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IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 Drill Guide: Practical Work
TUTORZONE EXAM DRILL GUIDE · IGCSE PHYSICS 0625 PAPER 6: PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Paper 6 is the practical paper: all of its 40 marks test instruments, measurement, readings and error, not long theory. Many candidates know the formulae and still drop marks on reading a rule, reading a stopwatch and writing the unit. This page covers the drilling method only: the order to open each of the four question types, the rules for readings and significant figures, and a checking routine for graphs and error questions.
How is IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 assessed, and what does each part carry?
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): All compulsory, testing experimental skills (AO3) (20%); Paper 4 (Theory, Extended): 80 marks (50%); Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended): 40 marks (30%); Paper 5 (Practical Test): 40 marks, alternative to Paper 6 (20%)
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical) | All compulsory, testing experimental skills (AO3) | 20% | 1 h 15 min |
| Paper 4 (Theory, Extended) | 80 marks | 50% | 1 h 15 min |
| Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended) | 40 marks | 30% | 45 min |
| Paper 5 (Practical Test) | 40 marks, alternative to Paper 6 | 20% | 1 h 15 min |
IGCSE Physics Paper 6 drilling technique: always give units; read to the next division below the smallest one (for example 0.05 on a 0.1 cm^3 scale); repeat timing measurements three times and average; a graph needs a titled axes pair with units and a sensible scale, and the gradient needs its unit; in error questions separate random from systematic error and give a workable improvement (repeat, control variables, use a finer instrument).
What each paper is actually testing
| Paper | Drill focus | How marks are lost |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical) | readings, units, errors | The reading stops short of the smallest division, so it is treated as a guess and not marked. |
| Paper 4 (Theory, Extended) | formulae, units, explanations | The unit is missing or wrong (newtons written as joules) and the mark is lost despite the figure. |
| Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended) | definitions and graph interpretation | The error question says “human error” with no improvement, losing the explanation marks. |
| Paper 5 (Practical Test) | hands-on work, recording, safety | Points are plotted off the grid, so the gradient comes out wrong. |
What is each IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 paper really testing, and what should you drill?
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): readings, units, errors; Paper 4 (Theory, Extended): formulae, units, explanations; Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended): definitions and graph interpretation; Paper 5 (Practical Test): hands-on work, recording, safety
Drill order: by topic, then by year, then the mark scheme
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. By topic | Work through each topic, starting with the paper that allows least help (no calculator / closed book) | Exposes what is genuinely not understood |
| 2. By year | Whole papers to time, one or two a week | Trains pace, stamina and question selection |
| 3. Mark scheme | Go through the marking scheme question by question and log the scoring steps you missed | Most lost marks are written wrong, not thought wrong |
Should drilling go by topic first or by year?
By topic first, then whole papers by year, then the mark scheme. The first third of the time goes topic by topic (8-10 years of the same topic back to back), the middle switches to timed whole papers, and the last fortnight only redoes the recurring errors from your log.
A 12-week drilling timetable
| Week | Phase | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-3 | By topic: foundation | Topic by topic, starting with the easiest marks, building habits and recall |
| Weeks 4-6 | By topic: core | 8-10 years of the same topic back to back, errors classified by topic |
| Weeks 7-8 | By topic: advanced and electives | Elective and higher-order topics, now under time pressure |
| Weeks 9-10 | By year: timed papers | One full paper a week, timed, no reference materials |
| Week 11 | Mark scheme work | Question by question against the marking scheme; list the scoring steps you omitted |
| Week 12 | Plug holes and simulate | Only the recurring errors from your log, then one full exam simulation |
Subject-specific weighting for this timetable: Weeks one to four drill only reading and unit items, ten in five minutes, then check every answer against the smallest division. Weeks five to eight take graphs and error questions, always writing the improvement before the reason. The final four weeks are timed whole papers, with missed experiment types (forces, electricity, heat) redone separately.
Use it properly: this is not a checklist to finish. Every week must keep time for redoing errors, or from week 9 you will be repeating the same batch.
Pacing
| Paper | Time | Suggested split |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical) | 1 h 15 min | 15-18 min a question; readings and tables first |
| Paper 4 (Theory, Extended) | 1 h 15 min | do the calculations first and leave the explanations for the end |
| Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended) | 45 min | about a minute a question; flag the uncertain ones |
| Paper 5 (Practical Test) | 1 h 15 min | write the plan first, then record data as you work |
How should the time be split inside each IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 paper?
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): 15-18 min a question; readings and tables first; Paper 4 (Theory, Extended): do the calculations first and leave the explanations for the end; Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, Extended): about a minute a question; flag the uncertain ones; Paper 5 (Practical Test): write the plan first, then record data as you work
The drilling mistakes that cost the most marks
| Mistake | What it looks like | What actually happens | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| No units | Writing 24 | Loses reading and calculation marks | Write 24.0 cm^3 |
| Wrong precision | Rounding 20.5 to 21 | Marks deducted | Read to the next division |
| Timing once only | One reading as the answer | Large random error | Repeat three times and average |
| Unlabelled graph | A line with no axis labels | Loses all the graph marks | Axes, units and a title |
The error log and the mark scheme
Three columns: experiment type; the cell that lost the mark (short reading, wrong unit, no improvement); and the standard wording. Anything appearing three times becomes a card you revise on its own before the exam.
How many years should you drill?
The Paper 6 format has barely changed, so every past paper stays useful: time the last five as whole papers and split older ones by experiment type. The scheme awards marks cell by cell, so check cell by cell, especially readings and units.
How many years of past papers is enough?
The Paper 6 format has barely changed, so every past paper stays useful: time the last five as whole papers and split older ones by experiment type. The scheme awards marks cell by cell, so check cell by cell, especially readings and units.
Frequently asked questions
Is this page a mock paper or a drilling guide?
This is the IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 drilling guide: assessment structure, drill order, a 12-week timetable, pacing, common mark losses and the error-log method. For questions with answers, use the IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 mock papers linked under Related.
By topic or by year first?
By topic. Eight to ten years of the same topic back to back is what exposes repeating errors; going straight to whole papers just repeats the same batch under time pressure.
How should the error log be written?
Do not copy out questions. Per error record four things: question reference, which step failed (concept, wording, calculation), what the mark scheme requires, and the correct action next time.
Does drilling help if I have never done the experiments?
Yes. Paper 6 tests the rules of measuring and recording, not manual skill. Learn how each instrument is read and its smallest division, then follow the diagrams, and the marks are still there.
How many significant figures should I give?
Follow the smallest division: a rule read to the millimetre is written to the millimetre plus one estimated digit. Do not add digits you cannot justify; extra ones cost marks.
Official references
| Resource | What to use it for |
|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 page | Confirm the paper marks, times and weightings |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-igcse-physics-0625-paper-4-mock-2027/ | IGCSE Physics Paper 4 drilling mock |
Original mock: IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 mock paper with answers; more practice in the practice area.
Next step: find a tutor / register as a tutor
After drilling, the hard part is telling a conceptual error from a writing error. Tell us the year group, the school and your available times, and TutorZone will match you with a tutor who knows the HKEAA assessment requirements.
Demand for tutors in this subject is steady, and those who can explain the marking scheme and where marks are won are especially sought after. Register free; you pay only when a match succeeds.
