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100+ Free IGCSE Combined Science Practice Questions

Pass your Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Which polymer is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene?

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Key Facts: IGCSE Combined Science Exam

A*-G

Grading scale (Extended)

Cambridge International

3 papers

Multiple choice + theory + practical or ATP

Cambridge 0653 syllabus 2025-2027

160 marks

Total across the three papers

Cambridge 0653 syllabus

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Cambridge IGCSE 0653 Combined Science is a single-award covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics in one grade. Core candidates take Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6 (C-G); Extended candidates take Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 6 (A*-G). Current syllabus runs 2025-2027.

Sample IGCSE Combined Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your IGCSE Combined Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following structures is found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells?
A.Cell membrane
B.Nucleus
C.Mitochondrion
D.Cell wall
Explanation: Plant cells have a rigid cellulose cell wall outside the cell membrane, which provides support and prevents bursting. Animal cells only have a cell membrane. Nucleus, cell membrane and mitochondria are found in both.
2What does the 'G' in the MRS GREN mnemonic for the seven life processes stand for?
A.Germination
B.Genetics
C.Growth
D.Gas exchange
Explanation: MRS GREN lists the seven characteristics of living organisms: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition. The 'G' stands for Growth — a permanent increase in size and dry mass.
3Which kingdom contains organisms that are multicellular, have cell walls made of chitin, and feed by absorbing nutrients?
A.Plants
B.Prokaryotes
C.Animals
D.Fungi
Explanation: Fungi are multicellular (except yeast), have cell walls made of chitin, and absorb nutrients by extracellular digestion (saprotrophic nutrition). Plants have cellulose walls and photosynthesise; animals lack cell walls.
4A dichotomous key is best described as a tool that:
A.lists all known species in a kingdom
B.shows the evolutionary history of a species
C.uses pairs of contrasting statements to identify organisms
D.measures genetic similarity between organisms
Explanation: A dichotomous key uses a series of paired (di = two) contrasting statements; at each step the user chooses the statement that fits the unknown organism, leading eventually to its identity. It is used in fieldwork to identify specimens.
5Diffusion is best described as the net movement of particles:
A.from low concentration to high concentration using energy
B.of water across a partially permeable membrane only
C.only of gases in the lungs
D.from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
Explanation: Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, down a concentration gradient. It is a passive process that does not require energy from ATP.
6A plant cell is placed in a strong sugar solution. What is most likely to happen?
A.Water enters the cell and it bursts
B.Sugar enters the cell by diffusion only
C.The cell stays the same size
D.Water leaves the cell by osmosis and the cell becomes plasmolysed
Explanation: The sugar solution has a lower water potential than the cell sap, so water leaves the vacuole by osmosis. The cytoplasm shrinks away from the cell wall — this is called plasmolysis. Plant cells do not burst because of the rigid cell wall.
7Active transport differs from diffusion because active transport:
A.occurs only in plant cells
B.is always faster than diffusion
C.moves substances against a concentration gradient using energy from respiration
D.does not require a membrane
Explanation: Active transport moves substances from a lower concentration to a higher concentration (against the gradient) using ATP energy from respiration and protein pumps. Root hair cells use this to absorb mineral ions from dilute soil water.
8Which is the correct word equation for photosynthesis?
A.glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
B.oxygen + water -> carbon dioxide + glucose
C.carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
D.glucose -> lactic acid
Explanation: Photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide and water and uses light energy (absorbed by chlorophyll) to produce glucose and oxygen. The balanced symbol equation is 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.
9Which food group is the body's main long-term energy store, especially under the skin?
A.Lipids (fats)
B.Vitamins
C.Proteins
D.Minerals
Explanation: Lipids (fats and oils) are the body's main long-term energy store, deposited under the skin as adipose tissue. They also insulate against heat loss. Proteins are used mainly for growth and repair, not energy storage.
10Which enzyme digests starch into maltose, and where is it first secreted?
A.Lipase, in the pancreas
B.Bile, in the liver
C.Amylase, in the mouth (salivary glands)
D.Protease, in the stomach
Explanation: Amylase is the enzyme that breaks starch down into the disaccharide maltose. It is first secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth and again by the pancreas into the small intestine.

About the IGCSE Combined Science Exam

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) is a single-award international upper-secondary qualification covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics in one syllabus. Candidates receive a single grade (A*-G or 9-1) for the combined subject — a slimmed-down version of each of the three sciences. Learners follow either the Core or Extended pathway and take three papers (a multiple-choice paper, a theory paper, and either a practical test or alternative-to-practical paper).

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Paper 1/2: 45 min; Paper 3/4: 1 hr 15 min; Paper 5: 1 hr 15 min or Paper 6: 1 hr

Passing Score

Core route eligible for C-G; Extended route eligible for A*-G (single grade awarded)

Exam Fee

£60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre) (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))

IGCSE Combined Science Exam Content Outline

~11%

Biology: Cells, organisms and movement in/out of cells

Animal vs plant cells, organelles, MRS GREN, five-kingdom classification, dichotomous keys, diffusion, osmosis, active transport

~11%

Biology: Nutrition, transport and respiration

Photosynthesis, balanced diet, digestive enzymes, xylem and phloem, double circulation, heart structure, alveoli, aerobic vs anaerobic respiration

~11%

Biology: Coordination, reproduction, inheritance and ecology

Reflex arc, eye, hormones (insulin, adrenaline), mitosis vs meiosis, Punnett squares, dominant vs recessive, food chains, carbon cycle, environmental issues

~11%

Chemistry: States of matter, atoms and stoichiometry

Kinetic theory, changes of state, atomic structure, isotopes, periodic table groups and periods, ionic vs covalent bonding, Mr and the mole

~11%

Chemistry: Electrolysis, energetics, acids and salts

Electrolysis of molten and aqueous compounds, exothermic vs endothermic, energy level diagrams, pH scale, neutralisation, salt preparation, tests for ions

~11%

Chemistry: Reactivity, organic, air and water

Reactivity series, displacement, metal extraction, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, fractional distillation, addition polymers, composition of air, water treatment

~11%

Physics: Motion, forces and energy

Speed, velocity, acceleration, distance-time and speed-time graphs, Hooke's law, F=ma, work, KE and GPE, power, pressure

~12%

Physics: Thermal, waves, light and sound

Kinetic model of gases, expansion, conduction, convection, radiation, specific heat, wave equation v=f lambda, reflection, refraction, EM spectrum, audible range 20-20000 Hz

~11%

Physics: Electricity, atomic, nuclear and space

Current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, household electricity, electromagnets, motor effect, transformer, alpha/beta/gamma radiation, half-life, solar system, star life cycle

How to Pass the IGCSE Combined Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Core route eligible for C-G; Extended route eligible for A*-G (single grade awarded)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Paper 1/2: 45 min; Paper 3/4: 1 hr 15 min; Paper 5: 1 hr 15 min or Paper 6: 1 hr
  • Exam fee: £60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IGCSE Combined Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Combined Science (0653) is slimmer than the single-subject 0610/0620/0625 syllabuses — focus revision on the Core 0653 specification and skip Extended-only single-subject topics
2Memorise the three core equations: speed = distance/time, density = mass/volume, V = IR — they appear on every Physics multiple-choice paper
3Learn the photosynthesis and aerobic respiration word and balanced equations in both directions — both Biology and Chemistry papers test these
4Practise the reactivity series mnemonic (K Na Ca Mg Al C Zn Fe H Cu Ag Au) and the colour changes for cation and anion tests — Chemistry recall questions reuse them every year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IGCSE Combined Science and Co-ordinated Sciences?

Combined Science (0653) is a single-award qualification — one grade covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) is a double-award — two identical grades. Combined Science covers slightly less content per subject and is intended for learners who need a single science grade.

How is Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 assessed?

All candidates take three papers. The multiple-choice paper is 45 minutes (40 marks), the theory paper is 1 hour 15 minutes (80 marks), and learners take either Paper 5 Practical Test (1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks) or Paper 6 Alternative to Practical (1 hour, 40 marks).

What is the difference between Core and Extended in IGCSE Combined Science?

Core candidates take Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6, are limited to grades C-G, and study only Core content. Extended candidates take Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 6, study Core plus Supplement content, and are eligible for grades A*-G.

Is the 2026 Combined Science syllabus different from previous years?

The current 2025-2027 syllabus is similar to previous versions but Papers 5 and 6 now include a compulsory Planning question worth 6-7 marks where candidates design an experiment. Past papers from 2023-2024 remain useful for theory practice.