IGCSE Physics marks to grade 2026: How raw scores convert to final grades
IGCSE Physics marks are converted into final grades through a weighted scoring system rather than by simply adding raw marks together. Cambridge applies different weightings to each exam component, combines the results into a total weighted score, and then compares that score with the grade thresholds set for the specific examination session. Because these thresholds change from one series to another, the same raw mark can lead to different grades in different years.
This guide explains how Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 marks are converted to grades and how students can estimate their likely result from past-paper scores.
- How Cambridge converts raw marks to final grades in IGCSE Physics
- What raw mark do you need for each grade in IGCSE Physics Extended?
- What raw mark do you need for each grade in IGCSE Physics Core?
- How marks are combined across all IGCSE Physics papers to determine the final grade
- How to estimate your IGCSE Physics grade from individual past paper scores
- Why the same raw mark can produce different grades in different exam sessions
- Frequently asked questions
How Cambridge converts raw marks to final grades in IGCSE Physics
Cambridge does not simply add up your raw marks from each paper and divide by the total. The conversion process for IGCSE Physics (syllabus 0625) [1] involves two distinct stages: A weighting calculation and a grade threshold comparison.
In the first stage, Cambridge applies a multiplier to each paper’s raw score. This multiplier reflects how much each component contributes to your final grade. The result is a single composite score that sits on a scale of 200 marks.
In the second stage, that composite score is compared against a set of grade boundaries, which Cambridge’s Chief Examiners set after reviewing each examination session. Only at that point is your final letter grade determined.
The uniform mark scale and why it matters
One critical detail often overlooked by students and even some teachers is the role of the uniform mark scale (UMS) in distinguishing between syllabuses. For IGCSE Physics 0625, Cambridge does not use a traditional UMS system in the same way as some A Level qualifications. Instead, it uses a direct weighted raw mark comparison against session-specific grade thresholds.
This means your grade is not calculated against a fixed historical standard. It is calculated relative to how the exam was set in that particular session, which has important implications we will discuss later in this guide.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Physics Past Paper Strategy for 2026: Smart Ways to Practice for Better Exam Results
What raw mark do you need for each grade in IGCSE Physics Extended?
The Extended tier covers Papers 2, 4, and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. Students sitting the Extended tier are eligible for grades A through G, though the realistic competitive range is A to C for most internationally mobile students.
The table below provides estimated grade thresholds for the Extended tier, expressed as weighted scores out of 200. These figures are based on historical Cambridge examiner reports and should be treated as reliable estimates rather than guaranteed boundaries, since Cambridge adjusts thresholds session by session.
| Final Grade | Weighted Score (out of 200) | Approximate Percentage | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 150 and above | 75%+ | Exceptional command of theory and practical reasoning |
| A | 136 to 149 | 68% to 74% | Strong performance with minor technical errors |
| B | 122 to 135 | 61% to 67% | Competent; solid calculation skills with occasional keyword gaps |
| C | 106 to 121 | 53% to 60% | Secure foundational pass; struggles with abstract application |
| D | 90 to 105 | 45% to 52% | Partial understanding; inconsistent across topics |
| E | 75 to 89 | 37% to 44% | Significant gaps; limited structured response quality |
A common mistake we see at Times Edu is students targeting a raw score of, for example, 75% across all papers and assuming that guarantees a solid A. The weighted calculation means that performing well on Paper 4 (Theory) has a disproportionately positive impact on your final score, while underperforming on Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) is more damaging than students typically realise.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Physics Explain Questions : PEE Framework for Full Marks
What raw mark do you need for each grade in IGCSE Physics Core?
The Core tier covers Papers 1, 3, and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. Students on the Core pathway are eligible for grades C through G only, which is a key constraint for students with university ambitions, particularly those applying to competitive programmes abroad.
The estimated thresholds for Core tier students are lower in absolute raw mark terms, but the proportion of the syllabus tested is also narrower. Students should be aware that a strong Core grade does not carry the same signal to admissions offices as a strong Extended grade.
| Final Grade | Weighted Score (out of 200) | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| C | 100 and above | 50%+ |
| D | 80 to 99 | 40% to 49% |
| E | 60 to 79 | 30% to 39% |
| F | 40 to 59 | 20% to 29% |
| G | 20 to 39 | 10% to 19% |
In our experience working with international students who are considering university applications in the UK, US, Australia, or Singapore, selecting the Core tier in Physics is rarely advisable unless a student has serious grade risk at the Extended level. Universities reviewing IGCSE transcripts understand the distinction between tiers, and an Extended B is a far stronger signal than a Core A.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Physics 0625 Mistakes: 10 Errors That Cost A* in 2026
How marks are combined across all IGCSE Physics papers to determine the final grade
This is the section that most students skip, and it is where the most consequential misunderstandings happen. Drawing on years of experience at Times Edu working with IGCSE Physics candidates, we can confirm that the paper weighting formula is the single most important piece of technical knowledge a student can have going into their exam season.
The three components of the Extended tier contribute to the final weighted score as follows:
- Paper 2 (Multiple Choice, 40 marks raw): Contributes 30% of the final grade, with a multiplier of 1.5
- Paper 4 (Theory, 80 marks raw): Contributes 50% of the final grade, with a multiplier of 1.25
- Paper 5 or 6 (Practical, 40 marks raw): Contributes 20% of the final grade, with a multiplier of 1.0
The formula that combines these scores is:
Total Weighted Mark = (Paper 2 Raw x 1.5) + (Paper 4 Raw x 1.25) + (Paper 5/6 Raw x 1.0)
This formula scales 160 total raw marks up to a denominator of 200, which is the scale on which grade thresholds are then applied.
Why Paper 4 deserves the majority of your preparation time
The multiplier structure tells a clear strategic story. Every mark you gain on Paper 4 (Theory) is worth 1.25 weighted marks. Every mark you gain on Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) is worth 1.5 weighted marks. Paper 6 (Practical Alternatives) contributes at face value with a multiplier of 1.0.
This means that a student who scores 35 out of 40 on Paper 2 but only 50 out of 80 on Paper 4 will end up with a significantly lower weighted total than a student who scores 28 out of 40 on Paper 2 but 70 out of 80 on Paper 4. The raw mark difference looks smaller than it actually is once the multipliers are applied.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Physics Study Plan for 2026: A Simple Revision Guide for Better Exam Preparation
How to estimate your IGCSE Physics grade from individual past paper scores
Estimating your grade before the real exam is one of the highest-leverage study activities available to you. Here is a step-by-step method that our consultants at Times Edu use with students during targeted revision sessions.
Step 1: Complete a full set of past papers under timed, exam conditions. Record your raw score for each paper separately.
Step 2: Apply the weighting formula:
Total Weighted Mark = (Paper 2 Raw x 1.5) + (Paper 4 Raw x 1.25) + (Paper 6 Raw x 1.0)
Step 3: Compare your total weighted mark against the grade threshold table provided earlier in this guide.
Step 4: Identify which paper is contributing least to your weighted score relative to its potential. That paper is your highest-priority revision target.
A worked example
Suppose your past paper raw scores are as follows:
- Paper 2 (MCQ): 30 out of 40
- Paper 4 (Theory): 55 out of 80
- Paper 6 (Practical): 32 out of 40
Applying the formula:
- Paper 2 contribution: 30 x 1.5 = 45
- Paper 4 contribution: 55 x 1.25 = 68.75
- Paper 6 contribution: 32 x 1.0 = 32
Total Weighted Mark: 45 + 68.75 + 32 = 145.75 out of 200
Consulting the threshold table, a weighted score of 145.75 falls comfortably within the Grade A band (136 to 149), and is approximately four weighted marks away from the A* boundary. To close that gap, the student would need to gain roughly 3 additional raw marks on Paper 4, which is a very achievable target with focused revision on one or two weak topic areas.
>>> Read more: IGCSE books 2026: The complete guide to choosing the right study materials
Why the same raw mark can produce different grades in different exam sessions
This is a concept that causes significant confusion, particularly among students who compare their predicted grades with friends sitting a different session. One critical detail often overlooked is that Cambridge’s grade boundaries are not fixed across years. They are set fresh after each examination series.
The Chief Examiners review the difficulty of the paper, the distribution of student performance, and statistical benchmarks before deciding where each grade boundary falls. A raw score of 55 out of 80 on Paper 4 might land in the B band in one session and slide into the C band in another, depending on how the cohort performed overall and how the examiners judged the paper’s difficulty.
This is why the thresholds in this guide are described as estimates based on historical patterns rather than guaranteed boundaries. Cambridge publishes the actual grade thresholds for each session in its examiner reports, which are freely available through the Cambridge Assessment International Education website.
What this means for your preparation strategy
Rather than chasing a specific raw mark target, the more reliable strategy is to build a score buffer of at least 10 to 15 weighted marks above the threshold of the grade you want. In our experience working with international students, those who aim precisely at a boundary grade are the ones most vulnerable to session-to-session variation. Those who aim well above the boundary convert their hard work into a reliable outcome regardless of how the paper falls.
>>> Read more: Ultimate IGCSE Physics 0625 Revision Guide
Frequently asked questions
How does Cambridge convert marks to grades in IGCSE Physics?
How many total marks do you need for an A* in IGCSE Physics?
How are marks from all IGCSE Physics papers combined for the final grade?
Why do grade boundaries change between sessions in IGCSE Physics?
Can you estimate your grade from individual paper scores in IGCSE Physics?
What percentage of total marks is typically needed for a B grade in IGCSE Physics?
Where can I find a reliable marks-to-grade converter for IGCSE Physics?
Conclusion
At Times Edu, our academic consultants have helped hundreds of IGCSE Physics students close the gap between their current predicted grade and their target, using exactly the framework outlined in this guide. If you want a personalised academic roadmap that maps your current past paper scores to a realistic path toward your target grade, reach out to our team to book a one-on-one consultation. The difference between an A and an A* is often just a handful of targeted revision hours applied to the right topics.
