IGCSE Exams: Proven Tips from Expert Tutors

Preparing for the IGCSE exams can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, your child can approach them with confidence—and succeed. At Academio, we've helped hundreds of students across subjects navigate the IGCSE journey. Here are five practical, no-fluff tips that truly work.

1. Start Early, Finish Strong

Each IGCSE subject includes around 130 hours of instruction. That’s completely manageable—if you start early.

We recommend students aim to complete the syllabus by the end of Grade 9. This gives them all of Grade 10 for:

• Revision

• Reinforcement

• Past paper practice

This approach prevents burnout and allows time to build deeper understanding.

2. Write it Right

Knowing the content is only half the battle. Writing the answer the right way is equally important.

In subjects like Economics or physics or chemistry alternative to practicals, understanding command terms such as Describe, Explain, and Evaluate is essential.

For example:

• A 10-mark 'Analyse' question in History requires a structured argument, both sides of the issue, and detailed evidence.

• In English, especially for the Writer’s Effect question, you need to know what Cambridge expects.

Learning how to write for the exam can significantly boost performance.

3. Know What Counts More

Not all exam components carry equal weight.

For instance, in Physics and Chemistry, the Multiple Choice Paper often has more weight than the Alternative to Practical, even though both are marked out of 40.

If students are spending too much time on one section and ignoring another that’s worth more marks, they’re not making the most of their prep. It’s important to understand the paper structure and allocate study time accordingly.

4. Past Papers Are Gold

Past papers are the most powerful tool in your IGCSE preparation.

They help students shift into “exam mode,” apply what they’ve learned, and build confidence. At Academio, we encourage students to start solving past papers early and to include all components—multiple choice, theory, structured response, and extended writing.

Regular practice, paired with review and feedback, leads to meaningful improvement.

5. Fix, Don’t Just Repeat

Doing past papers is helpful—but only if used strategically.

For example, if a student consistently struggles with 3-mark questions in Biology, it’s better to pause and practice that specific skill using topical questions. Then, return to full past papers to track progress.

The goal is steady improvement over time, not just repetition.

Let’s Make Exam Prep Stress-Free

At Academio, we believe that exam preparation should be smart, structured, and low-stress. If your child is preparing for the IGCSE or IB exams, our experienced tutors can provide a personalised study plan to support their success. We're here to help every step of the way.