For Kenyan students sitting Cambridge IGCSE in the October/November 2026 series, the grade is won in the six to eight weeks before the exam, not on the day. Kenya sits in Cambridge administrative Zone 4, where the October/November papers run from late September into November, with results in mid-January 2027. That puts peak revision squarely in Term 3, roughly August to October. This guide gives you a realistic six-week timetable, a chart showing how your revision should shift week by week, and the exact method for turning past papers into marks.
- Kenya is Zone 4; Oct/Nov papers run from late September, results mid-January 2027.
- Start serious revision six to eight weeks out, in Term 3.
- Shift from topic revision early to full timed past papers late (see the chart).
- Cambridge past papers are free; topical question banks and model answers organise them for you.
- Mark every answer against the mark scheme and keep an error log.
The October/November 2026 series and the Zone 4 calendar
Cambridge runs three series a year, but only two matter for Kenyan candidates: May/June and October/November. The October/November 2026 series begins from late September and runs into November, with results released in mid-January 2027. Subjects and papers are spread across the series, so confirm each of your specific paper dates on the official Cambridge Zone 4 timetable and plan around them.
Glossary: Zone 4 is Cambridge's administrative timetable zone covering Kenya. A series is an exam sitting (Feb/March, May/June, Oct/Nov). Topical practice means questions grouped by syllabus topic. The mark scheme is the official document showing how each mark is awarded.
How your revision should shift, week by week
The single biggest mistake is doing the same kind of revision every week. Early on you should be relearning topics; late on you should be sitting full papers to time. The shift looks like this:
Your six-week IGCSE revision timetable
| Week | Focus | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 6 out | Map & diagnose | List every syllabus topic per subject; rate each red, amber, green. |
| 5 out | Red topics | Relearn weakest topics; do topical questions on each. |
| 4 out | Amber topics | Same method; mark against the scheme; log errors. |
| 3 out | First full papers | Timed past papers, one subject at a time; revisit exposed gaps. |
| 2 out | Exam conditions | Complete papers to time, no notes; revise only logged weak spots. |
| Final | Consolidate & rest | Review command words, formulae, definitions; sleep well. |
The past-paper method that actually works
Most students read a question, glance at the answer, and feel productive without learning anything. Do the opposite. Attempt each question fully, to time, on your own. Then mark it against the official mark scheme and write down exactly why you lost each mark. That error log is your most valuable revision document.
- Pick a topic or paper. Attempt it cold, no notes, to time.
- Mark strictly against the official mark scheme.
- Log every lost mark and its reason (missed unit, wrong command word, gap in knowledge).
- Re-revise only the logged gaps, then re-attempt similar questions.
Worked example: a single revision day
Take Aisha, revising IGCSE Chemistry (0620) three weeks out. Morning: she attempts a full past Paper 4 to time (1 hour 15). She marks it against the scheme and finds she lost six marks, four for forgetting state symbols and units, two on rates-of-reaction explanations. Afternoon: she re-revises only rates of reaction, then does five topical questions on it. Result: one paper has told her precisely what to fix, and she has fixed it the same day. That is worth more than re-reading the whole textbook.
Subject-specific tips
- Sciences (Biology 0610, Chemistry 0620, Physics 0625): learn exact definitions; for calculations show the equation, the substitution and the unit. See our science choice guide.
- Mathematics 0580: show every step for method marks; obey the rounding instruction. See our Maths 0580 study guide.
- English and humanities: answer the command word precisely and use evidence.
- All subjects: know your grade boundaries to set a realistic target. See our grade boundaries explainer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting too late. September is for full papers, not first learning.
- Re-reading notes passively. Active recall and past questions win; see the right method in our 5-step past papers method.
- Never marking your own work. Without the mark scheme you cannot see what is costing you.
- Ignoring command words. "Evaluate" and "describe" demand different answers.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Oct/Nov 2026 exams in Kenya? The series runs from late September into November for Zone 4. Confirm each paper's date on the official Cambridge timetable.
When do results come out? Mid-January 2027.
Is six weeks enough? Yes, if you start on time and use past papers. Six disciplined weeks beat months of passive reading.
Where can I get past papers? Cambridge publishes them free on its official site; topical banks and model answers organise your practice.
How many hours a day? Two to three focused hours with past-paper practice and proper marking beats a whole distracted day.
Should I revise all subjects every day? Rotate, but give more time to your red-rated topics and subjects.
What about the final night? Light review of command words and formulae, then sleep. Cramming the night before lowers performance.
In summary
Win the Oct/Nov 2026 series by starting early, shifting from topic revision to full timed papers as the chart shows, and marking yourself honestly with an error log. For more, read how Kenyan students score an A* in IGCSE.
Revise smarter: Get IGCSE topical question banks and model answer booklets for the October/November series at cbcedukenya.com/igcse, or WhatsApp +254 711 344 702.
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