'He knows the chemistry, so why does he lose marks on exam questions?'
In IGCSE Chemistry, knowing a definition is not always enough. A pupil may understand an experiment but omit a required observation, confuse 'describe' with 'explain', or make an avoidable calculation error. The right first step is to look at a marked question and the official mark scheme together, not simply schedule more hours of revision.
Start with the correct exam board
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry are distinct qualifications with their own specifications and assessment structures. Ask the school for the exact code, tier or paper route where relevant, and examination year. Use the board's current syllabus, specimen papers and examiner reports, not a random collection of online worksheets.
Check the exam specification
Ask the school whether the pupil follows Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel or another specification and which exam series applies. Use that board's current official syllabus and past-paper guidance; topic lists are not interchangeable.
Work from misconceptions
Use one recent classroom question to discover whether the problem is chemistry knowledge, mathematical calculation, scientific vocabulary or explaining a result. Targeted teaching is more useful than indiscriminate past papers.
Check suitability and availability
This page describes how to evaluate focused Chemistry tuition, not a guarantee that TAA currently runs an IGCSE group. Confirm age suitability, timetable and subject provision before booking.
A more useful revision session
Choose one misconception, such as balancing equations or explaining a rate-of-reaction experiment. Ask the pupil to predict an answer, explain their reasoning, compare it with the official mark scheme and write a corrected explanation from memory. A week later, return to a different question on the same idea. This tests understanding rather than recognition.
Is a group right for this student?
A small group can help when pupils share a syllabus and similar gaps, but it is a poor fit if their exam boards, topics or levels are very different. Check the provider's actual subject expertise and whether the group is currently offered.