0620

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) - October-November 2022 Past Papers

Download 41 free IGCSE Chemistry past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the October-November 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 October-November 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3

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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3

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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (8 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 3 from October-November 2022 tests 8 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Reactivity series (Metals) worth 13 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Acids and bases (13 marks) and Electrolysis (12 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Reactivity series 13/80
Acids and bases 13/80
Electrolysis 12/80
Group VII - Halogens 10/80
Alcohols 9/80
Elements, compounds and mixtures 8/80
Formulae 8/80
Alkanes 7/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Chemistry revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Reactivity series 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (6 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 4 from October-November 2022 tests 6 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 Reversible reactions and equilibrium (14 marks) and Formulae (14 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Group I - Alkali metals 23/80
Reversible reactions and equilibrium 14/80
Formulae 14/80
Carboxylic acids 12/80
Particle theory 9/80
Oxides 8/80

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 5 - Practical Test

1 hr 15 min • 40 marks

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

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 5 from October-November 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Calculations (Stoichiometry) worth 19 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Solids, liquids and gases (15 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Calculations 19/40
Solids, liquids and gases 15/40

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

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0620 Paper 6 from October-November 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Experimental design (Experimental techniques and chemical analysis) worth 19 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Solids, liquids and gases (15 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Experimental design 19/40
Solids, liquids and gases 15/40

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.

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
P5
P5

0620 October-November 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 October-November 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
Reactivity series (Metals)
Notes 12 cards
13m
Acids and bases (Acids, bases and salts)
Notes 19 cards
13m
Electrolysis (Electrochemistry)
Notes 12 cards
12m
Group VII - Halogens (The Periodic Table)
Notes 12 cards
10m
Alcohols (Organic chemistry)
Notes 11 cards
9m
Elements, compounds and mixtures (Atoms, elements and compounds)
Notes 11 cards
8m

+ 2 more topics

0620 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total
Group I - Alkali metals (The Periodic Table)
Notes 9 cards
23m
Reversible reactions and equilibrium (Chemical reactions)
Notes 12 cards
14m
Formulae (Stoichiometry)
Notes 12 cards
14m
Carboxylic acids (Organic chemistry)
Notes 12 cards
12m
Particle theory (States of matter)
Notes 10 cards
9m
Oxides (Acids, bases and salts)
10 cards
8m

0620 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total
Calculations (Stoichiometry)
Notes 11 cards
19m
Solids, liquids and gases (States of matter)
Notes 12 cards
15m

0620 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total
Experimental design (Experimental techniques and chemical analysis)
Notes 12 cards
19m
Solids, liquids and gases (States of matter)
Notes 12 cards
15m

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 - October-November 2022

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Pay close attention to the wording of questions, especially key terms and phrases.
  • • Thoroughly revise core definitions and syllabus reactions.
  • • Practice numerical questions involving calculations, including mole ratios and limiting reactants.
  • • Memorize the reactions, trends and properties of elements in Groups I and VII.
  • • Improve knowledge of organic chemistry, including terminology, structure, and reactions.
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Candidates found this paper challenging, with relatively few achieving high marks. Structure and bonding and organic chemistry were the areas where students struggled the most.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Prioritize studying areas you find challenging, such as structure and bonding and organic chemistry.
  • ✓ Practice past paper questions to identify weak areas and misconceptions.

Common Mistakes:

Q6 (Conductivity of ionic substances)
✗ Confused the conductivity of ionic substances in different physical states.
→ Understand that ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water (aqueous solution), not in the solid-state due to the ions not being free to move.
Q7 (Structure and uses of graphite)
✗ Had only partial knowledge of the structure and uses of graphite.
→ Revise the layered structure of graphite and how this relates to its properties, such as its use as a lubricant and as an electrode.
Q10 (Electrolysis)
✗ Identified a positive-negative attraction but did not identify the correct product or failed to consider the physical state of the substance.
→ Check the physical state of the substance during electrolysis. Also, consider whether the product would react with water in an aqueous solution.
Q15 (Colour changes of copper(II) sulfate and cobalt(II) chloride)
✗ Poorly recalled the colour changes of copper(II) sulfate and cobalt(II) chloride, suggesting guessing.
→ Memorize the colour changes of anhydrous and hydrated copper(II) sulfate and cobalt(II) chloride.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Organic chemistry proved difficult, with questions focusing on recall and application being challenging. Students performed better on questions regarding particles, separation techniques, atomic structure, and bonding.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Focus on organic chemistry, especially terminology and applications.
  • ✓ Practice drawing dot-and-cross diagrams for different molecules.

Common Mistakes:

Q11 (Endothermic and Exothermic Processes)
✗ Confused between endothermic and exothermic processes.
→ Remember that exothermic processes release heat (negative delta H) and endothermic processes absorb heat (positive delta H).
Q14 (Rate of Reaction)
✗ Did not choose the fastest rate based on the shape of the curve, but chose the largest volume.
→ The steepest part of the curve shows the fastest reaction rate.
Q21 (Chemical Reactions)
✗ Incorrect answer was the most popular for candidates who didn't perform well overall.
→ Always try to relate the question to the fundamental concepts and review all the possible options carefully.
Q34 (Organic Chemistry Terminology (Hydrocarbons))
✗ Failed to recall that hydrocarbons contain hydrogen and carbon only and guessed on the question.
→ Review basic organic chemistry definitions and pay attention to the meaning of prefixes and suffixes in the names of organic compounds.
Paper 13 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Candidates found this paper slightly more demanding than previous years, with fewer achieving the highest marks. There were challenges with understanding ions and remembering properties of groups I and VII.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Pay close attention to the wording of the question, especially the use of 'not'.
  • ✓ Focus revision on the reactions and properties of elements in Groups I and VII.

Common Mistakes:

Q4 (Electronic Structure of Ions)
✗ Confused the meaning of the positive sign on a sodium ion and added an extra electron.
→ Remember that a positive charge on an ion means electrons have been lost, while a negative charge means electrons have been gained.
Q5 (Compounds and Mixtures (Alloys))
✗ Confused the term 'compound' and 'mixture'.
→ Revise the definitions of compounds and mixtures. Alloys are mixtures of metals.
Q15 (Test for water)
✗ Poorly recalled standard test for water using anhydrous salts.
→ Revise the standard test for water using anhydrous copper(II) sulfate (turns blue) or anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride (turns pink).
Q21 (Trends in Group I and VII)
✗ Recalled trend in density of Group VII elements but less secure in recall of Group I.
→ Memorize the trends in physical properties of elements in both Group I and Group VII.
Paper 21 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

Candidates found this to be a challenging paper overall. Calculation questions and questions involving syllabus reactions, particularly those reactions that release a gas, were not well answered.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice calculation questions thoroughly.
  • ✓ Memorize key syllabus reactions, especially those involving gas production.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (General)
✗ Chose the reverse of the correct answer.
→ Read carefully!
Q9 (Limiting Reactant and Mole Ratios)
✗ Missed the 2:1 ratio in the equation; some did not determine the limiting reactant.
→ Always check the stoichiometry of the equation and identify the limiting reactant before calculating the amount of product formed.
Q10 (Electrolysis)
✗ Identified direction of electron movement but not the movement of positive ions.
→ In electrolysis, electrons flow through the external circuit, while ions move within the electrolyte.
Q13 (Bond Energy Calculations)
✗ Appeared to be guessing.
→ Use the formula: ΔH = Σ(bonds broken) - Σ(bonds formed). Make sure to consider the number of moles and the coefficients in the balanced equation.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0620 October-November 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 October-November 2022 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0620 past papers from October-November 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 October-November 2022 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Chemistry (0620) October-November 2022 past papers directly from this page. We provide 41 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 October-November 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

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Revision Notes
49 topics covered
Flashcards
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Practice Quiz
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