Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (0654): syllabus, papers and marking

One 120-mark theory paper across all three sciences, graded as a double award. Calculations marked in stages and the missing scientific term named on every dropped point.

Syllabus for examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 (2028–2029 published, structure unchanged) · June and November series · grades A*A*–GG (Core CC–GG)

Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654: where the marks go

Co-ordinated Sciences 0654 is the double-award course: one 120-mark theory paper (Paper 3 Core or Paper 4 Extended) that mixes biology, chemistry and physics, a 40-question multiple-choice paper, and either a practical test or Paper 6, the written alternative. Marks go on completing every instruction in a question and on the right scientific word.

Our 0654 papers follow the Core and Extended structure. Paper 4 and Paper 6 are marked point by point with the missing term or step named on each lost mark, and the multiple-choice papers are scored at once.

How we mark a real script

Paper structure and what we mark

PaperTimeMarksWeightQuestions
Paper 1 — Multiple Choice (Core)45 min4030%40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Paper 2 — Multiple Choice (Extended)45 min4030%40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Paper 3 — Theory (Core)2 h12050%Short-answer and structured questions across biology, chemistry and physics
Paper 4 — Theory (Extended)2 h12050%Short-answer and structured questions across biology, chemistry and physics
Paper 5 — Practical Test2 h6020%Practical exam (sat at the centre) — or Paper 6
Paper 6 — Alternative to Practical1 h 30 min6020%Written paper on experimental skills — or Paper 5

Syllabus outline

  1. Biology B1–B19: characteristics of living organisms, cells, movement into and out of cells, biological molecules, enzymes, plant and human nutrition, transport, diseases and immunity, gas exchange, respiration, coordination, drugs, reproduction, inheritance, variation, ecosystems
  2. Chemistry C1–C12: states of matter, atoms and compounds, stoichiometry, electrochemistry, energetics, reactions, acids and salts, Periodic Table, metals, environment, organic chemistry, analysis
  3. Physics P1–P6: motion, forces and energy, thermal physics, waves, electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics, space physics
  4. Experimental skills: planning, apparatus, observations, tables and graphs, evaluation

How each paper is marked here

Where Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 candidates lose marks

  1. Not finishing the instruction in the question — A two-mark question needs two separate points; answers that stop after one, or ignore the command word, lose the rest.
  2. Vague wording where the term is required — Answers about “healthcare” or “medicine” for a biology reason, or no mention of increase or decrease for a change in rate.
  3. Formulae written as triangles or with units mixed in — The stage mark needs a recognisable formula; working shown still earns credit for the method.
  4. Practical write-ups with no precision — Lengths in cm instead of mm, magnification not given to the stated significant figures, and graph axes without quantity and unit.
  5. Generic answers about an experiment — “Repeat and average” or “avoid contamination” in place of what is specific to the investigation, plus safety answers that name only two of protection, body part and hazard.

Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 0654

See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.

Questions teachers ask

What is the difference from 0653?
0654 is a double award with a 120-mark, 2-hour theory paper and a 60-mark practical; 0653 is a single grade with an 80-mark theory paper.
Is Core covered?
Yes. Core (Papers 1 and 3) and Extended (Papers 2 and 4) are both listed; candidates also take Paper 5 or 6.
Can it set a topic test?
Yes, by B, C or P section, with the multiple-choice items scored automatically.
Is this official Cambridge marking?
No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 0654. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
No. Every 0654 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 (2028–2029 published, structure unchanged), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
Which papers are marked?
None yet are marked question by question; Paper 1, Paper 2 are scored instantly. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
How is the next paper chosen?
From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
When are the exams?
June and November series. Grades A*A*–GG (Core CC–GG).

Other Cambridge IGCSE courses

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