0625 · Cambridge IGCSE
0625/61
Alternative to Practical
Physics · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
160
180 min
Forces, Kinematics, and Dynamics
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 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section.
Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdles in both the Theory and Practical papers.
In particular, Paper 41 offered a rigorous test of candidates' ability to synthesize mathematical calculations with precise physical definitions.
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.
Knowledge wiAO2:
Weight: 3100%Handling infAO3:
Weight: 267%Experimental
Weight: 133%
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. 64% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 28% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 25% 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
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
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
Forces
18 marks this session
Motion
16 marks this session
Electric circuits
14 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
Motion
Electric circuits
Forces
Electromagnetic effects
Light
Electrical quantities
Stars and the Universe
Radioactivity
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 21 Multiple Choice (Extended):
Paper 41 Theory (Extended):
Paper 61 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
Forces
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMotion
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric circuits
14 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 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section.
- 2Message
Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdles in both the Theory and Practical papers.
- 3Message
In particular, Paper 41 offered a rigorous test of candidates' ability to synthesize mathematical calculations with precise physical definitions.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Physics
The May/June 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section. Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdle
The May/June 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section.
Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdles in both the Theory and Practical papers.
In particular, Paper 41 offered a rigorous test of candidates' ability to synthesize mathematical calculations with precise physical definitions.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section. Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdles in both the Theory and Practical papers. In particular, Paper 41 offered a rigorous test of candidates' ability to synthesize mathematical calculations with precise physical definitions.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 21 Multiple Choice (Extended):
Paper 41 Theory (Extended):
Paper 61 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.
75% 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 Theory
(Extended)
80·10·50%
Multiple Choice
(Extended)
40·40·25%
Alternative to Practical
40·4·25%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 21 (Multiple
0.89 m/minPaper 41 Section A
0.89 m/minPaper 41 Section B
1.00 m/minTotal marks
115
Total time
125 min
Avg pace
0.92
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.
Nuclear Fusion in Stars
85%85%
Electromagnetic Induction and a.c. Generators
80%80%
Specific Heat Capacity & Internal Energy
75%75%
The May/June 2023 IGCSE Physics (0625) Examination Analysis
The May/June 2023 series was a landmark session, marking the first examinations to feature the newly introduced Space Physics section. Overall, the examination maintained a moderate-to-challenging difficulty level (Difficulty Index: 3.5), with several unexpected conceptual hurdles in both the Theory and Practical papers. In particular, Paper 41 offered a rigorous test of candidates' ability to synthesize mathematical calculations with precise physical definitions.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.