Sciences are best studied with plenty of hands-on experiences and practical investigations. This can be done, but if you cannot access all the materials or a laboratory for a practical examination, you can take an alternative to practical component as part of Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620), and you can answer practical-based questions in AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (9-1) (4CH1).
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I will include resources here for all three examination boards, and wish you the best in your research into IGCSE or GCSE Chemistry.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I will include resources here for all three examination boards, and wish you the best in your research into IGCSE or GCSE Chemistry.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments, read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-chemistry-0620/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-chemistry-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-chemistry-0620/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-chemistry-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to examination board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
- Winterbottom, M. & de Winter, J. (2017) Approaches to learning and teaching Science: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781316645857 [Endorsed]
- Harwood, R. & Chadwick, T. (2015) Breakthrough to CLIL for Chemistry. ISBN: 9781107638556 [Endorsed]
- Harwood, R. & Lodge, I. (2015) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry Coursebook: Cambridge Elevate Enhanced Edition. ISBN: 9781107503113 [Endorsed]
- Sunley, C. & Goodman, S. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Student Book, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9780007592654 [Endorsed]
- Sunley, C. & Goodman, S. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Teacher Pack, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9780007592661 [Endorsed]
- Earl, B. & Wilford, D. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry with CD-ROM, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781444176445 [Endorsed]
- Harwood, R. & Lodge, I. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Coursebook with CD-ROM, 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781107615038 [Endorsed]
- Harden, H. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Maths Skills Workbook. ISBN: 9781108728133 [Endorsed]
- Strachan, M. (2016) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Practical Teacher's Guide with CD-ROM. ISBN: 9781316610947 [Endorsed]
- Strachan, M. (2016) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Practical Workbook. ISBN: 9781316609460 [Endorsed]
- Norris, R. (2015) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9781107697997 [Endorsed]
- Harwood, R. & Lodge, I. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Teacher's Resource CD-ROM, 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781107615014 [Endorsed]
- Harwood, R. & Lodge, I. (2016) Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Workbook. ISBN: 9781107614994 [Endorsed]
- Strachan, M. et al. (2019) Kognity Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry. Available at: www.kognity.com
- Conoley, C. (2017) Letts Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9780008210328 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1)
- Goodman, S. & Sunley, C. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Chemistry: Student Book. ISBN: 9780008236212 [Endorsed]
- Hill, G. & Wensley, R. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry: Student Book, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510405202 [Endorsed]
- Clark, J. et al. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Chemistry: Student Book and ActiveBook. [Endorsed]
AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)
- Ryan, L. (2016) AQA GCSE Chemistry, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9780198359388 [Endorsed]
- Daniels, A. (2017) AQA GCSE (9-1) Chemistry: Student Book. ISBN: 9780008158767 [Endorsed]
- Grime, R. & Henry, N. (2016) AQA GCSE (9-1) Chemistry. ISBN: 9781471851346 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE Chemistry
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSEs or GCSEs. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/chemistry/
Though this site does not cover IGCSE chemistry, it is still a useful secondary source of revision for students.
http://www.gcsechemistry.com/
This is another comprehensive site, useful for revision purposes or for note taking. The adverts are distracting though, and take up so much visual display.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry
A useful revision site for students, especially to recap all the basics.
http://www.docbrown.info/
Doc Brown’s comprehensive site of notes and revision material. The interactive quizzes with instant marking and explanations make this site worth returning to, again and again.
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/index.html#top
A UK-based site, with specific content on CAIE Chemistry for students and teachers alike.
http://www.chalkbored.com/lessons/chemistry-11.htm
A US-based site, but it contains useful information, including power points that can be used by students and teachers.
https://teachercavalcade.wordpress.com/
Another US-based site, this might have useful content, and it’s free, thanks to the teacher, Mr. Guch.
http://www.newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/pages/miscon/refs.php
This site is a good resource to access for common misconceptions in science.
http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com/us/
A subscription-based site, this is a good resource for virtual labs. The student works through the interactive lessons, and can ‘use’ lab equipment, take assessment tests, make notes and so on. The high school curriculum is being updated and improved all the time.
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry
Aimed at teachers, this site has plenty of experiments, worksheets and lesson plans. Well worth a look.
http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/
This is quite a fun site, with lots of resources for teachers and students to show the application of science.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
This is a really comprehensive site, mainly for maths and science. Geared at students of all ages, it is a wonderful site for self-paced learning. Teachers can use the site for lesson planning or to supplement what they are doing. It’s also fun to earn badges for completion of skill levels.
http://www.rsc.org/
There are numerous resources here for teachers and students. The periodic table is a quick reference tool, as hovering over any element gives various statistics.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/education/uran.htm
Nuclear energy information website, including where nuclear power reactors are found in the world.
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/chemistry
The Open University has some really interesting videos on a variety of subjects, including Chemistry. Have a look at some of these, and if you want to see elements reacting with water in an explosive way!
http://www.scienceinschool.org/
A great reference site for all the sciences, for teachers or motivated students. It is worth having a look at this site, as the chemistry students that want to learn more can delve into the topics found here.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
Though this site does not cover IGCSE chemistry, it is still a useful secondary source of revision for students.
http://www.gcsechemistry.com/
This is another comprehensive site, useful for revision purposes or for note taking. The adverts are distracting though, and take up so much visual display.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry
A useful revision site for students, especially to recap all the basics.
http://www.docbrown.info/
Doc Brown’s comprehensive site of notes and revision material. The interactive quizzes with instant marking and explanations make this site worth returning to, again and again.
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/index.html#top
A UK-based site, with specific content on CAIE Chemistry for students and teachers alike.
http://www.chalkbored.com/lessons/chemistry-11.htm
A US-based site, but it contains useful information, including power points that can be used by students and teachers.
https://teachercavalcade.wordpress.com/
Another US-based site, this might have useful content, and it’s free, thanks to the teacher, Mr. Guch.
http://www.newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/pages/miscon/refs.php
This site is a good resource to access for common misconceptions in science.
http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com/us/
A subscription-based site, this is a good resource for virtual labs. The student works through the interactive lessons, and can ‘use’ lab equipment, take assessment tests, make notes and so on. The high school curriculum is being updated and improved all the time.
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry
Aimed at teachers, this site has plenty of experiments, worksheets and lesson plans. Well worth a look.
http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/
This is quite a fun site, with lots of resources for teachers and students to show the application of science.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
This is a really comprehensive site, mainly for maths and science. Geared at students of all ages, it is a wonderful site for self-paced learning. Teachers can use the site for lesson planning or to supplement what they are doing. It’s also fun to earn badges for completion of skill levels.
http://www.rsc.org/
There are numerous resources here for teachers and students. The periodic table is a quick reference tool, as hovering over any element gives various statistics.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/education/uran.htm
Nuclear energy information website, including where nuclear power reactors are found in the world.
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/chemistry
The Open University has some really interesting videos on a variety of subjects, including Chemistry. Have a look at some of these, and if you want to see elements reacting with water in an explosive way!
http://www.scienceinschool.org/
A great reference site for all the sciences, for teachers or motivated students. It is worth having a look at this site, as the chemistry students that want to learn more can delve into the topics found here.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.