0620 · Cambridge IGCSE
0620/42
Theory (Extended)
Chemistry · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
160
180 min
Reactivity and Extraction of Metals
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers.
Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemical vocabulary, thorough practical familiarity, and neat algebraic processing.
The overall difficulty aligns well with historical averages, sitting at a balanced 3.5 out of 5, though some novel contexts in Paper 42 and Paper 62 tested top-end candidates' ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations.
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.
Conceptual Understanding
Weight: 6100%Mathematical/
Weight: 467%Experimental
Weight: 350%Logical
Weight: 233%Reasoning
Weight: 117%
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
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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Name” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Reactivity series
16 marks this session
Acid–base titrations
15 marks this session
Formulae (Stoichiometry)
12 marks this session
Identification of ions and gases
11 marks this session
Alcohols
10 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
Reversible reactions and equilibrium
Electrolysis
Atomic structure and the Periodic Table
Rate of reaction
Preparation of salts
Group VII properties
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 22 (Extended Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (Extended Theory):
Paper 62 (Alternative to Practical):
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
Reactivity series
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAcid–base titrations
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiFormulae (Stoichiometry)
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIdentification of ions and gases
11 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlcohols
10 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 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers.
- 2Message
Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemical vocabulary, thorough practical familiarity, and neat algebraic processing.
- 3Message
The overall difficulty aligns well with historical averages, sitting at a balanced 3.5 out of 5, though some novel contexts in Paper 42 and Paper 62 tested top-end candidates' ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Chemistry
The May/June 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers. Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemi
The May/June 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers.
Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemical vocabulary, thorough practical familiarity, and neat algebraic processing.
The overall difficulty aligns well with historical averages, sitting at a balanced 3.5 out of 5, though some novel contexts in Paper 42 and Paper 62 tested top-end candidates' ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers. Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemical vocabulary, thorough practical familiarity, and neat algebraic processing. The overall difficulty aligns well with historical averages, sitting at a balanced 3.5 out of 5, though some novel contexts in Paper 42 and Paper 62 tested top-end candidates' ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 22 (Extended Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (Extended Theory):
Paper 62 (Alternative to Practical):
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.
81% 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.
Structured Questions
80·28·50%
Multiple Choice
40·40·25%
Alternative to Practical
40·14·25%
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 22 (Multiple
0.89 m/minPaper 42 Section A
0.97 m/minPaper 42 Section B
0.91 m/minTotal marks
115
Total time
125 min
Avg pace
0.92
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Stoichiometry (The Mole and Avogadro)
95%95%
Polymers (Organic Chemistry)
90%90%
Electrolysis (Electrochemistry)
85%85%
May/June 2024 Exam Analysis: IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
The May/June 2024 sitting of the IGCSE Chemistry (0620) examination provided a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of candidates' knowledge across both Core and Extended tiers. Our focus on the Extended route (Papers 22, 42, and 62) reveals a paperset that rewards precise chemical vocabulary, thorough practical familiarity, and neat algebraic processing. The overall difficulty aligns well with historical averages, sitting at a balanced 3.5 out of 5, though some novel contexts in Paper 42 and Paper 62 tested top-end candidates' ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 80
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.