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0607 · Cambridge IGCSE

0607/21

(Extended, Non-calculator)

International Mathematics · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.0/5

Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.0 / 5

Total marks

200

Duration

270 min

Most tested topic

Sequences & Pattern Generalisation

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

200

Duration

270 min

Session difficulty

3.0 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling.

2

Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs.

3

Mastery of quadratic functions, expanding triple brackets, and algebraic fractions (specifically setting up speed, distance, and time equations) constitutes nearly 25% of the total Extended marks.

4

On the calculator-based Paper 41, being proficient with Graphic Display Calculators (GDC) to sketch asymptotes, find local minima, and solve inequalities graphically yielded a high concentration of marks.

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

Algebraic Proficiency8
Geometric & Graphical Reasoning6
Spatial Calculator (GDC)5
Analysis & R3
Algorithmic Investigation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Algebraic ProficiencyAlgebraicProficiencyGeometric & Graphical ReasoningGeometric &GraphicalSpatial Calculator (GDC)SpatialCalculator (GDC)Analysis & RAnalysis & RAlgorithmic InvestigationAlgorithmicInvestigation
SkillWeightShare
  • Algebraic Proficiency

    Weight: 8100%
  • Geometric & Graphical Reasoning

    Weight: 675%
  • Spatial Calculator (GDC)

    Weight: 563%
  • Analysis & R

    Weight: 338%
  • Algorithmic Investigation

    Weight: 225%

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. 84% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 69% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 53% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 38% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 30% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 22% 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

FindFrequency: 24

Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.

CalculateFrequency: 12

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

ShowFrequency: 11

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

SimplifyFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.

SolveFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 5

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 (Calculato…90m / 50 marks

Min per mark: 1.8

Paper 21 (Non-calcu…90m / 75 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Sequences

28 marks this session

Similarity

15 marks this session

Algebraic manipulation

14 marks this session

Pythagoras’ theorem

13 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 Non-Calculator):

75 marks90 min

Paper 41 (Extended Calculator):

75 marks90 min

Paper 61 (Extended Investigation & Modelling):

50 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 core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling.

  • 2Message

    Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs.

  • 3Message

    Mastery of quadratic functions, expanding triple brackets, and algebraic fractions (specifically setting up speed, distance, and time equations) constitutes nearly 25% of the total Extended marks.

  • 4Message

    On the calculator-based Paper 41, being proficient with Graphic Display Calculators (GDC) to sketch asymptotes, find local minima, and solve inequalities graphically yielded a high concentration of marks.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

International Mathematics

The core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling. Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs. Mastery of

  • The core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling.

  • Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs.

  • Mastery of quadratic functions, expanding triple brackets, and algebraic fractions (specifically setting up speed, distance, and time equations) constitutes nearly 25% of the total Extended marks.

Total marks
200
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5

Session analysis

The core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling. Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs. Mastery of quadratic functions, expanding triple brackets, and algebraic fractions (specifically setting up speed, distance, and time equations) constitutes nearly 25% of the total Extended marks. On the calculator-based Paper 41, being proficient with Graphic Display Calculators (GDC) to sketch asymptotes, find local minima, and solve inequalities graphically yielded a high concentration of marks.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 21 (Extended Non-Calculator):

75 marks90 min

Paper 41 (Extended Calculator):

75 marks90 min

Paper 61 (Extended Investigation & Modelling):

50 marks90 min

Top chapters

Sequences28 marks
Similarity15 marks
Algebraic manipulation14 marks
Pythagoras’ theorem13 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Sequences28 marks
Similarity15 marks
Algebraic manipulation14 marks
Pythagoras’ theorem13 marks
Equations11 marks
Surface area and volume11 marks
Sketching graphs on a calculator11 marks
Non-right-angled triangles8 marks

Mark accessibility

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

80% within easy or medium reach

55
105
40
Easy: 55 marksMedium: 105 marksHard: 40 marks

Command word frequency

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

Find24 times
Calculate12 times
Show11 times
Simplify8 times
Solve7 times
Describe5 times

Question type mix

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

200Marks
  • Long Answer

    (Structured Calculus/Geometry)

    68·9·34%

  • Investigation & Modelling Task

    50·2·25%

  • Medium Answer

    (Application/Multi-step)

    48·15·24%

  • Short Answer

    (Numeric/Recall)

    34·18·17%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Sequences and Patt…Algebraic Manipula…GDC Graph Sketchin…Pythagoras’ Theore…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 21 (Non-calcu…

0.83 m/min
75
90

Paper 41 (Calculato…

0.56 m/min
50
90

Total marks

125

Total time

180 min

Avg pace

0.69

Next-year prediction

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

3D Geometry & Space Trigonometry

85%

85%

Logarithmic Functions & Graphs

75%

75%

Executive Difficulty Verdict

The May/June 2025 examination series for Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607) presents a highly balanced split between core procedural fluency and complex mathematical modelling. While Papers 11 and 31 (Core) offer a very accessible path for students to showcase fundamental arithmetic, coordinate work, and basic algebra, the Extended papers—particularly Paper 21 and Paper 61—elevate the rigor significantly. Paper 61 requires exceptional comfort with generalising patterns and translating real-world scenarios, such as the Crossed Poles physics model, into algebraic equations using similar triangles and Pythagoras\u2019 theorem.

Where the Marks Are

The core of the marks on the Extended path resides in three key areas: Sequences & Generalisation, Algebraic Manipulation, and Geometric Modelling. Across the papers, sequences accounted for a total of 28 marks, driven largely by the investigation on Products of Pairs. Mastery of quadratic functions, expanding triple brackets, and algebraic fractions (specifically setting up speed, distance, and time equations) constitutes nearly 25% of the total Extended marks. On the calculator-based Paper 41, being proficient with Graphic Display Calculators (GDC) to sketch asymptotes, find local minima, and solve inequalities graphically yielded a high concentration of marks.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
75

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

0607/21 — Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (June 2025) | Revui