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  • Cambridge O Level Science - Combined (5129)

Cambridge O Level Science - Combined (5129)

The syllabus develops a set of transferable skills including handling data, practical problem solving and applying the scientific method. Students learn the core principles and concepts that are fundamental to biology, chemistry and physics with a strong focus on practical skills.

The emphasis throughout is on developing an understanding of the science relevant to everyday life, and the associated scientific attitudes such as concern for accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness. Learners develop the scientific knowledge and associated transferrable skills that give a firm foundation for progression to further studies in science or vocational careers.

Cambridge Upper Secondary Science competition

Find out more about our competition for IGCSE students aged 14-16.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2020-2022 Syllabus (PDF, 420KB)
  • 2023 - 2025 Syllabus (PDF, 803KB)
    • 2023-2025 Syllabus update (PDF, 125KB)

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

Syllabus update

Sign up for updates about changes to the syllabuses you teach

  • We revise our qualifications regularly to make sure that they continue to meet the needs of learners, schools and higher education institutions around the world and reflect current thinking. We have updated this syllabus and all assessment materials so they are clearer and more consistent with the separate science syllabuses - Cambridge O Level Biology (5090) Cambridge O Level Chemistry (5070) and Cambridge O Level Physics (5054). This is helpful for teachers who are teaching more than one science syllabus. Please see the 2023-2025 syllabus document for full details on the changes.

    What are the main changes to the syllabus?

    To support teachers and learners, we have:
    • introduced a third assessment objective and written paper assessing experimental skills and investigations
    • updated the learning objectives to demonstrate the depth you should teach each topic, the wording is consistent with Cambridge O Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics
    • updated the topic structure to make sure topics and sub-topics are coherent, and consistent across this syllabus and the separate Cambridge O Level science syllabuses
    • removed and added topics; making sure that the teaching time is still within the guided learning hours.

    What are the main changes to the assessment?

    • We have reduced the number of marks and paper duration in Paper 2.
    • Paper 3 is a new written paper assessing experimental skills and investigation and includes a planning question.

    When do these changes take place?

    The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2023 onwards. Please see the 2023–2025 syllabus above for full details.

    Support

    We are developing a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the updated syllabus. These resources will be available from June 2021 onwards before first teaching through our School Support Hub and include:

    • Scheme of work
    • Learner guide
    • Teacher guide
    • Specimen Paper Answers
    • Example Candidate Responses (after first examination).

    Training

    Face-to-face and online training will be available. For up-to-date information, visit our Events and training calendar.

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