IGCSE Physics Tutoring in the UAE — Cambridge 0625 and Edexcel 4PH1
Physics is the subject where a student can understand every concept in the textbook and still lose a third of the available marks. The reason is almost always the same: marks in Physics are awarded for the equation, the substitution, and the unit — not for knowing the answer. A student who writes the right number without the working is leaving marks on the table in every single paper.
That is a teachable skill, and it is separate from understanding physics.
The two specifications, and why the difference matters
Cambridge 0625 — theory plus a practical component:
| Tier | Theory papers | Practical component |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Paper 1 (multiple choice) + Paper 3 (theory) | Paper 5 or Paper 6 |
| Extended | Paper 2 (multiple choice) + Paper 4 (theory) | Paper 5 or Paper 6 |
Paper 5 is a hands-on practical test and Paper 6 is the alternative to practical — each 1 hour, 40 marks. Which one a student sits is decided by the school, and it changes how they should prepare. The structure is unchanged for the 2025 and 2026 series.
Edexcel 4PH1 — two written papers and no separate practical paper:
- Paper 1 — 2 hours, 110 marks, about 61% of the qualification
- Paper 2 — 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, about 39%, covering the full specification including the additional content Paper 1 does not examine
There are no Foundation or Higher tiers. The consequence for practical work: a 4PH1 student's practical skills are examined through questions inside both written papers, mixed in with everything else. There is no separate component to revise for, which is exactly why it gets neglected.
Where marks are actually lost
- Electricity and waves. Two topics where students commonly lose marks — often not because they are hardest, but because the formula relationships (V=IR, P=IV, E=Pt, v=fλ) get memorised as symbols rather than understood as relationships — so any rearranged question breaks them.
- The practical component. Planning, data handling, drawing valid conclusions, identifying sources of error. It is a distinct skill set that classroom teaching often runs out of time to cover properly.
- Units and substitution. Marks are awarded for stating the equation and substituting correctly. Students who jump to the answer forfeit those marks even when the answer is right.
How it works
- Free diagnostic — on the student's specification and tier.
- Gap report — topic by topic, with the practical component assessed separately.
- Weekly one-to-one sessions.
- Structured past-paper practice, including dedicated work on the practical or alternative-to-practical component.
Pricing
12 sessions — 899 AED (74.9 AED per session).
Why Elmadrasah.com
- We treat the practical component as a subject in its own right, because it is examined as one.
- Since 2017, 50,000+ students, six Gulf countries.
- Dubai-based, AED pricing, UAE contact number.
- Written progress reports to parents.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child sit Paper 5 or Paper 6?
The school decides. Paper 5 is a hands-on practical test; Paper 6 is the written alternative. Both are 1 hour and 40 marks, but they are prepared for differently — so it is worth asking the school.
My child's school follows Edexcel. Is there a practical exam?
Not as a separate paper. With 4PH1, practical skills are assessed through questions in both written papers, alongside other content. This often catches families out.
Can you teach Physics without a laboratory?
For the alternative-to-practical component, yes — it tests planning, data analysis and evaluation in writing, which is exactly what we drill. For the hands-on practical test we prepare technique and expected procedure, but the school provides the lab.
My child understands the concepts but the grades are low. Why?
Most often, marks lost on method and units rather than on understanding. The diagnostic separates those two causes, which matters — they need completely different fixes.
Can we combine Physics with Maths sessions?
Yes. The same package covers more than one subject. We will tell you which to prioritise after the assessment.
Online or in person?
Online, live, one-to-one.
Get started
Book a free IGCSE Physics assessment — message us on WhatsApp at +971 56 660 8336.
