How Long Do I Need to Study for IGCSE?
The standard route is a two-year course (Years 10–11). A one-year fast-track or self-study works if you’re organised and disciplined with past papers.
Weekly hour targets
- Two-year: 1–1.5 hrs/subject/week in term → 2–3 hrs near assessments → 4–6 hrs/subject/week for the final 10–12 weeks.
- One-year: Start at 2–3 hrs/subject/week; ramp to 4–6 hrs; prioritise exam technique early.
- Self-study: Similar to 1-year + set unit deadlines and book external mock marking.
Sample study week
- Mon–Thu: Two 25–5 focus blocks/night (rotate subjects).
- Fri: Light review + plan next week.
- Sat: 1 timed paper or two timed sections.
- Sun: Error log + flashcards + rest.
The 12-week exam sprint
- Weeks 1–4: Patch content gaps with topic checklists and mini-quizzes.
- Weeks 5–8: Timed past papers; self-mark with mark schemes; build an error log.
- Weeks 9–12: Full exam simulations; focus on speed, command words, and neat working.
Subject-specific tactics
- Maths/Sciences: Daily 10–15 problems; show method; units and sig figs matter.
- Humanities: Plan essays (thesis–evidence–evaluation); 1 timed essay/week.
- Languages: Read/listen daily; speak weekly; recycle vocabulary.
Tracking progress (don’t guess—measure)
- Keep a marks tracker per paper and per topic.
- Use a traffic-light topic list: red (drill), amber (maintain), green (top-up).
Burnout prevention
- Sleep 7–9 hours, rotate subjects, schedule rest days.
- Use 25–5 blocks; treat energy like a resource to manage.
Parent support that actually helps
- Agree on 2–3 non-negotiable slots per week.
- Ask for the error log once a week—coach the process, not just the result.
How Tutopiya turns hours into results
- Route-specific planners: 2-year / 1-year / self-study calendars with weekly hour targets and built-in rest.
- 12-week sprint execution: We run the diagnose → drill → simulate cycle and provide marked past papers.
- Accountability without burnout: Short, actionable homework aligned to the mark scheme.
- Parent dashboards: Topic progress, recent paper scores, and “next three actions”.
Tutopiya vs other options
| Option | Route Planner | Past Paper Marking | Weekly Accountability | Stress Guardrails | Parent Dashboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutopiya | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Local centre | ◻️ | ◻️ | ◻️ group-level | ◻️ | ◻️ |
| Marketplace tutor | ◻️ varies | ◻️ | ✅/◻️ | ◻️ | ◻️ |
| Self-study | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
FAQs
1. How long is the IGCSE course?
Usually two years (Years 10–11). One-year routes are possible.
2. How many hours per week?
Two-year route: ~1–1.5 hrs/subject during term → 4–6 hrs/subject in the final 10–12 weeks.
3. What if I’m behind?
Run a 12-week sprint: diagnose gaps, drill papers, simulate full exams, track marks.
4. Can I self-study successfully?
Yes—with a clear plan, reliable resources, and external marking for feedback.
5. Best schedule for working students?
Short daily blocks (25–5) + one weekend paper; protect sleep.
6. When should revision start?
Light past-paper work 10–12 weeks before exams; earlier for weaker topics.
Turn hours into results
Use our sprint framework, targeted drills and expert marking to maximise learning per hour.