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0654 · Cambridge IGCSE

0654/21

Multiple Choice (Extended)

Sciences Co ordinated Double · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

220

Duration

255 min

Most tested topic

Motion, forces and energy

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

220

Duration

255 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

2

With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is assessed at a solid 4 stars out of 5.

3

While the Core papers provide a gentler ramp-on for foundational knowledge, the Extended papers push deeply into quantitative chemical calculations, physiological processes, and advanced mechanics.

4

The inclusion of Space Physics and Star Life Cycles adds a conceptually fascinating but demanding dimension to the Physics section.

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

Quantitative & Diagrammatic Skills6
Graphical Interpretation5
Theoretical Recitation3
Experimental1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Quantitative & Diagrammatic SkillsQuantitative &DiagrammaticGraphical InterpretationGraphicalInterpretationTheoretical RecitationTheoreticalRecitationExperimentalExperimental
SkillWeightShare
  • Quantitative & Diagrammatic Skills

    Weight: 6100%
  • Graphical Interpretation

    Weight: 583%
  • Theoretical Recitation

    Weight: 350%
  • Experimental

    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

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. 33% 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

ExplainFrequency: 14

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

DescribeFrequency: 12

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

CalculateFrequency: 10

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

StateFrequency: 15

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DetermineFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

ShowFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 5

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

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 2 (Multiple C45m / 40 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 4 (Theory - B40m / 40 marks

Min per mark: 1

Paper 4 (Theory - C40m / 40 marks

Min per mark: 1

Paper 4 (Theory - P40m / 40 marks

Min per mark: 1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Motion, forces and energy

18 marks this session

Acids, bases and salts

12 marks this session

Electricity and magnetism

12 marks this session

Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

11 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
2024
2025
Σ

Motion, forces and energy

13
18
31

Electricity and magnetism

14
12
26

Atoms, elements and compounds

14
14

Acids, bases and salts

12
12

Metals

12
12

Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

11
11

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 2 Multiple Choice (Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 4 Theory (Extended):

120 marks120 min

Paper 6 Alternative to Practical:

60 marks90 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 Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

  • 2Message

    With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is assessed at a solid 4 stars out of 5.

  • 3Message

    While the Core papers provide a gentler ramp-on for foundational knowledge, the Extended papers push deeply into quantitative chemical calculations, physiological processes, and advanced mechanics.

  • 4Message

    The inclusion of Space Physics and Star Life Cycles adds a conceptually fascinating but demanding dimension to the Physics section.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Sciences Co ordinated Double

The Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is

  • The Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

  • With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is assessed at a solid 4 stars out of 5.

  • While the Core papers provide a gentler ramp-on for foundational knowledge, the Extended papers push deeply into quantitative chemical calculations, physiological processes, and advanced mechanics.

Total marks
220
Duration
255 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is assessed at a solid 4 stars out of 5. While the Core papers provide a gentler ramp-on for foundational knowledge, the Extended papers push deeply into quantitative chemical calculations, physiological processes, and advanced mechanics. The inclusion of Space Physics and Star Life Cycles adds a conceptually fascinating but demanding dimension to the Physics section.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 2 Multiple Choice (Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 4 Theory (Extended):

120 marks120 min

Paper 6 Alternative to Practical:

60 marks90 min

Top chapters

Motion, forces and energy18 marks
Acids, bases and salts12 marks
Electricity and magnetism12 marks
Experimental techniques and chemical analysis11 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Motion, forces and energy18 marks
Space physics10 marks
Experimental techniques and che11 marks
Organisms and their environment10 marks
Human influences on ecosystems8 marks
Acids, bases and salts12 marks
Atoms, elements and compounds10 marks
Metals10 marks

Mark accessibility

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

80% within easy or medium reach

65
110
45
Easy: 65 marksMedium: 110 marksHard: 45 marks

Command word frequency

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

Explain14 times
Describe12 times
Calculate10 times
State15 times
Determine4 times
Show2 times
Suggest5 times

Question type mix

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

220Marks
  • Structured Theory

    120·12·55%

  • Practical/Alternative to Practical

    60·6·27%

  • Multiple Choice

    40·40·18%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Motion, forces and…Acids, bases and s…Space physicsPlant nutritionEnzymes

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.520133.42014420153.620163.420173.520183.820193.520203.620213.520223.420233.820243.82025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 2 (Multiple C

0.89 m/min
40
45

Paper 4 (Theory - B

1.00 m/min
40
40

Paper 4 (Theory - C

1.00 m/min
40
40

Paper 4 (Theory - P

1.00 m/min
40
40

Total marks

160

Total time

165 min

Avg pace

0.97

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.

055110165220A* estimatedA estimatedB estimatedC estimatedD estimatedE estimatedF estimatedG estimatedU estimated40160220

Next-year prediction

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

Organic chemistry - Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

90%

90%

Reproduction in plants and humans

85%

85%

Nuclear physics and radioactivity

80%

80%

Extended Pathway Difficulty Verdict

The Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 exam represents a challenging test of students' ability to transition smoothly across the boundaries of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. With a total of 220 marks spanning Papers 2, 4, and 6, the overall difficulty is assessed at a solid 4 stars out of 5. While the Core papers provide a gentler ramp-on for foundational knowledge, the Extended papers push deeply into quantitative chemical calculations, physiological processes, and advanced mechanics. The inclusion of Space Physics and Star Life Cycles adds a conceptually fascinating but demanding dimension to the Physics section.

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.

0654/21 — Cambridge IGCSE Sciences Co ordinated Double (June 2025) | Revui