Plant vs animal cells
Both have a nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane. Plant cells also have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole.
Cambridge Lower Secondary 2026
🔬 Cambridge Lower Secondary Science Formula Sheet
Essential facts and formulas for biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space across Grades 6-8.
Biology & Ecosystems Chemistry & Materials Physics & Forces
Our formula sheets are free to download — save this one as PDF for offline revision.
Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.
Build Strong Scientific Foundations
This reference sheet covers the key facts and formulas from Grades 6 through 8 — most schools don't sit the optional Cambridge Checkpoint exam, but this is exactly the content every student needs before starting Cambridge IGCSE.
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Biology essentials
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Chemistry basics
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Physics formulas
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Earth & Space
Biology
Cells, life processes and ecosystems
The building blocks of living things, how they function, and how they interact with their environment.
Life processes (MRS GREN)
The 7 processes common to all living organisms.
Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition Food chains and webs
Energy flows from producers (plants, which make their own food) to consumers (animals, which eat other organisms).
Arrows in a food chain point in the direction energy flows, e.g. grass → rabbit → fox.
Human digestive system
Food is broken down mechanically (chewing) and chemically (enzymes) as it passes through the mouth, stomach and small intestine.
Transport in plants (Grade 8)
Xylem carries water and minerals up from the roots; phloem carries sugars made by photosynthesis around the plant.
Inheritance basics (Grade 8)
Chromosomes carry genes made of DNA; offspring inherit a mix of characteristics from both parents.
Chemistry
States of matter, materials and their properties
How particles behave in solids, liquids and gases, and how materials can be classified and separated.
States of matter
The 3 states differ in how their particles are arranged and how much they move.
Solid
particles closely packed, fixed positions, vibrate only Liquid
particles close together but can move past each other Gas
particles far apart, move freely and quickly Changes of state
Heating and cooling change particle arrangement without changing what the substance is made of.
Melting / Freezing — solid ⇌ liquid; Evaporating / Condensing — liquid ⇌ gas Elements, compounds and mixtures
An element contains only one type of atom; a compound is two or more elements chemically joined; a mixture is two or more substances not chemically joined.
Physical vs chemical changes
A physical change (like melting) is usually reversible and no new substance forms; a chemical change (like burning) forms a new substance and is usually irreversible.
Separating mixtures
The method depends on what's being separated.
Filtration
separates an insoluble solid from a liquid Evaporation
separates a dissolved solid from a liquid by evaporating the liquid Distillation
separates a liquid from a solution by evaporating then condensing it Acids and alkalis
The pH scale runs from 0 (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly alkaline), with 7 being neutral.
Acid + alkali → salt + water (neutralisation).
Physics
Forces, energy, electricity and waves
How things move, how energy transfers, and the basics of electrical circuits and waves.
Forces
A force is a push or pull. Balanced forces produce no change in motion; unbalanced forces cause acceleration.
Weight = mass × gravitational field strength (W = m × g) Speed
How fast something is moving.
speed = distance ÷ time Energy stores and transfers
Energy can't be created or destroyed, only transferred between stores (e.g. kinetic, thermal, chemical, gravitational potential) or between objects.
Electrical circuits
Current is the flow of charge; voltage is the energy pushing it around the circuit.
Series circuit
current is the same everywhere; voltage is shared between components Parallel circuit
voltage is the same across each branch; current is shared between branches Light
Light travels in straight lines. Reflection bounces light off a surface; refraction bends light as it passes between materials.
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
Sound
Sound is caused by vibrations travelling as waves through a medium (like air).
Pitch
how high or low a sound is — depends on frequency Volume
how loud a sound is — depends on amplitude Earth and Space
Structure of the Earth, cycles, and the solar system
The layers that make up our planet, the natural cycles that shape it, and its place in the solar system.
Structure of the Earth
The Earth is made of 3 main layers.
Crust
the thin, rocky outer layer we live on Mantle
a thick layer of hot, slowly-moving rock beneath the crust Core
the dense metallic centre (liquid outer core, solid inner core) The rock cycle
Rocks are continuously transformed between 3 types by heat, pressure and weathering.
Igneous
forms when magma or lava cools and solidifies Sedimentary
forms when layers of sediment are compressed over time Metamorphic
forms when existing rock is changed by heat and pressure The water cycle
Water continuously moves between the oceans, atmosphere and land.
Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Collection → (repeat) The solar system
The Sun is orbited by 8 planets, held in orbit by gravity.
In order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Day, night and seasons
Day and night are caused by Earth's rotation on its axis; seasons are caused by Earth's tilted axis as it orbits the Sun.
How to Use This Formula Sheet
Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.
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Learn Key Terms First
Science vocabulary is precise — knowing the exact meaning of terms like 'reflection' or 'evaporation' helps you answer questions accurately.
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Draw Diagrams
Sketch cells, circuits, or the water cycle before explaining them in words. A labelled diagram often makes the science click.
Formula Sheet FAQ
Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.
Is the Cambridge Lower Secondary Science Formula Sheet 2026 free to download as a PDF?
Yes. This Tutopiya formula sheet is free to use and you can download it as a PDF from this page for offline revision. There is no payment or account required for the PDF download.
What Science topics and equations does this formula sheet cover?
This page groups key Science formulas in one place for revision. Essential Cambridge Lower Secondary Science facts and formulas for Grades 6-8 (ages 11-14): biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space — the content every student needs before starting Cambridge IGCSE. Always cross-check with your official syllabus and past papers for your exam session.
Can I use this instead of the official exam formula booklet in the exam?
No. In the exam you must follow only what your exam board allows in the hall—usually the official formula booklet or data sheet where provided. This page is a revision and teaching aid, not a replacement for board-issued materials.
Who is this formula sheet for (Middle School)?
It is written for students preparing for assessments at Middle School in Science, including classroom revision, homework support, and independent study. Teachers and tutors can also share it as a quick reference.
How should I revise with this formula sheet?
Work through past paper questions, quote the correct formula before substituting values, and check units and notation every time. Pair this sheet with timed practice and mark schemes so you see how examiners expect working to be set out.
Where can I get more help with Science revision?
Explore Tutopiya’s study tools, past paper finder, and revision checklists linked from our tools hub, or book a trial lesson with a subject specialist for personalised support alongside this formula reference.
Master Cambridge Lower Secondary Science
Build strong scientific foundations with expert tutors who make biology, chemistry and physics concepts clear before you start Cambridge IGCSE.
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Facts align with the Cambridge Lower Secondary Science framework for Grades 6-8.
Always use correct scientific vocabulary and include units where relevant.