0606 · Cambridge IGCSE
0606/21
Calculator
Mathematics Additional · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
160
240 min
Calculus
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
240 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers.
Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper.
Paper 21 allowed scientific calculators but compensated with complex, multi-stage problems particularly in Calculus, Series, and Circular Measure.
Overall, we rate this series as a 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, demanding strong procedural fluency and conceptual depth.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Algebraic Manipulation
Weight: 9100%Calculus & Application
Weight: 778%Trigonometric
Weight: 556%Graphing &
Weight: 444%Visualisation Logical
Weight: 333%Proof
Weight: 111%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 84% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 69% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 24% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 17% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “down” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Calculus (Additional Mathematics)
38 marks this session
Series (Additional Mathematics)
23 marks this session
Trigonometry (Additional Mathematics)
18 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Calculus (Additional Mathematics)
Series (Additional Mathematics)
Trigonometry (Additional Mathematics)
Calculus
Trigonometry
Series
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 (Non-calculator):
Paper 21:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Calculus (Additional Mathematics)
38 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSeries (Additional Mathematics)
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTrigonometry (Additional Mathematics)
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers.
- 2Message
Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper.
- 3Message
Paper 21 allowed scientific calculators but compensated with complex, multi-stage problems particularly in Calculus, Series, and Circular Measure.
- 4Message
Overall, we rate this series as a 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, demanding strong procedural fluency and conceptual depth.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Mathematics Additional
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers. Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers.
Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper.
Paper 21 allowed scientific calculators but compensated with complex, multi-stage problems particularly in Calculus, Series, and Circular Measure.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 240 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers. Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper. Paper 21 allowed scientific calculators but compensated with complex, multi-stage problems particularly in Calculus, Series, and Circular Measure. Overall, we rate this series as a 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, demanding strong procedural fluency and conceptual depth.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Non-calculator):
Paper 21:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
72% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Medium Answer
(4-6 marks)
81·17·51%
Short Answer
(1-3 marks)
48·23·30%
Long Answer
(7+ marks)
31·4·19%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Section A
0.69 m/minPaper 11 Section B
0.65 m/minPaper 21 Section A
0.71 m/minPaper 21 Section B
0.64 m/minTotal marks
160
Total time
240 min
Avg pace
0.67
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Vectors in two dimensions
80%80%
Simultaneous equations
75%75%
Factors of polynomials
70%70%
Exam Difficulty Verdict & Overview
The May/June 2025 series for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) presented a balanced yet highly rigorous set of papers. Paper 11 (Non-calculator) tested candidates' core algebraic and trigonometric abilities under strict manual computation conditions, making it a demanding paper. Paper 21 allowed scientific calculators but compensated with complex, multi-stage problems particularly in Calculus, Series, and Circular Measure. Overall, we rate this series as a 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, demanding strong procedural fluency and conceptual depth.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Incorrect Change of Base in Logarithms: In Paper 11 Q8(b), many candidates struggled to rewrite logx125\log_x 125logx125 in base 5, failing to recognize that logx125=3log5x\log_x 125 = \frac{3}{\log_5 x}logx125=log5x3. This error made the resulting equation impossible to solve.
- Proof by Example: In Paper 11 Q12, some candidates attempted to prove the combination identity using specific values for nnn instead of a general algebraic method using the factorial formula n!(n−r)!r!\frac{n!}{(n-r)!r!}(n−r)!r!n!.
- Completing the Square and Vertex Coordinates: In Paper 21 Q1, simple arithmetic slips during the completing-the-square process led to incorrect coordinates for the stationary point, affecting the subsequent curve sketch.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Answer (1-3 marks), Medium Structured (4-6 marks), Long Structured (7-9 marks)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.