MATHEMATICS-SPECIFICATION-B · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
MATHEMATICS-SPECIFICATION-B/12
(Core Skills and Proofs)
Mathematics Specification B · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
200
240 min
Algebra
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
200
Duration
240 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers.
Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics.
Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills.
Strong candidates excelled by displaying meticulous algebraic structure and keeping intermediate values unrounded during multi-stage trigonometric and mensuration problems.
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.
Algebraic Manipulation
Weight: 10100%Geometric
Weight: 880%Proof & Reasoning
Weight: 770%Statistical Analysis
Weight: 660%Numerical
Weight: 440%Recall
Weight: 330%Spatial Visualization
Weight: 220%
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers. Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics. Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills. Strong candidates excelled by
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Algebra
55 marks this session
Statistics and probability
26 marks this session
Number
25 marks this session
Geometry
24 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
Algebra
Number
Geometry
Statistics and probability
Trigonometry
Vectors and transformation geometry
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1R (4MB1/01R):
Paper 2R (4MB1/02R):
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
Algebra
55 marks this session
Practise in RevuiStatistics and probability
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNumber
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGeometry
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers.
- 2Message
Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics.
- 3Message
Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills.
- 4Message
Strong candidates excelled by displaying meticulous algebraic structure and keeping intermediate values unrounded during multi-stage trigonometric and mensuration problems.
- 5Strength
Overall Difficulty Verdict: The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty le
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Mathematics Specification B
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers. Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics. Paper 2R, on the other
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers.
Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics.
Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills.
- Total marks
- 200
- Duration
- 240 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers. Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics. Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills. Strong candidates excelled by displaying meticulous algebraic structure and keeping intermediate values unrounded during multi-stage trigonometric and mensuration problems.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1R (4MB1/01R):
Paper 2R (4MB1/02R):
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.
Short Answer
100·26·50%
Structured/Multi-part
100·12·50%
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 1R Questions
0.83 m/minPaper 1R Questions
0.94 m/minPaper 2R Questions
0.71 m/minPaper 2R Questions
0.64 m/minTotal marks
190
Total time
250 min
Avg pace
0.76
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
3D Trigonometry & Bearings
90%90%
Vector Ratio Proofs (using lambda and mu)
85%85%
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The Summer 2024 Mathematics B paper set (Papers 1R and 2R) maintained a solid Grade 7+ difficulty level, especially in the latter halves of both papers. Paper 1R acted as an intensive sprint, featuring 26 distinct questions across a wide variety of topics. Paper 2R, on the other hand, was a marathon of 12 highly structured questions testing advanced composite skills. Strong candidates excelled by displaying meticulous algebraic structure and keeping intermediate values unrounded during multi-stage trigonometric and mensuration problems.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Answer, Structured/Multi-part
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.