IGCSE Physics Past Papers by Topic (Edexcel)
Studying for your Edexcel IGCSE Physics exam can be overwhelming — especially with so many topics to cover and limited time to revise. One of the most effective ways to prepare is by practising past paper questions organised by topic. It allows you to focus on specific areas, identify weak spots, and develop confidence with real exam-style questions.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive collection of IGCSE Physics Past Papers by Topic. Whether you’re revising Forces and Motion, Electricity, or Astrophysics, you’ll find carefully grouped questions from 2019 to 2024 to help you stay on track. These resources are perfect for students who want a targeted approach to revision and for teachers looking to assign topic-based practice.
Use this page as a hub to access all our most popular topic-by-topic past paper compilations — proven to help students revise smarter, not harder.
Why Study by Topics for Exams
Studying past papers by topic is one of the most effective ways to prepare for IGCSE Physics. It allows students to focus on mastering one concept at a time, reinforcing understanding and identifying knowledge gaps more efficiently. Instead of jumping from one type of question to another, topic-based practice brings consistency and clarity, helping learners build confidence with each area of the syllabus.
This method also makes revision more targeted. By concentrating on, for example, Electricity or Astrophysics, students can quickly recognise common question styles, recurring formulas, and the level of detail examiners expect. It’s particularly helpful when reviewing challenging topics or after learning new material in class.
Teachers and tutors often recommend this approach to support active recall and exam technique. It breaks the revision process into manageable parts, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed before exams. Ultimately, studying by topic promotes deeper learning and better performance under exam conditions.
IGCSE Physics Topics and Past Papers
Below is a complete list of IGCSE Physics topics covered in the Edexcel specification, along with links to past paper questions organised by topic and year. These collections are designed to help students target their revision effectively and practice questions that reflect the format and style of real exam papers.
1. Forces and Motion
2. Electricity
3. Waves
4. Energy Resources and Energy Transfers
5. Solids, Liquids and Gases
6. Magnetism and Electromagnetism
7. Radioactivity and Particles
8. Astrophysics
Each of these collections provides a focused set of questions for its topic, helping students practise with real exam material grouped in a way that supports both deep learning and exam readiness.
How to Use These Resources
These topic-based past paper collections are designed to streamline your IGCSE Physics revision. Here’s how to get the most out of them:
1. Focus Your Revision
Start with the topics you find most challenging. Practising similar types of questions together helps reinforce key concepts and reveals common question patterns that appear year after year.
2. Work Through Questions Chronologically
Within each topic, questions are arranged by year. This allows you to track how question styles and expectations may have changed over time and ensures a complete understanding of the topic.
3. Use in Tandem with Your Class Notes
As you work through each set of questions, refer back to your textbook or class notes to clarify any uncertainties. This dual approach strengthens both knowledge and application.
4. Time Yourself
Practise answering questions under timed conditions to improve your exam technique and get a realistic sense of how much time to allocate per question.
5. Repeat for Mastery
Revisit the same topic after a few days or weeks to reinforce what you’ve learned. Repetition strengthens recall and builds confidence ahead of the exam.
By using these topic-focused past papers as part of a structured study plan, you’ll build a deeper understanding of the IGCSE Physics syllabus and improve your performance in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Final Tips for Exam Success
Success in IGCSE Physics comes from consistent practice, targeted revision, and understanding the way questions are structured. Here are some final tips to help you feel fully prepared:
1. Revise Actively
Passive reading won’t be enough. Use these past paper questions to test yourself regularly. Practise writing full answers, draw diagrams where needed, and explain concepts aloud as if teaching someone else.
2. Strengthen Weak Areas
Use topic-based past papers to identify the areas where you lose the most marks. Prioritise those in your study sessions to build up confidence and close any gaps in understanding.
3. Understand the Command Words
Words like describe, explain, calculate, or compare each expect different types of responses. Learn what examiners are looking for in each case and tailor your answers accordingly.
4. Stay Organised and Positive
Create a revision timetable and stick to it. Space out your study sessions and include breaks to avoid burnout. Confidence grows with preparation—trust the work you’ve put in.
5. Use Exam Conditions When Practising
Simulate real exam conditions during your revision by limiting time, working in silence, and avoiding distractions. This will help reduce anxiety and improve your focus when it matters most.
By focusing your preparation with topic-specific practice and applying these revision strategies, you’ll be in a strong position to succeed. Good luck in your exams—your hard work will pay off.
