Chemistry splits students into two groups fairly early: those who are comfortable with moles and equations, and those who quietly avoid every calculation question. The second group is larger than most parents realise, and it is the single biggest reason good students end up a grade below where they should be.
Syllabus codes at a glance
| Cambridge IGCSE | Cambridge O Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 0620 | 5070 |
Always confirm the exact syllabus code and exam series with your school. They appear on the statement of entry.
What the syllabus covers
- Particles and atomic structure: states of matter, atoms, isotopes, ions and bonding
- Stoichiometry: formulae, balancing equations and the mole (the topic that unlocks the rest)
- Electrochemistry: electrolysis and, in the current syllabus, fuel cells
- Chemical energetics and rates: exothermic and endothermic reactions, collision theory, catalysts
- Equilibrium, acids, bases and salts: reversible reactions, pH, titration and salt preparation
- The Periodic Table and metals: trends, reactivity series, extraction and corrosion
- Chemistry of the environment: water, air quality and climate
- Organic chemistry: alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids and polymers
- Experimental techniques and chemical analysis: separation, chromatography and identifying ions and gases
IGCSE 0620 has Core and Extended tiers; O Level 5070 is a single tier. Both include practical skills assessed through a practical test or an alternative to practical paper.
How we teach IGCSE & O Level Chemistry
Every student starts with a topic-by-topic diagnostic, because "weak at Chemistry" is not specific enough to fix. We need to know which topics are losing marks, and whether the problem is understanding, recall or exam technique.
- Diagnose: a short test across the syllabus, marked against the real mark scheme.
- Rebuild concepts: we fix the underlying idea first. Technique on top of a shaky concept collapses under exam pressure.
- Drill past papers: full cycles of past papers, learning the command words and exactly what examiners give marks for.
- Time and track: timed papers in the final weeks, with progress tracked topic by topic.
Classes are live online in groups of 3–5 students, or one-to-one when a student is starting late or has very specific gaps. Sessions are recorded for revision, and parents get honest progress updates on WhatsApp.
Where students usually lose marks
- Mole calculations, usually a setup problem, not an arithmetic one
- Ionic and half equations in electrolysis
- Qualitative analysis: memorising test results without understanding them
- Organic reaction conditions: knowing the reagent but not the conditions examiners ask for
- Describe vs explain: giving an observation when the question asked for a reason
See the full IGCSE Academics programme, or read IGCSE vs O Level: what actually differs.
Frequently asked questions
My child struggles with moles. Can that really be fixed?
Almost always. Mole problems usually come from setting up the calculation wrongly rather than from maths. We teach one consistent method and drill it until it is automatic.
Do you cover both IGCSE 0620 and O Level 5070?
Yes. The content overlaps heavily, but paper formats differ, so we teach to the exact syllabus your child is entered for and use the matching past papers.
How much past-paper practice is included?
A lot. After the concept work, sessions move to full past-paper cycles marked against the real mark scheme, then timed papers in the final weeks.
Can my child take Chemistry with another subject?
Yes. Many students pair Chemistry with Physics or Biology. Tell us the subjects in your enquiry and we will build a timetable around school.