0625 · Cambridge IGCSE
0625/21
Multiple Choice (Extended)
Physics · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.5 / 5
80
75 min
Light refraction, lens properties and focal points
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
80
Duration
75 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge.
While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal properties, and electricity pushed students to their limits.
Candidates who secured top marks demonstrated not only strong conceptual recall but also high mathematical precision and an ability to apply theory to unfamiliar practical contexts.
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.
Mathematical Recall
Weight: 5100%Drawing & Interpretation
Weight: 480%Graphical Scientific Explanation
Weight: 360%Unit conversions
Weight: 120%
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. 72% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 28% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” 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: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Light
10 marks this session
Motion
10 marks this session
Electrical quantities
9 marks this session
Electric circuits
9 marks this session
Stars and the Universe
9 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
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 4 Theory (Extended) 41:
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
Light
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMotion
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectrical quantities
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric circuits
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiStars and the Universe
9 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 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge.
- 2Message
While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal properties, and electricity pushed students to their limits.
- 3Message
Candidates who secured top marks demonstrated not only strong conceptual recall but also high mathematical precision and an ability to apply theory to unfamiliar practical contexts.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Physics
The May/June 2024 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge. While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal
The May/June 2024 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge.
While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal properties, and electricity pushed students to their limits.
Candidates who secured top marks demonstrated not only strong conceptual recall but also high mathematical precision and an ability to apply theory to unfamiliar practical contexts.
- Total marks
- 80
- Duration
- 75 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge. While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal properties, and electricity pushed students to their limits. Candidates who secured top marks demonstrated not only strong conceptual recall but also high mathematical precision and an ability to apply theory to unfamiliar practical contexts.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 4 Theory (Extended) 41:
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
80·9·100%
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.
Questions 4-5 (Wave
0.94 m/minQuestions 6-7 (Elec
0.94 m/minQuestions 8-9 (Nucl
0.94 m/minTotal marks
50
Total time
53 min
Avg pace
0.94
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.
Electromagnetic Induction & a.c. Generators
85%85%
Pressure in Liquids & Boyle's Law Calculations
78%78%
Paper 41 Difficulty Verdict and Syllabus Insights
The May/June 2024 Physics Paper 41 (Extended) presented a moderate to challenging test of candidate knowledge. While foundational topics such as space physics (lifecycle of stars) and nuclear equations were generally well-answered, several sophisticated concepts in waves, thermal properties, and electricity pushed students to their limits. Candidates who secured top marks demonstrated not only strong conceptual recall but also high mathematical precision and an ability to apply theory to unfamiliar practical contexts.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 45min
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.