Cambridge IGCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2024 Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined (0653) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

A thorough analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) paper suite, focusing on Extended Theory (Paper 43), Core Theory (Paper 33), and Alternative to Practical (Paper 63). The assessment tests multi-disciplinary synthesis across biology, chemistry, and physics with a strong emphasis on quantitative unit conversions and structural drawing skills.

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

AnalysisSample paper
Difficulty 3.8/5
Total marks
160
Duration
180 mins
Most tested
—

Paper breakdown

Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended): 40 marks · 45 minsPaper 4: Theory (Extended): 80 marks · 75 minsPaper 6: Alternative to Practical: 40 marks · 60 mins

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

  • Forgetting to convert units, particularly converting wave speed from km/s to m/s, or converting seconds to hours in electrical charge calculations.
  • Omitting single continuation bonds on both ends of a polymer chain drawing.
  • Giving vague terms like 'hot' or 'heat' instead of specifying industrial requirements like 'high temperature' and 'catalyst' for hydrocarbon cracking.

Misconceptions

  • Believing that chemical covalent bonds are broken during state changes of simple molecular substances like nitrogen oxides, instead of weak intermolecular forces.
  • Confusing the distinct structural functions of xylem (support and unidirectional transport) and phloem (multidirectional sugar transport).

Where marks are lost

  • Inability to specify 'short diffusion pathway' as the physical adaptation explanation for thin capillary walls.
  • Failure to write out balanced molecular chemical equations with correct stoichiometry, such as 2NO + O2 -> 2NO2.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Source: Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official)
GradeMarkPercentage
A*150/20075%
A126/20063%
B102/20051%
C79/20040%
D68/20034%
E57/20029%
Official grade boundaries published by Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official).

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