Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 - Version 1 - syllabus for exams 2025-2027

Oct 2, 2026

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 syllabus (Version 1) explains how the qualification will be examined in 2025, 2026 and 2027, with exam availability across June, November, and the March series in India. It outlines key benefits, aims, syllabus overview, and assessment objectives, then details subject content for Biology, Chemistry and Physics alongside practical and core/extended assessment structures. It also covers administrative guidance including accessibility, making entries, grades, and the specific changes for these exam years.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages88

Reading Time3 h 42 min

AccessFree to download

Why choose this syllabus?

Key benefits

Syllabus overview

Aims

Content overview

Assessment overview

Assessment objectives

Subject content

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Details of the assessment

Core assessment

Extended assessment

Practical assessment

Language of measurement

Apparatus, materials and reagents

Safety in the laboratory

Electrical symbols

Symbols and units for physical quantities

Notes for use in qualitative analysis

The Periodic Table of Elements

Mathematical requirements

Presentation of data

Conventions

Command words

What else you need to know

Before you start

Making entries

Accessibility and equality

After the exam

Grade descriptions

Changes to this syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027

Syllabus ™ Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 Use this syllabus for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Exams are available in the June and November series. Exams are also available in the March series in India. Version 1 For the purposes of screen readers, any mention in this document of Cambridge IGCSE refers to Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Why choose Cambridge International? Cambridge International prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a department of the University of Cambridge. Our Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn – with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the skills they need for life, so they can achieve at school, university and work. Our programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. They are created by subject experts, rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research. They provide a strong platform for learners to progress from one stage to the next, and are well supported by teaching and learning resources. Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and qualifications for school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we develop Cambridge learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged – equipped for success in the modern world. Every year, nearly a million Cambridge students from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with the Cambridge Pathway. School feedback: ‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’ Feedback from: Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA Quality management Cambridge International is committed to providing exceptional quality. In line with this commitment, our quality management system for the provision of international qualifications and education programmes for students aged 5 to 19 is independently certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard, [ISO 9001:2015. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001](ISO 9001:2015. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001) © Cambridge University Press & Assessment September 2022 Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a department of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre. Contents Why choose Cambridge International? ........................................................................ 2 1 Why choose this syllabus? ........................................................................................ 5 2 Syllabus overview ....................................................................................................... 8 Aims 8 Content overview 9 Assessment overview 10 Assessment objectives 11 3 Subject content .........................................................................................................13 Biology 13 Chemistry 27 Physics 44 4 Details of the assessment ....................................................................................... 60 Core assessment 60 Extended assessment 60 Practical assessment 61 Language of measurement 64 Apparatus, materials and

FAQs

Which exam series are covered for Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653?

Exams are available in the June and November series, and also in the March series in India.

What years does this syllabus version apply to?

This syllabus is for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

What subjects are included in the combined science subject content?

The syllabus subject content includes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Oct 2, 2026

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