IGCSE · 26 September 2026 · 6 min read
Cambridge Physics 0625 vs 0972: grades, resources and entry checks
Two course codes can make students think they need two completely separate sets of Physics notes. For Cambridge 0625 and 0972, the important differences are the grading and entry details, while much of the learning preparation can be shared. The challenge is knowing which parts of your revision record can transfer and which cannot.
This guide is for Cambridge IGCSE Physics, not Edexcel's separate 9–1 qualification. The same grading scale does not make two boards' syllabuses or paper structures identical. Start by reading the full qualification name on your school documents.
Use the code to identify the grading system
The 0625 route reports grades A*–G, while 0972 uses 9–1. Cambridge's official 0972 page states that the syllabus is otherwise the same as 0625 and recommends relevant 0625 resources. This is useful when a teacher sets a 0625 topic question for a class entered for 0972.
Keep the code attached to every grade discussion. Saying I need an A* and then checking a 0972 threshold table mixes two reporting systems. If your school uses approximate comparisons in conversation, ask which actual result the next institution requires. An informal equivalence is not a licence to relabel an examination result.
Keep Core and Extended separate from the grade scale
Core or Extended determines the content and assessment route; A*–G or 9–1 determines how the result is reported. These are related entry choices, but they are not the same decision. A 9–1 code does not automatically mean every student studies Extended content or can access every grade through a Core entry.
Ask your teacher which route your class follows and which paper combination appears on your entry. When choosing practice questions, distinguish Core objectives from Supplement material. Students preparing for Extended need both. If your target requires a different entry route, discuss the teaching and entry implications early rather than relying on a calculator's predicted grade.
Do not transfer grade thresholds between qualifications
Use the published thresholds for the correct code, series and option when reviewing a completed practice assessment. A raw mark is meaningful only with its assessment context. Comparing a single paper's percentage with a different qualification's final grade threshold can give a misleading impression of progress.
For example, a student who scores well on one theory paper has evidence about that paper, not a complete qualification result. Keep multiple choice and practical skills in the picture. Record topic and skill errors alongside the mark so your next revision decision remains useful even when you are not calculating a grade estimate.
Verify availability before planning a switch
Cambridge notes that 0972 availability is restricted by administrative zone. Entry options therefore need confirmation from your centre; the fact that a resource is available online does not mean every centre can offer that route. Ask about the intended series, code, tier and practical option together.
Cambridge also warns that switching grading scales is not possible after the relevant entries deadline. Do not postpone a grading-scale decision because the teaching content looks similar. Your exams officer can confirm the current local deadline and amendment process. Keep a written record of the final entry rather than relying on a classroom conversation.
Build one learning plan and one accurate entry record
Use one Physics learning plan organised by concepts and skills, with separate notes for your actual assessment requirements. A useful folder structure is current specification, selected notes, topic practice, matched papers and mark schemes, then an error log. Add the code and series to every whole-paper result.
If a student asks whether they should abandon all their 0625 notes after moving to 0972, the first action is an audit, not a restart. Confirm the year and scope, keep matching explanations, replace unsuitable assessment guidance and check the new entry. That preserves good learning while removing administrative and grading confusion.
Questions, explained
Choose a question for a direct answer, then explore the explanation and supporting resources. Each answer has its own link to save or share.
Are Cambridge Physics 0625 and 0972 the same syllabus?
Cambridge describes 0972 as the 9–1 graded version of 0625 and otherwise the same. Relevant learning resources can be shared, but you should still use the syllabus for your examination year and confirm the entry route with your centre.
Can 0972 students practise with 0625 past papers?
Cambridge points 0972 students and teachers to additional 0625 resources. Use suitable papers after checking year, content and assessment type. Keep the original paper code and matching mark scheme in your record, and use your own qualification's thresholds when discussing grades.
Is a grade 9 exactly the same as an A* in Physics?
Do not treat the two scales as a one-to-one raw-mark conversion. Check the requirement stated by your school or next institution, and consult the official thresholds for the actual qualification and series. Report the grade you receive on its own scale.
Can I switch from 0625 to 0972 after entering?
Ask your centre before the relevant entry deadline. Availability, administrative zone and amendment rules matter, and Cambridge warns that grading-scale changes cannot be made after the deadline. Similar teaching content does not remove the need for a valid entry change.
Is Cambridge 0972 the same as Edexcel IGCSE Physics?
No. Both can use 9–1 grading, but they are different awarding bodies and specifications. Their assessment structures and resource requirements must be checked separately. A shared grading scale does not make their paper numbers interchangeable.