0680 · Cambridge IGCSE
0680/23
Structured Questions
Environmental Management · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
160
210 min
Tectonic Hazards, Sustainable Agriculture, and Fisheries Management
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of the marks lay in natural hazards and marine resource management.
Candidates who mastered the mechanics of plate tectonics, seismic scales, and fisheries management performed exceptionally well.
In Paper 1, the 25-mark segment on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes required precise technical vocabulary (e.g., subduction zones, convection currents, and the logarithmic nature of the Richter scale).
In Paper 2, managing fish populations and demonstrating experimental design controls on waste-rock grass growth carried substantial weight.
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 and Understanding
Weight: 4100%Information
Weight: 375%Handling
Weight: 250%Investigation and
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. 76% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 31% 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
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
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 “Estimate” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Earthquakes and volcanoes
23 marks this session
Management of the harvesting of marine species
20 marks this session
Energy resources and the generation of electricity
16 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
Measuring and managing biodiversity
Management of the harvesting of marine species
Ecosystems
Energy resources and the generation of electricity
Impact of agriculture
Earthquakes and volcanoes
Tropical cyclones
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Theory (0680/13):
Paper 2 Management in Context (0680/23):
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
Earthquakes and volcanoes
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiManagement of the harvesting of marine species
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEnergy resources and the generation of electricity
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of the marks lay in natural hazards and marine resource management.
- 2Message
Candidates who mastered the mechanics of plate tectonics, seismic scales, and fisheries management performed exceptionally well.
- 3Message
In Paper 1, the 25-mark segment on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes required precise technical vocabulary (e.g., subduction zones, convection currents, and the logarithmic nature of the Richter scale).
- 4Message
In Paper 2, managing fish populations and demonstrating experimental design controls on waste-rock grass growth carried substantial weight.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Environmental Management
A significant portion of the marks lay in natural hazards and marine resource management. Candidates who mastered the mechanics of plate tectonics, seismic scales, and fisheries management performed exceptionally well. In Paper 1, the 25-mark segment on volcanic eruptions and ear
A significant portion of the marks lay in natural hazards and marine resource management.
Candidates who mastered the mechanics of plate tectonics, seismic scales, and fisheries management performed exceptionally well.
In Paper 1, the 25-mark segment on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes required precise technical vocabulary (e.g., subduction zones, convection currents, and the logarithmic nature of the Richter scale).
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of the marks lay in natural hazards and marine resource management. Candidates who mastered the mechanics of plate tectonics, seismic scales, and fisheries management performed exceptionally well. In Paper 1, the 25-mark segment on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes required precise technical vocabulary (e.g., subduction zones, convection currents, and the logarithmic nature of the Richter scale). In Paper 2, managing fish populations and demonstrating experimental design controls on waste-rock grass growth carried substantial weight.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Theory (0680/13):
Paper 2 Management in Context (0680/23):
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.
78% 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.
Short Answer
80·60·50%
Structured
56·18·35%
Extended Response
24·4·15%
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 1 Theory
0.76 m/minPaper 2 Management
0.76 m/minTotal marks
160
Total time
210 min
Avg pace
0.76
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Water quality, supply, and sources of pollution
90%90%
Deforestation and Forest Management
85%85%
Human population dynamics and transition
80%80%
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.