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0625 · Cambridge IGCSE

0625/21

Multiple Choice (Extended)

Physics · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

160

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Electromagnetic effects and alternating current generators

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

1

The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis.

2

Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning all five core curriculum areas, including the newly emphasized Space Physics chapter.

3

While mathematical operations were generally well-executed, qualitative explanations and precise scientific terminology remain the primary differentiators between the top grades.

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

Knowledge with4
Problem Solving & Reasoning3
Solving &2
Experimental1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Knowledge withKnowledge withProblem Solving & ReasoningProblem Solving &ReasoningSolving &Solving &ExperimentalExperimental
SkillWeightShare
  • Knowledge with

    Weight: 4100%
  • Problem Solving & Reasoning

    Weight: 375%
  • Solving &

    Weight: 250%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 125%

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. 74% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 62% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 50% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 38% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 34% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 30% 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

CalculateFrequency: 12

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

ExplainFrequency: 8

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 6

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

StateFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 3

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

DefineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

DrawFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Section B: Waves &13m / 12 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Section C: Electric20m / 19 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Section D: Nuclear18m / 17 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Electromagnetic effects

10 marks this session

Radioactivity

8 marks this session

Motion

7 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

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Motion

16
10
7
33

Electric circuits

14
9
23

Forces

18
18

Electromagnetic effects

10
10

Light

10
10

Electrical quantities

9
9

Stars and the Universe

9
9

Radioactivity

8
8

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 41 (Theory Extended):

80 marks75 min

Paper 21 (Multiple Choice Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):

40 marks60 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis.

  • 2Message

    Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning all five core curriculum areas, including the newly emphasized Space Physics chapter.

  • 3Message

    While mathematical operations were generally well-executed, qualitative explanations and precise scientific terminology remain the primary differentiators between the top grades.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Physics

The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis. Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning al

  • The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis.

  • Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning all five core curriculum areas, including the newly emphasized Space Physics chapter.

  • While mathematical operations were generally well-executed, qualitative explanations and precise scientific terminology remain the primary differentiators between the top grades.

Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis. Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning all five core curriculum areas, including the newly emphasized Space Physics chapter. While mathematical operations were generally well-executed, qualitative explanations and precise scientific terminology remain the primary differentiators between the top grades.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 41 (Theory Extended):

80 marks75 min

Paper 21 (Multiple Choice Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):

40 marks60 min

Top chapters

Electromagnetic effects10 marks
Radioactivity8 marks
Motion7 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Physical quantities and measure1 marks
Motion7 marks
Forces7 marks
Energy, work and power4 marks
Momentum2 marks
Transfer of thermal energy4 marks
Electrical quantities7 marks
Electrical safety2 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

75% within easy or medium reach

25
35
20
Easy: 25 marksMedium: 35 marksHard: 20 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Calculate12 times
Explain8 times
Describe6 times
State7 times
Suggest3 times
Define3 times
Draw2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

80Marks
  • Structured/Short Answer

    24·18·30%

  • Calculations

    24·10·30%

  • Explanations & Descriptions

    24·8·30%

  • Diagrams & Graphical

    8·4·10%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %RadioactivityMotion graphs and …The Earth and the …Electromagnetic ef…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.520133.820143.520153.820163.820173.420183.520193.820203.220213.420223.820233.620243.52025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Section B: Waves &

0.92 m/min
12
13

Section C: Electric

0.95 m/min
19
20

Section D: Nuclear

0.94 m/min
17
18

Total marks

48

Total time

51 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.

020406080A* estimatedA estimatedB estimatedC estimatedD estimatedE estimatedF estimatedG estimatedU estimated8Q1: Speed-tim1521Q3: Energy, W2938Q5: Ray Refra4252Q7: Electric6272Q9: Nuclear S80Q10: Space Ph

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Kinetic particle model of matter

85%

85%

Pressure

80%

80%

Sound and longitudinal waves

75%

75%

May/June 2025 Physics (0625) Extended Paper Analysis

The May/June 2025 series represents a highly balanced yet rigorous assessment of candidates' grasp of fundamental physics principles, mathematical applications, and experimental synthesis. Paper 41 (Extended Theory) anchors this suite with a diverse range of questions spanning all five core curriculum areas, including the newly emphasized Space Physics chapter. While mathematical operations were generally well-executed, qualitative explanations and precise scientific terminology remain the primary differentiators between the top grades.

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.

0625/21 — Cambridge IGCSE Physics (June 2025) | Revui