What textbooks should you buy for the IGCSE Edexcel Sciences?

For all you busy bees I’m cutting to the chase. Here’s my ultimate textbook set for completing any of the IGCSE Edexcel sciences. I’m showing you biology, but the same will apply for chemistry and physics (just switch the subject name).


FULL DETAILS -

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Student book

Edexcel International GCSE for the grade 9-1 course. The Revision Guide. By CPG

Edexcel International GCSE Exam practice Workbook for the 9-1 course by CPG

Edexcel international GCSE (9-1) workbook by Hodder education

Essential maths skills for GCSE Science for the grade 9-1 course - study & practice

For the rest of you, here’s why I came to this conclusion……

There are two things I reach for when considering a new (I)GCSE for my child. The exam board’s subject specification and some textbook advice. I know from first hand experience, as a home ed mum, a good textbook can mean the difference between a relative sail through to the exams and a hard slog of worries that we’re doing it right. The exam spec is for another blog post, but today I’m talking textbooks.


THE MAIN BOOK!


Firstly, you’re going to need a main book. The one with the ‘whole’ course inside (supposedly). You’re going to read this forwards, backwards and sideways. Get it? It’s your holy grail. Here are your main book options. Moving away from this list is risky. You could potentially not be following the right course (they change between different exam boards and years). Remember, we're talking edexcel, not CIE.


IGCSE BIOLOGY

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Biology Student book by Pearson

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Biology Student book by Collins

Biology for Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Hodder education second edition.

IGCSE PHYSICS

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Physics Student book by Pearson

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Physics Student book by Collins

Physics for Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Hodder education second edition.

CHEMISTRY

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Chemistry Student book by Pearson

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Chemistry Student book by Collins

Chemistry for Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Hodder education second edition

Notice they’re all 9-1? That’s super important! It’s the new grading system and without that on the cover, you’ve probably got an old book. Not ideal. The only other real difference is the publisher. Pearson (edexcel), Collins and Hodder.

They look like this:

PEARSON (Edexcel)

COLLINS

HODDER


My fav? As Pearson (edexcel) is the actual exam board’s book, it stands to reason it is probably the best choice as your main book.


OTHER REASONS WHY PEARSON IS MY ‘MAIN BOOK’ CHOICE

  • It is genuinely quite nice to read.

  • A 'mostly' clear layout and instructions.

  • Well thought out diagrams.

  • Some good practice questions.

  • A glossary. More important than you think and Hodder’s doesn’t have one.

  • Extends beyond the specification nicely.

  • Additional online version for if you’re travelling light.


THE BAD ON PEARSON

  • Expensive. Three sciences and you're closing in on £90.

  • A bit flimsy. This is a sit at your desk and open gently book. Two years of it curled over and it’s likely to fall apart.