0653 · Cambridge IGCSE
0653/22
Multiple Choice (Extended)
Science - Combined · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.8 / 5
160
180 min
Motion, Forces and Energy Calculations and Speed-Time Graphs
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The heavy weight of marks lies in Motion, Forces and Energy (14 marks), which tested complex mechanics such as converting Mars rover speed from 0.0089 m/s 0.0089 \text{ m/s} 0.0089 m/s to 0.032 km/h 0.032 \text{ km/h} 0.032 km/h and calculating stopping height (approx 0.33 mm 0.33 \text{ mm} 0.33 mm).
Many students struggled with unit conversions, particularly switching from seconds/meters to hours/kilometers.
Another critical mark-earning zone was States of Matter (7 marks), where precise particle arrangement drawings at −10∘C -10^{\circ}\text{C} −10∘C and +110∘C +110^{\circ}\text{C} +110∘C were required.
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.
Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 6100%Diagrammatic
Weight: 583%Recall of Chemical Principles
Weight: 467%Adaptat
Weight: 350%Chemical Equations
Weight: 233%
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. 74% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 62% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 39% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 28% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Motion, forces and energy (Physics)
14 marks this session
Electricity (Physics)
7 marks this session
States of matter (Chemistry)
7 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
Motion, forces and energy
Organic chemistry
Electrochemistry
Electricity
Motion, forces and energy (Physics)
Transport in animals
Reproduction
Acids, bases and salts
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 22 Multiple Choice (Extended):
Paper 42 Theory (Extended):
Paper 62 Alternative to Practical:
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
Motion, forces and energy (Physics)
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectricity (Physics)
7 marks this session
Practise in RevuiStates of matter (Chemistry)
7 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The heavy weight of marks lies in Motion, Forces and Energy (14 marks), which tested complex mechanics such as converting Mars rover speed from 0.0089 m/s 0.0089 \text{ m/s} 0.0089 m/s to 0.032 km/h 0.032 \text{ km/h} 0.032 km/h and calculating stopping height (approx 0.33 mm 0.33 \text{ mm} 0.33 mm).
- 2Message
Many students struggled with unit conversions, particularly switching from seconds/meters to hours/kilometers.
- 3Message
Another critical mark-earning zone was States of Matter (7 marks), where precise particle arrangement drawings at −10∘C -10^{\circ}\text{C} −10∘C and +110∘C +110^{\circ}\text{C} +110∘C were required.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Science - Combined
The heavy weight of marks lies in Motion, Forces and Energy (14 marks), which tested complex mechanics such as converting Mars rover speed from 0.0089 m/s 0.0089 \text{ m/s} 0.0089 m/s to 0.032 km/h 0.032 \text{ km/h} 0.032 km/h and calculating stopping height (approx 0.33 mm 0.3
The heavy weight of marks lies in Motion, Forces and Energy (14 marks), which tested complex mechanics such as converting Mars rover speed from 0.0089 m/s 0.0089 \text{ m/s} 0.0089 m/s to 0.032 km/h 0.032 \text{ km/h} 0.032 km/h and calculating stopping height (approx 0.33 mm 0.33 \text{ mm} 0.33 mm).
Many students struggled with unit conversions, particularly switching from seconds/meters to hours/kilometers.
Another critical mark-earning zone was States of Matter (7 marks), where precise particle arrangement drawings at −10∘C -10^{\circ}\text{C} −10∘C and +110∘C +110^{\circ}\text{C} +110∘C were required.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The heavy weight of marks lies in Motion, Forces and Energy (14 marks), which tested complex mechanics such as converting Mars rover speed from 0.0089 m/s 0.0089 \text{ m/s} 0.0089 m/s to 0.032 km/h 0.032 \text{ km/h} 0.032 km/h and calculating stopping height (approx 0.33 mm 0.33 \text{ mm} 0.33 mm). Many students struggled with unit conversions, particularly switching from seconds/meters to hours/kilometers. Another critical mark-earning zone was States of Matter (7 marks), where precise particle arrangement drawings at −10∘C -10^{\circ}\text{C} −10∘C and +110∘C +110^{\circ}\text{C} +110∘C were required.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 22 Multiple Choice (Extended):
Paper 42 Theory (Extended):
Paper 62 Alternative to Practical:
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.
80% 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.
Structured Theory
80·9·100%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Stoichiometry (Chemistry)
85%85%
Space physics (Physics)
75%75%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Unit Conversion Errors: When calculating the speed of sound on Mars or converting speeds, failing to show the intermediate working (e.g., multiplying by 3600 and dividing by 1000) cost students easy marks.
- Symbol Equations and State Symbols: In Chemistry Q5, writing the balanced equation for the oxidation of nitrogen monoxide 2NO(g)+O2(g)→2NO2(g) 2\text{NO(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{NO}_2\text{(g)} 2NO(g)+O2(g)→2NO2(g) required explicit state symbols. Neglecting gaseous tags (g) \text{(g)} (g) is a frequent examiner trap.
- Circuit Layouts: Drawing the parallel lamp in Q9 required it to be connected in parallel with the heater, specifically to the left of the heater's switch so that it switches on independently but does not reduce the heater current.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 45min
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.