b)(i) (Naming Organic Compound)
✗ Stating 'hydrochloric acid' for the product of a substitution reaction.
→ Remember that the gaseous product in the absence of water is hydrogen chloride not hydrochloric acid.
Q5(b)(i) (Reading Questions)
✗ Missing the fact that the name was asked for
→ Ensure to always provide the correct type of value for the answer.
Q2(b) (Drawing Ions)
✗ Drawing the same symbol for all the electrons in the outer shell of chloride
→ Make sure to be able to distinguish symbols for the electrons

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0620 February-March 2022. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The February-March 2022 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0620 past papers from February-March 2022, including question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and examiner reports (ER). Use these resources to practice under timed conditions and understand how examiners award marks.

View all 0620 past papers → | All 2022 sessions →

Get Chemistry Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0620. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0620 Study Tips & FAQ

What are paper variants?

Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.

  • Variant 1 (e.g., 11, 21): Usually for Zone 1 (Americas)
  • Variant 2 (e.g., 12, 22): Usually for Zone 2 (Europe, Africa)
  • Variant 3 (e.g., 13, 23): Usually for Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania)

All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.

How to use Mark Schemes effectively

Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.

Example from a Physics mark scheme:

Q: Calculate the speed of a car that travels 150m in 5 seconds. [2]

Mark scheme answer:

• speed = distance / time [1 mark for formula]

• speed = 150 / 5 = 30 m/s [1 mark for correct answer with unit]

Tips:

  • Look for key words that must appear in your answer
  • Note how many points are needed for each mark
  • Check if units are required for the final mark
  • Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)
Understanding Grade Thresholds

Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.

Example Grade Thresholds (out of 100 total):

A*
90+
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69

* Actual thresholds vary by subject and session

How to use thresholds:

  • Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
  • Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
  • Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
  • Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends
How is the topic breakdown calculated?

The "Topics Breakdown by Paper" section above shows which syllabus topics are tested in each paper and how many marks they carry. Here's how we calculate this:

Our methodology:

  1. Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
  2. Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0620 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
  3. Sum marks per topic: For each paper, we add up the marks for all questions testing the same topic. For example, if Q1 (4 marks) and Q5b (3 marks) both test "Enzymes", that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.

Example: If Paper 3 shows "Photosynthesis - 13 marks", it means questions worth a total of 13 marks (out of the paper's 80 marks) tested the Photosynthesis topic from the Plant Nutrition unit of the syllabus.

How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4, 6 for Extended tier). The topics with the highest marks in YOUR papers are where you should focus your revision. A topic worth 15 marks deserves more study time than one worth 3 marks.

Note: Our topic matching may be inaccurate for questions that span multiple topics. Use this as a guide alongside the official syllabus.

How to Use IGCSE Chemistry Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0620 Paper 4 is 1 hr 15 min - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.

✅ Self-Marking

Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in Chemistry responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0620 examiner report to see common mistakes. Focus revision on topics where candidates typically lose marks.

🎯 Grade Targets

Check grade thresholds to see how many marks you need for your target grade. An A* in IGCSE Chemistry typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Chemistry February-March 2022 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Chemistry (0620) February-March 2022 past papers directly from this page. We provide 15 files including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for all variants (11, 12, 13). Click "View" to open in browser or "Download" to save the PDF.
Are 0620 mark schemes included?
Yes, mark schemes for all 0620 February-March 2022 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.
What papers are available for IGCSE Chemistry 0620?
IGCSE Chemistry (0620) has 6 papers: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice (Core)), Paper 2 (Multiple Choice (Extended)), Paper 3 (Theory (Core)), Paper 4 (Theory (Extended)), Paper 5 (Practical Test), Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Core tier students take Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4, 5/6.
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions of the same paper used in different time zones to prevent cheating. All variants test the same syllabus content at the same difficulty level. You can practice with any variant as they are equally valid for revision.
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Use our free Exam Hub to practice past papers like real exams. It lets you view question papers and mark schemes side-by-side, so you can self-mark your answers. No sign-up required, works with any PDF, and your files stay completely private.

Continue Studying Chemistry

Prepare for these topics before attempting the past papers:

Revision Notes
49 topics covered
Flashcards
457 cards to master
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge

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