Back to subject papers

0607 · Cambridge IGCSE

0607/21

(Extended, Non-calculator)

International Mathematics · June 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5
Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

220

Duration

280 min

Most tested topic

Sequences and Sums of Powers

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

220

Duration

280 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

High-scoring candidates differentiated themselves in the algebraic manipulation and function-sketching components.

2

In Paper 21, multi-step algebraic rationalisation of surds and log simplifications carried heavy weight relative to the short time frame.

3

In Paper 41, the coordinate geometry, circle theorems, and 3D surface area problems yielded a significant concentration of marks.

4

For Paper 61, the ability to translate a geometric visual (the Lorenz Curve approximation) into a sum of polynomial areas was the single largest differentiator.

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

Conceptual Algebraic5
Calculator Operations4
Multi-Perspective-step Geometric3
Modelling /2
Investigation1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Conceptual AlgebraicConceptualAlgebraicCalculator OperationsCalculatorOperationsMulti-Perspective-step GeometricMulti-Perspective-stepGeometricModelling /Modelling /InvestigationInvestigation
SkillWeightShare
  • Conceptual Algebraic

    Weight: 5100%
  • Calculator Operations

    Weight: 480%
  • Multi-Perspective-step Geometric

    Weight: 360%
  • Modelling /

    Weight: 240%
  • Investigation

    Weight: 120%

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. 86% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 72% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 55% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 38% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 26% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 15% 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

SolveFrequency: 15

Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.

FindFrequency: 22

Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.

CalculateFrequency: 8

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

SketchFrequency: 6

Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.

WriteFrequency: 18

Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.

SimplifyFrequency: 9

Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.

ShowFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 4

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

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 41 (Extended)50m / 30 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 61 (Part A In…50m / 30 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 21 (Extended)135m / 201 marks

Min per mark: 0.2

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Sequences

30 marks this session

Algebraic manipulation

14 marks this session

Transformations

11 marks this session

Functions

11 marks this session

Sketching graphs on a calculator

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
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Sequences

30
28
58

Algebraic manipulation

12
14
14
40

Functions

14
11
25

Similarity

15
15

Surface area and volume

14
14

Pythagoras’ theorem

13
13

Probability of combined events

12
12

Transformations

11
11

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202320242025
2023 June 2023 · 3.4/52024 June 2024 · 3.5/52025 June 2025 · 3.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 21 (Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 41 (Extended):

120 marks135 min

Paper 61 (Extended Investigation and Modelling):

60 marks100 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

    High-scoring candidates differentiated themselves in the algebraic manipulation and function-sketching components.

  • 2Message

    In Paper 21, multi-step algebraic rationalisation of surds and log simplifications carried heavy weight relative to the short time frame.

  • 3Message

    In Paper 41, the coordinate geometry, circle theorems, and 3D surface area problems yielded a significant concentration of marks.

  • 4Message

    For Paper 61, the ability to translate a geometric visual (the Lorenz Curve approximation) into a sum of polynomial areas was the single largest differentiator.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2024 2024

International Mathematics

High-scoring candidates differentiated themselves in the algebraic manipulation and function-sketching components. In Paper 21, multi-step algebraic rationalisation of surds and log simplifications carried heavy weight relative to the short time frame. In Paper 41, the coordinate

  • High-scoring candidates differentiated themselves in the algebraic manipulation and function-sketching components.

  • In Paper 21, multi-step algebraic rationalisation of surds and log simplifications carried heavy weight relative to the short time frame.

  • In Paper 41, the coordinate geometry, circle theorems, and 3D surface area problems yielded a significant concentration of marks.

Total marks
220
Duration
280 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

High-scoring candidates differentiated themselves in the algebraic manipulation and function-sketching components. In Paper 21, multi-step algebraic rationalisation of surds and log simplifications carried heavy weight relative to the short time frame. In Paper 41, the coordinate geometry, circle theorems, and 3D surface area problems yielded a significant concentration of marks. For Paper 61, the ability to translate a geometric visual (the Lorenz Curve approximation) into a sum of polynomial areas was the single largest differentiator. Candidates who carefully partitioned the shapes under the curve secured top marks, while those struggling with the expansion of double brackets lost substantial momentum.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 21 (Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 41 (Extended):

120 marks135 min

Paper 61 (Extended Investigation and Modelling):

60 marks100 min

Top chapters

Sequences30 marks
Algebraic manipulation14 marks
Transformations11 marks
Functions11 marks
Sketching graphs on a calculator11 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Sequences30 marks
Algebraic manipulation14 marks
Transformations11 marks
Functions11 marks
Sketching graphs on a calculator11 marks
Equations9 marks
Proportion8 marks
Surface area and volume8 marks

Mark accessibility

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

82% within easy or medium reach

80
100
40
Easy: 80 marksMedium: 100 marksHard: 40 marks

Command word frequency

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

Solve15 times
Find22 times
Calculate8 times
Sketch6 times
Write18 times
Simplify9 times
Show7 times
Describe4 times

Question type mix

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

220Marks
  • Structured Structured-Response

    120·11·55%

  • Short Answer

    40·16·18%

  • Mathematical Investigation

    30·7·14%

  • Modelling

    30·6·14%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %SequencesAlgebraic manipula…TransformationsFunctionsSketching graphs o…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 21 (Extended)1

5.74 m/min
201
35

Paper 41 (Extended)

0.60 m/min
30
50

Paper 61 (Part A In…

0.60 m/min
30
50

Total marks

261

Total time

135 min

Avg pace

1.93

Next-year prediction

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

3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry

5%

5%

Vectors and Transformations (Shear/Stretch)

4%

4%

Logarithmic and Exponential Modelling Graphing

4%

4%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
75

June 2024

View full examiner insights for this session

View full examiner insights for this session

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

0607/21 — Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (June 2024) | Revui