Cambridge IGCSE

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620

What are Grade Descriptions? How do I use this resource?

Grade descriptions describe the level of performance typically demonstrated by Grade descriptions are presented as a grid, with content areas at
candidates achieving the different grades awarded for a qualification. For Cambridge the start of each row and the different grades at the top of each
IGCSEs, they describe performance at three levels – grades ‘F’, ‘C’ and ‘A’. column.
Grade descriptions sit alongside other key documents that illustrate examination The content areas group together various aspects of the syllabus
standards, including: – they reflect topics, assessment objectives, key concepts,
• the syllabus, which presents what students should be taught over a course of study syllabus aims and/or components. The way they are organised is
and explains how this is assessed specific to each subject.
• the specimen assessment materials, which illustrate the structure of the assessment For each content area there is a descriptor for each grade.
and the kinds of tasks that candidates complete Reading across the row from left to right, the descriptors
• grade thresholds, which show the total mark required to achieve a grade. represent increasing levels of performance, with each grade
Grade descriptions are produced with a wide range of audiences in mind. For teachers, descriptor building on, and including, the last.
they support lesson planning and curriculum development, while students may gain useful Each column represents overall performance at a particular
insights into what is required to achieve a high grade and what candidate performance at grade. Reading down the column from top to bottom, the
lower grades typically looks like. For university admissions staff and employers, and those descriptors capture the range of knowledge, understanding and
less familiar with Cambridge, they paint a picture of typical performance at different skills that a candidate ‘comfortably inside the grade’ is likely to
grades. demonstrate.
Cambridge publishes grade descriptions for a qualification once examinations have taken Cambridge produces grade descriptions to support teaching and
place for the first time and we review them when a qualification is substantially revised. learning and the interpretation of candidate scores and grades.
They are developed by highly experienced examiners who understand performance We do not use them to set grade thresholds. As such, they
standards in the subject area and have studied samples of candidate work. cannot be used to challenge the grade awarded to any individual
candidate.

Version 1, published September 2023

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 1
Grade Descriptions

Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance

understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A

Atomic structure, the Students describe solids, liquids and gases. Students apply a particle model to describe Students interpret data to identify changes in
Periodic Table and This could be through the use of diagrams, and explain physical changes. These changes state, which could include heating and cooling
bonding descriptions of physical properties and the could include changes in state, dissolving, curves. They may be able to apply kinetic
names for changes of state. precipitation and diffusion. particle theory to describe and explain how
temperature and pressure affect the volume of
a gas.

Students recall properties and the location of Students use nuclide notation. This could Students use nuclide notation, relative masses
particles within an atom. This includes the include the determination of the number of and the abundance of each isotope to
relative mass and the relative charge for each particle within an atom or ion. They may determine relative atomic mass. This may
protons, neutrons and electrons. be able to give the electronic configuration for include the reverse calculation to determine
an atom or ion. an abundance or mass of an isotope.

Students describe ionic and covalent bonding Students draw dot-and-cross diagrams without Students predict the physical properties of
and draw dot-and-cross diagrams when support. They may be able to predict the more complex compounds, given additional
provided with support. They identify and general physical properties for unfamiliar information or support. They may be able to
describe some physical properties of ionic and compounds, given information about their describe metallic bonding and explain typical
covalent substances. This could include the bonding. They may be able to identify and physical properties of metals using a simple
structures of diamond and graphite. describe the properties of silicon (IV) oxide model.
and its similarity to diamond.

Periodicity and metals Students describe the layout of the Periodic Students describe the relationship between Students make predictions about elements
Table. This could be in terms of groups and the number of outer-shell electrons and the based on their position in the Periodic Table,
periods and the trend of decreasing metallic charge of ions formed from elements of each given additional information.
character across a period. group.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 2
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
Students describe the extraction of iron from Students describe the extraction of iron from Students recall symbol equations for the
its ore. This may include identifying the its ore in the blast furnace. This could include reactions involved in the extraction of iron
common ore of iron or giving an outline of the using word equations and describing the roles from its ore. They may be able to describe the
extraction process. of carbon and limestone in the extraction. extraction of aluminium from bauxite, including
ionic half equations for each electrode.

Students list typical physical properties of Students describe the reactions of metals with Students use the reactivity series of metals to
metals and uses for some metals or alloys. acids, water or oxygen. This may include the make predictions about chemical reactions.
They may be able to identify the reactivity of conditions required for the rusting of iron and This may include describing and explaining
metals from experimental results. barrier methods to prevent rusting. how sacrificial corrosion is used to prevent
rusting and the displacement/redox reactions
of metals and the aqueous ions of other
metals.

Students describe properties of Group I and Students describe the trend in chemical and Students make predictions about other
Group VII elements. This could include their physical properties of Group I elements. This elements from Groups I and VII and elements
physical appearance or observations of the may include predicting and writing word from other groups, given suitable information.
reactions between Group I elements and equations for the reactions between halogens This may include predictions about the
water. and aqueous halide ions. structure and bonding of their compounds, or
the chemical reactivity or physical properties
of the element.

Students identify the location of Group VIII Students recall the typical properties of Students link the variable oxidation states of
elements and the transition elements in the transition elements, including their variable transition elements with the redox topic. This
Periodic Table. They may be able to describe oxidation numbers. They may also explain may include electron transfer to form different
the general physical and chemical properties why Group VIII elements are unreactive. ions and use of the terms described in redox
of these elements. chemistry.

Physical chemistry and Students write the chemical formulae of Students give the formulae for unfamiliar Students complete both word and symbol
stoichiometry elements and simple compounds. They may compounds when given information. They equations for the reactions in the syllabus,
be able to complete word and symbol may be able to write and complete word and including the reactions of organic compounds.
They may be able to construct equations for

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 3
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
equations which are partially complete and symbol equations for the reactions described unfamiliar reactions, given additional
can recognise and use state symbols. in the syllabus. information.

Students determine the relative mass for Students answer questions using the mole Students define empirical formulae and
simple compounds and may be able to use concept when some support is provided. This complete calculations to determine empirical
this to calculate the mass of product by simple may include use of mass, molar mass, molar and molecular formulae. They may be able to
proportion methods. gas volumes and the volume and answer open-ended quantitative questions
concentration of aqueous solutions. using the mole concept.

Students identify reversible reactions. They Students understand that some reactions can Students apply Le Chatelier’s principle reliably
may be able to describe the use of anhydrous form equilibria. They may be able to make to unfamiliar reactions. They may be able to
salts to identify the presence of water. some predictions about how the position of describe the relationship between yield, rate,
equilibrium changes when conditions are safety and economics in determining optimum
changed. They may be able to describe typical reaction conditions for industrial processes.
operating conditions for some industrial
processes.

Students define and use the terms associated Students predict the electrode products at Students write ionic half-equations for the
with electrolysis. They may be able to predict both electrodes for the electrolysis of molten processes at one or both of the electrodes in
an observation at the anode or cathode for the binary compounds and for aqueous solutions the electrolysis of a molten binary compound
electrolysis of simple molten binary stated in the syllabus. or of an aqueous solution of a salt.
compounds.

Students describe endothermic and Students draw and interpret reaction pathway Students draw and interpret a reaction
exothermic reactions in terms of the transfer of diagrams which show reactants and products. pathway diagram showing overall enthalpy
thermal energy and the change in temperature change and the activation energy for the
of the surroundings. reaction. They may be able to calculate
enthalpy changes using bond energy data.

Students predict the effect of changing Students interpret data, including graphs, from Students explain changes to reaction rate in
reaction conditions on the rate of reaction. rate-of-reaction experiments. terms of the frequency of particle collisions
and the energy of the colliding particles.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 4
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A

Acids, bases and salts, Students recall general descriptions of acids Students recall the ions present in alkaline Students describe acids and bases in terms of
and redox and bases. This includes the names and and acidic solutions and the general equation proton transfer and can identify unfamiliar
formulae of some acids and bases and the for a neutralisation reaction. They may be able acids and bases from equations. They may be
use of indicators. They may be able to use the to use universal indicator and the pH scale to able to describe the differences between
pH scale to measure the relative acidity or compare the hydrogen ion concentrations of strong and weak acids in terms of
alkalinity of an aqueous solution. aqueous solutions. dissociation, pH and reactivity.

Students describe redox reactions in terms of Students identify redox reactions in terms of Students identify redox reactions in terms of
oxygen gain or loss. They may be able to oxygen gain or loss in unfamiliar reactions. electron movement. They may be able to
apply this idea to the use of a hydrogen– They may be able to describe the advantages assign oxidation numbers to elements in
oxygen fuel cell to produce electricity and and disadvantages of using a hydrogen– compounds and in their uncombined state.
water. oxygen fuel cell compared to an internal More able students will be able to apply and
combustion engine. use the terms ‘oxidising agent’ and ‘reducing
agent’.

Organic chemistry Students name and draw compounds up to Students recall the general formulae for the Students name and draw compounds up to
two carbons for the homologous series listed homologous series listed in the syllabus. four carbons for the homologous series listed
in the syllabus. in the syllabus. This may include structural
isomers.

Students describe the reactions of alkanes Students write equations for the substitution Students describe the photochemical reaction
and alkenes, including complete and reactions of alkanes, the addition reactions of of alkanes and recall the conditions and
incomplete combustion and the addition of alkenes and the combustion reactions of both products of the addition reactions of alkenes.
(aqueous) bromine. alkanes and alkenes.

Students describe how ethanol is formed by Students recall the reaction conditions for the Students describe the advantages and
the addition of steam to ethene or by formation of ethanol by addition or by disadvantages of forming ethanol by addition
fermentation. They may be able to describe fermentation. They may be able to write or by fermentation. They may be able to write
the general properties of ethanoic acid. equations for the reactions of carboxylic acids equations for the reactions of carboxylic acids,
and to name the carboxylate product. including esterification.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 5
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
Students know that many monomers combine Students identify the monomer and repeat unit Students identify the monomer(s) and repeat
to make a polymer and that it is difficult to for a given addition polymer and may be able units for both addition and condensation
dispose of some polymers. They may be able to recall the structures of polymers listed in the polymers. They may be able to describe the
to describe pollution problems caused by syllabus. difference between man-made polyamides
waste plastics. and proteins.

Students name some fractions of petroleum Students understand how fractions of Students link physical properties of petroleum
and their uses. petroleum are separated and can name and fractions to the structure and bonding topics to
describe a use for each fraction. explain why different fractions are separated
at each level in the fractionating column.

Environmental chemistry Students describe how water is treated to Students recall some beneficial or polluting Students have good recall and understanding
make it suitable for drinking. They may be substances found in water from natural of the source and nature of some water
able to describe how impurities affect the sources and how they affect the environment. pollutants. They can describe how water is
melting point and the boiling point of water. purified for drinking.

Students describe the composition of the air Students describe strategies to reduce Students describe how methane and carbon
and the source and effects of some air environmental pollution. dioxide cause global warming. They may be
pollutants. able to explain, with equations, how a catalytic
converter removes polluting gases.

Experimental skills and Students understand key terms such as Students make or predict observations for Students use the results of qualitative analysis
analysis solvent, solute, residue and filtrate and can some gas tests or simple test-tube reactions to identify an ‘unknown’ substance. They may
identify suitable methods to separate mixtures. on aqueous ions, using suitable terminology. be able to use and interpret Rf values and
They may be able to interpret simple understand the role of locating agents.
chromatograms.

Students follow a provided practical method Students make quantitative conclusions from Students make conclusions from experimental
and make qualitative observations. They may rate experiment or titration data. data, identify errors or uncertainties and
be able to read analogue and digital scales to suggest improvements to the methods. They

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 6
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
make quantitative measurements and to plot may be able to evaluate practical methods for
appropriate graphs of their data. investigating the rate of reaction.

Students identify suitable apparatus for an Students identify suitable apparatus for an Students construct a detailed practical plan for
experimental investigation. They may be able experimental investigation and can outline a an experimental investigation which includes
to recall some solubility rules and, with workable method. They may be able to recall quantities and control of variables. They may
support, suggest methods of preparing soluble all the solubility rules and describe how to be able to apply the solubility rules to form
salts. extract soluble salts from an aqueous solution precipitates and describe how salts can be
to produce crystals. extracted from the reaction mixture.

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Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 for examination 2023-2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023 7