9084 · Cambridge International AS Level
9084/21
Criminal Law
Law · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.5 / 5
135
180 min
Offences against property
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
135
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5.
While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Criminal Law) rigorously tests candidates' capacity to apply statutory provisions and case precedents with absolute precision.
Success in these papers hinges on a student’s ability to move beyond basic factual summaries and deliver structured, evaluative legal arguments.
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 Application (AO2)
Weight: 3100%Analysis andAO3:
Weight: 267%Evaluation
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. 65% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Principles and sources of English law
40 marks this session
Offences against property
35 marks this session
Legal personnel
31 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
Offences against property
Principles and sources of English law
Legal personnel
Machinery of justice
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11: English Legal System:
Paper 21: Criminal Law:
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
Principles and sources of English law
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiOffences against property
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLegal personnel
31 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 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5.
- 2Message
While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Criminal Law) rigorously tests candidates' capacity to apply statutory provisions and case precedents with absolute precision.
- 3Message
Success in these papers hinges on a student’s ability to move beyond basic factual summaries and deliver structured, evaluative legal arguments.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Law
The May/June 2024 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5. While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Crim
The May/June 2024 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5.
While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Criminal Law) rigorously tests candidates' capacity to apply statutory provisions and case precedents with absolute precision.
Success in these papers hinges on a student’s ability to move beyond basic factual summaries and deliver structured, evaluative legal arguments.
- Total marks
- 135
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5. While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Criminal Law) rigorously tests candidates' capacity to apply statutory provisions and case precedents with absolute precision. Success in these papers hinges on a student’s ability to move beyond basic factual summaries and deliver structured, evaluative legal arguments.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11: English Legal System:
Paper 21: Criminal Law:
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.
74% 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.
Evaluation & Essay
65·4·48%
Description & Explanation
31·4·23%
Scenario Application
30·3·22%
Identification
9·3·7%
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 11 Section A
0.83 m/minPaper 21 Section A
0.67 m/minPaper 21 Section B
0.67 m/minTotal marks
85
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.71
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Formation of a valid contract
90%90%
The tort of negligence
85%85%
Remedies for breach of a contract
80%80%
Paper analysis
The May/June 2024 Law (9084) papers present a balanced but demanding assessment, earning a difficulty index of 3.5 out of 5. While Paper 11 (English Legal System) offers highly accessible pathways through classic legal personnel and statutory interpretation topics, Paper 21 (Criminal Law) rigorously tests candidates' capacity to apply statutory provisions and case precedents with absolute precision. Success in these papers hinges on a student’s ability to move beyond basic factual summaries and deliver structured, evaluative legal arguments.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Application of statutory and case source material to scenarios, Define/describe specific criminal law element/actus reus (part a), Evaluate effectiveness or fairness of specific penal statutes (part b)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.