Cambridge IGCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2025 Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined (0653) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

A comprehensive analysis of the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) October/November 2025 examination, spanning MCQ, theory, and practical components. The paper displays a balanced distribution of basic recall and multi-step quantitative applications across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

AnalysisSample paper
Difficulty 3.2/5
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

  • Incorrect rounding or failure to quote calculated answers to two decimal places or two significant figures where specified (such as rate or resistance calculations).
  • Omitting key units or using incorrect units, especially matching Hz with GHz or expressing acceleration as m/s instead of m/s².
  • Mislabeling diagrams or incorrectly orienting arrows in food webs, pointing away from the predator instead of the direction of energy flow.

Misconceptions

  • Believing that viruses can be eradicated with antibiotic treatments, ignoring that antibiotics are strictly targeted to bacteria.
  • Assuming alloys have a regular layer arrangement that slides easily, rather than understanding that different-sized atoms disrupt the lattice.

Where marks are lost

  • Forgetting to plot more than half the grid during graph-drawing tasks, losing critical marks for scale selection.
  • Failing to write down intermediate math steps in physics equations, losing error-carried-forward (ECF) marks.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Source: Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official)
GradeMarkPercentage
A*151/20076%
A127/20064%
B103/20052%
C80/20040%
D70/20035%
E60/20030%
Official grade boundaries published by Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official).

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