What should I bring to a Cambridge IGCSE exam?

Black or dark blue pens (with spares), pencil and eraser, ruler, calculator (if allowed), student ID, and a clear water bottle. For Maths also bring a protractor and compass.

How should I manage time in an IGCSE exam?

Divide total time by total marks to get minutes per mark. A 6-mark question in a 1-minute-per-mark paper deserves 6 minutes. Read the whole paper first, answer confident questions first, and leave 5 minutes to check.

Is there negative marking in Cambridge IGCSE MCQ papers?

No. There is no negative marking in Cambridge IGCSE or A Level MCQ papers. Always attempt every question — a guess gives you a 25% chance of being correct.

Exam Day Tips for IGCSE & A Level

Practical advice to help you perform your best on exam day. Covers what to bring, time management, MCQ and written paper strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.

IGCSE & A Level All Subjects

What to Bring

Essential

Black or dark blue pens (bring spares)
Pencil and eraser (for graphs and diagrams)
Ruler (15 cm or 30 cm)
Calculator (if allowed for your paper)
Student ID / candidate number
Water bottle (clear, no label)

Subject-Specific

- Maths: Scientific calculator, protractor, compass
- Physics: Calculator, protractor (for ray diagrams)
- Chemistry: Calculator (for mole calculations)
- Biology: Coloured pencils (for diagrams, optional)

Not allowed: Phone, smartwatch, notes, correction fluid (Tipp-Ex). Check your exam centre's rules.

Time Management

The Marks-per-Minute Rule

Work out how long you have per mark before the exam starts. This tells you exactly how much time each question deserves.

Example: Paper 4 — 80 marks in 75 minutes

75 ÷ 80 = ~1 minute per mark

A 6-mark question deserves ~6 minutes. A 2-mark question gets ~2 minutes. Stick to this strictly.

Practical Tips

1. Read the whole paper first (2-3 minutes). Note which questions you're confident on.
2. Answer your strongest questions first to secure easy marks.
3. If stuck for more than 2 minutes on a question, move on and come back.
4. Leave 5 minutes at the end to check your answers.
5. Never leave a question blank — attempt everything.

MCQ Paper Strategy

How to Approach MCQs

1. Read the question carefully — many mistakes come from misreading what's being asked.
2. Eliminate wrong answers — crossing out options narrows your choice and improves your odds.
3. Watch for "NOT" and "EXCEPT" — these words flip what you're looking for.
4. Check units — especially in Physics and Chemistry calculations. The answer might be correct but in the wrong units.
5. Never leave blanks — there's no negative marking. A guess gives you a 25% chance.

Common MCQ Traps

! Calculation errors: Writing down intermediate steps avoids silly mistakes.
! Distractor answers: The most common wrong answer is often designed to catch a specific misconception.
! Changing answers: Only change if you're sure — your first instinct is usually right unless you find a clear error.
! Rushing the last few: Budget time so you're not guessing at the end. Aim for ~1 minute per question.

Want to practise? Try our past paper MCQs with detailed explanations, or read our MCQ mistake guides.

Written Paper Strategy

Maximising Marks

1. Match points to marks: A 3-mark question needs 3 distinct points. Don't write one point in three different ways.
2. Show all working: In calculations, method marks are available even if your final answer is wrong.
3. Use precise terminology: "Diffusion" not "spreading out". "Deceleration" not "slowing down". Vague language loses marks.
4. Answer the command word: "Explain" needs a reason. "Describe" needs what happens. "State" just needs the fact. See our command words guide.

Graphs, Diagrams & Calculations

- Graphs: Label axes with quantity AND unit. Use a ruler for straight lines. Plot points accurately — don't "connect the dots" through anomalies.
- Diagrams: Use a sharp pencil. Label clearly with lines (not arrows) that touch the part. Don't shade unless asked.
- Calculations: Write the formula first, then substitute values, then calculate. Always include units in your final answer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

- Confusing mass and weight
- Forgetting to convert units (g to kg, cm to m)
- Writing "it" instead of naming the specific substance or particle
- Not balancing chemical equations
- Mixing up "increase" and "decrease" in trends
- Drawing diagrams without labels

Mathematics

- Not reading the question carefully (e.g., "give your answer to 3 significant figures")
- Sign errors in algebra (especially with negatives)
- Forgetting to check if an answer is sensible
- Mixing up area and perimeter formulas
- Not showing working (method marks can't be given)
- Calculator in wrong mode (degrees vs radians)