{"id":252,"date":"2026-06-13T07:27:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T06:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/igcse.uk\/index.php\/syllabus-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T09:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T08:35:12","slug":"syllabus-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/igcse.uk\/index.php\/syllabus-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use an IGCSE Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Revision planning<\/span><\/p>\n

How to use an IGCSE syllabus or specification<\/h1>\n

The syllabus is more than a topic list. It explains what the exam board expects, how papers are structured and which skills need to be practised before the exam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Confirm the route<\/h3>\n

Check subject code, exam board, paper code, tier or option route and exam session.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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2. Mark the content<\/h3>\n

Turn each topic into a simple status: secure, needs review, weak or not yet studied.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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3. Read objectives<\/h3>\n

Assessment objectives show whether the student must recall, apply, analyse, evaluate, calculate or explain.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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4. Link to papers<\/h3>\n

Use past-paper questions to test syllabus points instead of revising topics in isolation.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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What the syllabus should tell you<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Section<\/th>\nWhat to check<\/th>\nWhy it matters<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Subject content<\/td>\nExact topics, definitions, formulas, texts, case areas or practical skills.<\/td>\nStops revision from drifting into material that is not tested or missing material that is tested.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Assessment objectives<\/td>\nThe skills the exam rewards, such as knowledge, application, reasoning or evaluation.<\/td>\nExplains why a student may know the topic but still lose marks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paper structure<\/td>\nPaper length, marks, question style, calculators, tiers, components or optional routes.<\/td>\nHelps build timed practice and choose the right paper for the student’s route.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Changes by year<\/td>\nNew syllabus version, changed topics, changed paper structure or assessment updates.<\/td>\nPrevents students using old materials in the wrong way.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Common mistakes<\/h2>\n

These mistakes make self-study look busy while progress stays unclear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n