Question 1

How long does it take to memorise the IGCSE Physics vocabulary?

Accepted Answer

Vocabulary load varies from student to student, but Cambridge IGCSE Physics (Extended) covers six topic areas across both Core and Supplement content, so there is a meaningful set of definitions, equations, and scientific terms to build up over the course.

The good news is that spaced retrieval makes this far more manageable than trying to cram everything at once. Working through our flashcards in short, regular sessions, topic by topic, means most students find they have a solid grasp of the key vocabulary well before their exams rather than scrambling at the end. We'd suggest starting early, revisiting cards you find tricky a little more often, and using our by-topic view to track which areas still need attention.

Question 2

How many flashcards should I do a day?

Accepted Answer

For Cambridge IGCSE Physics Extended, we'd suggest aiming for around 20–30 flashcards a day as a steady baseline, building that up in the final weeks before your exam series. Spaced retrieval works best when it's consistent, so returning to cards you found difficult is more valuable than simply running through ones you already know well. Our flashcards cover all six topic areas from the spec (Motion, forces and energy; Thermal physics; Waves; Electricity and magnetism; Nuclear physics; Space physics), so you can rotate through them systematically and spend more time on whichever areas feel shakiest.

Question 3

Should I make my own Physics flashcards or use Cognito's?

Accepted Answer

Both approaches have genuine value, and the good news is you don't have to choose just one. Our flashcards are built around the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Extended syllabus, covering both Core and Supplement content across all six topics, so they're a reliable starting point if you want to get revising straight away without spending time building from scratch.

Making your own cards works well as a first pass through a new topic, since the act of deciding what to write forces you to engage with the material at a deeper level. We'd suggest combining both: using our flashcards to test yourself with spaced retrieval across the whole spec, and adding your own cards for any Supplement concepts or equations you personally find tricky.

The blurt technique pairs nicely with this approach: close your notes, write down everything you can recall about a topic, then check your gaps against our flashcards to see exactly where to focus next. For Extended candidates, the Supplement content adds real depth on top of the Core, so having reliable cards that cover those points thoroughly gives you a genuine advantage.

Question 4

Which Cambridge International (CIE / Cambridge Assessment International Education) Physics topics are flashcards best for?

Accepted Answer

Flashcards work well right across all six topics in Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 (Motion, forces and energy; Thermal physics; Waves; Electricity and magnetism; Nuclear physics; and Space physics), but they're most powerful where the spec asks you to recall definitions, named items and equations. That matters because AO1 Knowledge with understanding carries 50% of your marks, so solid recall pays off significantly.

Nuclear physics is particularly rich flashcard territory, with definitions like half-life, proton number and nucleon number, plus the properties of alpha, beta and gamma emissions all needing to be secure. The Waves topic rewards flashcard work too, especially the electromagnetic spectrum section, where you need the regions in order alongside their uses and harmful effects. Space physics is another strong candidate, with planet order, stages of the star life cycle and key Universe facts all benefitting from regular retrieval practice.

Our flashcards cover the full Extended content (Core plus Supplement), and our by-topic view lets you jump straight to whichever section you're working through.

Question 5

Why do I keep forgetting IGCSE Physics vocabulary?

Accepted Answer

Forgetting vocabulary is really common in IGCSE Physics because passive revision (reading over definitions) doesn't create strong memory traces. Our flashcards are built around spaced retrieval, which means you test yourself on terms at increasing intervals rather than just re-reading them.

Each time you struggle to retrieve a term like "electromotive force" or "refractive index" and then see the answer, your brain strengthens that connection far more than passive reading would. We'd suggest working through our flashcards topic by topic, from Motion, forces and energy through to Space physics, so the vocabulary builds in context rather than as a disconnected list.