0625

Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) - October-November 2022 Past Papers

Download 41 free IGCSE Physics 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 Physics (0625)

IGCSE Physics examines fundamental concepts including motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics. Candidates must demonstrate understanding of physical phenomena, apply mathematical equations, and analyze experimental data.

What this exam tests: Key skills tested include calculations, graph interpretation, practical methodology, and explaining scientific concepts.

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

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Physics

Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:

0625 October-November 2022 Papers

0625 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.

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0625 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.

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0625 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.

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View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (9 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0625 Paper 3 from October-November 2022 tests 9 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Physical quantities and measurement techniques (Motion, forces and energy) worth 19 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include General properties of waves (9 marks) and Electromagnetic effects (9 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Physical quantities and measurement techniques 19/80
General properties of waves 9/80
Electromagnetic effects 9/80
Energy, work and power 8/80
Kinetic particle model of matter 8/80
Electric circuits 8/80
Radioactivity 8/80
Forces 6/80
Simple phenomena of magnetism 5/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Physics revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Physical quantities and measurement techniques to maximize your score.

0625 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.

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View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (7 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0625 Paper 4 from October-November 2022 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Motion (Motion, forces and energy) worth 18 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Electric circuits (17 marks) and Kinetic particle model of matter (11 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Motion 18/80
Electric circuits 17/80
Kinetic particle model of matter 11/80
Physical quantities and measurement techniques 10/80
Forces 8/80
Transfer of thermal energy 8/80
The nuclear model of the atom 8/80

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

0625 Paper 5 - Practical Test

1 hr 15 min • 40 marks

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

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View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (3 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0625 Paper 5 from October-November 2022 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is General properties of waves (Waves) worth 11 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Electric circuits (11 marks) and Kinetic particle model of matter (11 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

General properties of waves 11/40
Electric circuits 11/40
Kinetic particle model of matter 11/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Physics revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like General properties of waves to maximize your score.

0625 Paper 6 - Alternative to Practical

1 hr • 40 marks

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

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View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (3 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0625 Paper 6 from October-November 2022 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is General properties of waves (Waves) worth 11 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Electric circuits (11 marks) and Kinetic particle model of matter (11 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

General properties of waves 11/40
Electric circuits 11/40
Kinetic particle model of matter 11/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Physics revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like General properties of waves 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.

Confidential Instructions

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

0625 October-November 2022 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) 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.

0625 Paper 3 (Theory (Core))

80 marks total
Physical quantities and measurement techniques (Motion, forces and energy)
19m
General properties of waves (Waves)
9m
Electromagnetic effects (Electricity and magnetism)
9m
Energy, work and power (Motion, forces and energy)
8m
Kinetic particle model of matter (Thermal physics)
8m
Electric circuits (Electricity and magnetism)
8m

+ 3 more topics

0625 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total
Motion (Motion, forces and energy)
18m
Electric circuits (Electricity and magnetism)
17m
Kinetic particle model of matter (Thermal physics)
11m
Physical quantities and measurement techniques (Motion, forces and energy)
10m
Forces (Motion, forces and energy)
8m
Transfer of thermal energy (Thermal physics)
8m

+ 1 more topics

0625 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total
General properties of waves (Waves)
11m
Electric circuits (Electricity and magnetism)
11m
Kinetic particle model of matter (Thermal physics)
11m

0625 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total
General properties of waves (Waves)
11m
Electric circuits (Electricity and magnetism)
11m
Kinetic particle model of matter (Thermal physics)
11m

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

  • Read questions carefully to understand exactly what is being asked before attempting to answer it.
  • Always show your working steps clearly to allow for partial credit, even if the final answer is incorrect.
  • Pay close attention to units and use the correct SI units for all answers.
  • Practice applying your knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations.
  • Review and understand the definitions and relationships between key physics concepts.
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice (Core)

In some numerical questions, candidates resorted to trial and error instead of applying logical reasoning. Some candidates struggled with reading the questions carefully and understanding the full context.

Study Tips:

  • Carefully read the question and identify exactly what is being asked before attempting to answer it.
  • Review the relationships between key concepts like force, motion, and energy.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Time measurement)
Calculating the average of the times for 10 swings without dividing by 10 to find the time for one swing.
Read the question carefully and pay attention to emboldened words like 'one' to understand what is being asked.
Q2 (Motion)
Not connecting increasing speed with acceleration.
Review the definitions of constant speed and acceleration.
Q3 (Weight and Mass)
Using the wrong conversion factor between mass and weight.
Remember that the conversion factor is 10 N/kg.
Q6 (Forces)
Not understanding that constant speed implies zero resultant force.
Recognize that if there is no acceleration, the resultant force is zero.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

In some numerical questions, candidates resorted to trial and error instead of applying logical reasoning. Energy conservation was a topic that was not well understood.

Study Tips:

  • When answering multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect options first.
  • Review the relationship between forces, motion, and energy transformations.

Common Mistakes:

QGeneral (Problem Solving)
Using trial and error instead of applying logical reasoning in numerical problems.
Focus on understanding the underlying physics principles and applying relevant formulas.
Q2 (Area Under Graph)
Not recognizing that the distance travelled is found by calculating the area under a speed-time graph.
Practice calculating areas under different shapes of speed-time graphs.
Q5 (Units)
Being confused by the solidus (/) in the unit of moment (N m) or not knowing its form
Ensure that you know and understand the units for all physical quantities. N m is force multiplied by distance
Q6 (Forces)
Not understanding that constant velocity (including rest) implies zero resultant force.
Review the relationship between resultant force and changes in velocity (acceleration).
Paper 13 - Multiple Choice (Core)

In some numerical questions, candidates resorted to trial and error instead of applying logical reasoning. Energy conservation was a topic that was not well understood.

Study Tips:

  • Carefully review the definitions of key physics concepts, such as mass, weight, force, energy, and velocity.
  • Practice interpreting graphs and applying the principles of energy conservation.

Common Mistakes:

QGeneral (Problem Solving)
Using trial and error instead of applying logical reasoning in numerical problems.
Focus on understanding the underlying physics principles and applying relevant formulas.
Q2 (Area Under Graph)
Incorrectly multiplying the final time by the final velocity to find distance travelled with changing velocity.
Remember to find the scaled area under the graph to determine distance travelled when velocity is not constant.
Q3 (Weight and Mass)
Thinking that weight is measured in kilograms.
Understand the difference between mass (kg) and weight (N). Weight is a force.
Q6 (Forces)
Not understanding that constant velocity (including rest) implies zero resultant force.
Review the relationship between resultant force and changes in velocity (acceleration).
Paper 21 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

Many candidates performed well, with stronger candidates succeeding on challenging questions. Some candidates struggled with questions involving multiple steps or abstract concepts.

Study Tips:

  • Practice applying your knowledge to a wide range of problem types.
  • Pay close attention to the units of measurement and ensure consistent use.

Common Mistakes:

Q9 (Energy and work done)
Forgetting that work done and kinetic energy are both measured in joules and can be added.
Ensure you understand the units and how quantities relate in work-energy problems.
Q11 (Gravitational potential energy)
Not subtracting the two heights when calculating change in gravitational potential energy.
Always consider the change in height, not just the final height, when calculating GPE change.
Q14 (Thermometers)
Thinking sensitivity is about rapidity of response, not the extent of the liquid movement for a given temperature change.
Understand that sensitivity is about the magnitude of the response, not how quickly it happens.
Q20 (Optics)
Believing the image lies in the plane of the mirror instead of as far behind as the object is in front.
Review the properties of image formation by plane mirrors.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0625 October-November 2022. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625)

Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) 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 0625 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.

Get Physics Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0625. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0625 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 0625 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 Physics Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0625 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 Physics responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0625 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 Physics typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Physics October-November 2022 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Physics (0625) 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 0625 mark schemes included?
Yes, mark schemes for all 0625 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 Physics 0625?
IGCSE Physics (0625) 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.

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