Four weeks is enough to revise the whole Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) syllabus if you follow a plan and work a little every day. This guide gives you a week-by-week timetable, a simple daily routine and the revision methods that work best. Adjust it to your exam date and your own weak topics.
Before you start
- Get the syllabus. The free syllabus on Cambridge’s website lists every topic. Tick each one off as you revise it.
- Know your tier and papers. Core and Extended students study some different content, so check which applies to you.
- Collect practice questions. Ask your teacher for official past papers, and use the practice questions on our notes pages.
- Start a mistake log. A notebook where you write down every question you got wrong and why.
The four-week plan at a glance
| Week | Focus | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations | States of matter; atomic structure, elements and compounds; bonding; the periodic table |
| 2 | Calculations and energy | The mole and stoichiometry; chemical energetics; rates and reversible reactions; electrochemistry |
| 3 | Chemistry of substances | Acids, bases and salts; metals; chemistry of the environment; organic chemistry |
| 4 | Practice and weak spots | Timed questions, experimental techniques and chemical analysis, and your mistake log |
Week 1: build the foundations
Everything else rests on these topics, so take your time. Learn the structure of the atom, how to write electronic configurations for the first 20 elements, and how ionic, covalent and metallic bonding differ. Our atomic structure notes include an interactive atom builder to practise with. Finish each day with five practice questions.
Week 2: calculations and energy
This is where many students lose marks, so spend extra time here. Work through the mole and stoichiometry notes and use the calculator to check your answers. Read our guide to the five most common calculation mistakes too. Then cover energy changes, rates of reaction, reversible reactions and electrolysis.
Week 3: the chemistry of substances
Learn the reactions of acids, bases and salts, the reactivity series and extraction of metals, and the key facts about air, water and pollution. Then move on to organic chemistry: alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and the main reactions. Make a one-page summary sheet for each topic, with the equations you need to remember.
Week 4: practise and fix your weak spots
- Do timed practice papers or sets of questions, and mark them strictly.
- Learn the practical skills and chemical tests for gases and ions, and the common colour changes.
- Go through your mistake log and redo every question you got wrong.
- In the final two days, review your summary sheets and rest well before the exam.
A simple daily routine (60 to 90 minutes)
- 10 minutes: recall yesterday’s topic from memory, without looking at your notes.
- 30 minutes: study or revise the new topic.
- 20 to 30 minutes: answer practice questions on it.
- 10 minutes: mark your work and update your mistake log.
Revision methods that work
- Active recall. Test yourself instead of rereading. Cover your notes and write what you remember.
- Spaced repetition. Return to each topic after a few days, then again after a week.
- Flashcards. Use them for definitions, tests for ions and gases, and key equations.
- Practice questions. They show you what you really know and what you only recognise.
- Explain it aloud. If you can teach a topic to someone else, you understand it.
Exam technique
Read each question carefully and underline the command word, such as describe, explain, state or calculate. Show your working in calculations, give units, and check that your answer is sensible. Leave no gaps, because an attempt can earn marks.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should I revise?
Around 60 to 90 minutes of focused work is a good start for many students. If you are behind, add a second short session, but keep rest days.
Can I do this in two weeks?
Yes, but each week would cover double the topics, so choose your weakest topics first and leave the strongest for quick reviews.
What if I am a Core student?
Follow the same plan, but only study the Core content in your syllabus. Skip anything marked as Extended.
What should I do if I fall behind?
Do not try to catch up on everything. Move on to the next week and add the missed topic to your weak-spot list for week four.
Want a plan made for you?
Book a 1-to-1 online lesson with Ms. Asim and get a revision plan built around your exam date and your weak topics.
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