Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) - May-June 2022 Past Papers
Download 41 free IGCSE Chemistry past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the May-June 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.
Study Resources for Chemistry
Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:
0620 May-June 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.
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.
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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (7 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0620 Paper 3 from May-June 2022 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Acids and bases (Acids, bases and salts) worth 16 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Solids, liquids and gases (13 marks) and Transition elements (13 marks).
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Acids and bases 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (7 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0620 Paper 4 from May-June 2022 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Formulae (Stoichiometry) worth 19 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Calculations (12 marks) and Transition elements (11 marks).
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Formulae 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)
This 0620 Paper 5 from May-June 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Gases and the gas laws (States of matter) worth 20 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Solids, liquids and gases (14 marks)
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Gases and the gas laws 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (3 topics, 40 marks total)
This 0620 Paper 6 from May-June 2022 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Gases and the gas laws (States of matter) worth 20 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Reactions of acids (8 marks) and Solids, liquids and gases (6 marks).
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Gases and the gas laws to maximize your score.
Other Resources
Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.
0620 May-June 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 May-June 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+ 1 more topics
0620 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))
80 marks total+ 1 more topics
0620 Paper 5 (Practical Test)
40 marks totalStudy 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 - May-June 2022
Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed
Key Takeaways
- • Carefully read and analyze the question before answering, paying attention to key words like 'element' or 'ion' and units of measurement.
- • Memorize qualitative tests for common ions and molecules, including reagents, conditions, and expected observations.
- • Practice writing precise and detailed answers, using specific chemical terms and avoiding vague language.
- • Pay attention to the properties and reactions of inorganic and organic compounds.
- • Remember to study NPK fertilizers
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice (Core)
Candidates found this paper challenging overall, possibly reflecting disruptions due to the COVID pandemic. Some questions were less demanding than others, while several proved difficult. Candidates should dedicate time to carefully examine all statements in multiple completion questions.
Study Tips:
- ✓ Pay close attention to detail in the question, including units and all statements in multiple-choice questions.
- ✓ Review key concepts regularly to ensure good recall of important facts and reactions.
- ✓ When faced with a demanding question, try to eliminate incorrect options to improve your chances of selecting the correct answer.
Common Mistakes:
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)
Candidates found this to be a challenging paper. Many questions showed that weaker performing candidates were guessing. Candidates should take time to check all statements in multiple completion questions.
Study Tips:
- ✓ Carefully read each question and all possible answers before selecting your final answer.
- ✓ Focus on understanding fundamental definitions and concepts, such as the difference between atoms and ions.
Common Mistakes:
Paper 13 - Multiple Choice (Core)
Candidates found this paper to be a challenging paper. Candidates should take time to check all the statements in multiple completion questions.
Study Tips:
- ✓ Practice working through each option in turn in multiple-choice questions to identify the correct answer.
- ✓ Use diagrams and visual aids to help understand complex concepts, such as dot-and-cross diagrams for ionic bonding.
Common Mistakes:
Paper 21 - Multiple Choice (Extended)
Overall, candidates found the paper relatively accessible. However, certain questions, particularly those involving the recall of specific chemical tests and the distinction between alloys and galvanised metals, proved challenging.
Study Tips:
- ✓ Pay attention to all details provided in the question and use them to guide your answer.
- ✓ Thoroughly review chemical tests and their corresponding observations to avoid guessing.
- ✓ Practice distinguishing between similar concepts like alloys and galvanised metals to improve accuracy.
Common Mistakes:
Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0620 May-June 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 May-June 2022 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.
This page contains all 0620 past papers from May-June 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.
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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:
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):
* 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:
- Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
- Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0620 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
- 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 May-June 2022 past papers?
Are 0620 mark schemes included?
What papers are available for IGCSE Chemistry 0620?
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Continue Studying Chemistry
Prepare for these topics before attempting the past papers:
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We share these materials freely for educational purposes to help students prepare for their examinations. This platform is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.
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