Cambridge, specification 0653
Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science
Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) covers biology, chemistry and physics in three papers (multiple choice, theory and practical) at Core or Extended level. Here are all 17 topics and 10 practical skills, with free revision notes, exam questions with mark schemes, flashcards and mind maps. Content that is not in 0653 is left out for you.
What do you want to do?
Topics
All papers
Any topic can come up on any paper · Paper 2: 45 minutes · Paper 4: 1 hour 15 minutes · Paper 5 or Paper 6: 1 hour 15 minutes- 1Characteristics and classification of living organismsCharacteristics and classification · Features of organisms2 subtopics
- 2Organisation of the organismCell structure · Size of specimens2 subtopics
- 3Movement into and out of cellsDiffusion · Osmosis · Active transport3 subtopics
- 4Biological molecules1 subtopic
- 5Enzymes1 subtopic
- 6Plant nutritionPhotosynthesis · Leaf structure2 subtopics
- 7Human nutritionDiet · The digestive system · Chemical digestion3 subtopics
- 8Transport in plantsXylem and phloem · Water uptake · Transpiration3 subtopics
- 9Transport in animalsCirculatory systems · The heart · Blood vessels · Blood4 subtopics
- 10Diseases and immunityPathogens and transmission · Immunity2 subtopics
- 11Gas exchange in humans1 subtopic
- 12Respiration1 subtopic
- 13Drugs1 subtopic
- 14ReproductionSexual reproduction in plants · Sexual reproduction in humans · Sex hormones in humans3 subtopics
- 15Organisms and their environmentEnergy flow, food chains and food webs · Nutrient cycles · Populations3 subtopics
- 16Human influences on ecosystemsHabitat destruction · Conservation2 subtopics
- 17Experimental skillsPractical skills1 subtopic
What the labels mean
- Supplement
- Only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it.
Anything without a label is for everyone taking Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science.
About Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science
Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) is a single IGCSE that covers biology, chemistry and physics, and you must study all three. This site covers the biology part only: 16 biology topics plus the experimental skills. It uses the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) notes, questions and flashcards, with everything that is not in 0653 left out. Content labelled Supplement is only for the Extended papers. Extended candidates sit Papers 2 and 4, for grades A* to G. Core candidates sit Papers 1 and 3, for grades C to G. Everyone also takes one practical paper. Each paper mixes questions from all three sciences.
Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended)
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Marks
- 40 marks, 30% of the IGCSE
- Topics
- 40 multiple-choice questions on the Core and Supplement content of biology, chemistry and physics. Core candidates sit Paper 1 instead (Core only).
Paper 4: Theory (Extended)
- Time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 80 marks, 50% of the IGCSE
- Topics
- Short-answer and structured questions on the Core and Supplement content of all three sciences. Core candidates sit Paper 3 instead (Core only).
Paper 5 or Paper 6: Practical
- Time
- 1 hour 15 minutes (Practical Test) or 1 hour (Alternative to Practical)
- Marks
- 40 marks, 20% of the IGCSE
- Topics
- Experimental skills in biology, chemistry and physics, either in a laboratory (Paper 5) or on paper (Paper 6)