IGCSE Chemistry 0620 — May-June 2024 Past Papers, Topics & Exam Tips
The Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) May-June 2024 session consisted of 6 papers across 18 variants, covering 20 syllabus topics across all papers. This page links to every question paper, mark scheme, grade threshold and session feedback document released by Cambridge for this session, together with a topic-level breakdown of what was tested and topic-matched exam tips in our own voice.
Study Resources for Chemistry
Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:
Jump straight to the topics this session tested most:
0620 May-June 2024 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 2024 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Reactivity series (Metals) worth 22 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Formulae, functional groups and nomenclature (12 marks) and Group I - Alkali metals (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 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (5 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0620 Paper 4 from May-June 2024 tests 5 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Formulae (Stoichiometry) worth 30 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Group I - Alkali metals (14 marks) and Reactivity series (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 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 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Particle theory (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 Particle theory 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 2024 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Particle theory (States of matter) worth 20 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Acids and bases (7 marks) and Solids, liquids and gases (7 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 Particle theory to maximize your score.
Topic coverage in May-June 2024
Marks in this session were weighted unevenly across the 20 syllabus topics, with the heaviest emphasis on Reactivity series. Substantial weight also fell on Solids, liquids and gases and Particle theory , with Formulae and Group I - Alkali metals rounding out the five most-tested areas. Together these five topics made up about 53% of the topic-level marks awarded in the May-June 2024 session — a useful signal for where to focus revision time. The full topic-by-paper breakdown is further down the page.
Exam tips for topics in May-June 2024
- → Reactivity series: Memorise this: the reducing agent *itself* gets oxidized and *causes* the reduction of another substance; vice versa for oxidising agents.
- → Solids, liquids and gases: List out the common gases (O2, N2, CO2, NH3, Cl2, etc.) and note their distinctive physical and chemical properties.
- → Particle theory: Make a table to keep straight the charge and mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- → Formulae: For any molecular formula, tally up each element separately; the subscripts tell you the number of atoms for each element.
- → Group I - Alkali metals: Groups are the vertical columns, while periods are the horizontal rows — picture a 'group' of people standing tall, and a 'period' at the end of a horizontal sentence.
Other Resources
Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.
What was tested on each paper — 0620 May-June 2024
Here's which syllabus topics appeared in each of the 6 Chemistry 0620 papers in May-June 2024 and how the marks broke down. Focus your revision on the papers you're sitting — Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6 for Core tier; Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 6 for Extended tier. Click any topic below to jump straight to our revision notes, or browse the full Chemistry 0620 revision guide →.
Paper 3 — Theory (Core) · 80 marks total
Tested 7 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Reactivity series (22m), Formulae, functional groups and nomenclature (12m), Group I - Alkali metals (11m), Air and air quality (11m), Particle theory (9m) and Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells (8m), plus 1 other topic.
Paper 4 — Theory (Extended) · 80 marks total
Tested 5 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Formulae (30m), Group I - Alkali metals (14m), Reactivity series (14m), Reversible reactions and equilibrium (10m) and Electrolysis of specific substances (7m).
Paper 6 — Alternative to Practical · 40 marks total
Tested 3 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Particle theory (20m), Acids and bases (7m) and Solids, liquids and gases (7m).
0620 May-June 2024 at a glance
- Papers: 6 (18 variants total)
- Topics covered: 20
- Highest-weighted topic: Reactivity series
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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.
Which variant you sit is set by your school's administrative zone: in the November 2026 timetable, for 0620, Variant 1 is sat in Zones 1 and 2, Variant 2 in Zones 3 and 4, and Variant 3 in Zones 5 and 6. Which zones sit which variant differs from subject to subject, so ask your exams officer which zone your school is in.
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.
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.
June 2024, option BX (components 21, 41, 51), out of 200:
From the Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2024. Each option has its own thresholds: see every 0620 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 the same topic, that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.
How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 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 (Theory, Extended) 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.
🎯 Grade Targets
In June 2024, an A* in IGCSE Chemistry needed 160 to 170 out of 200 (80% to 85%) on the Extended options, depending on the option (Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2024). See the grade thresholds for every 0620 session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download IGCSE Chemistry May-June 2024 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?
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