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0654 · Cambridge IGCSE

0654/21

Multiple Choice (Extended)

Sciences Co ordinated Double · June 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

220

Duration

255 min

Most tested topic

Atoms, Elements and Compounds & Electricity and Magnetism

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

220

Duration

255 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.

2

It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calculations and the application of abstract scientific principles to unfamiliar scenarios.

3

The extended route expects students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of molecular structures, chemical thermodynamics, and kinematics.

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

Recall of Scientific6
Mathematical & Calculation4
Analysis & G3
Scientific Explanation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Recall of ScientificRecall ofScientificMathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationAnalysis & GAnalysis & GScientific ExplanationScientificExplanation
SkillWeightShare
  • Recall of Scientific

    Weight: 6100%
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 467%
  • Analysis & G

    Weight: 350%
  • Scientific Explanation

    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. 38% 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

CalculateFrequency: 9

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

ExplainFrequency: 11

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

StateFrequency: 14

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 8

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

DetermineFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

ConstructFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 4

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

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

Atoms, elements and compounds

14 marks this session

Electricity and magnetism

14 marks this session

Motion, forces and energy

13 marks this session

Metals

12 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
2024
2025
Σ

Motion, forces and energy

13
18
31

Electricity and magnetism

14
12
26

Atoms, elements and compounds

14
14

Acids, bases and salts

12
12

Metals

12
12

Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

11
11

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202320242025
2023 June 2023 · 3.5/52024 June 2024 · 3.8/52025 June 2025 · 3.8/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 21 (Multiple Choice - Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 41 (Theory - Extended):

120 marks120 min

Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):

60 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 IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.

  • 2Message

    It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calculations and the application of abstract scientific principles to unfamiliar scenarios.

  • 3Message

    The extended route expects students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of molecular structures, chemical thermodynamics, and kinematics.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2024 2024

Sciences Co ordinated Double

The IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calcul

  • The IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.

  • It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calculations and the application of abstract scientific principles to unfamiliar scenarios.

  • The extended route expects students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of molecular structures, chemical thermodynamics, and kinematics.

Total marks
220
Duration
255 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calculations and the application of abstract scientific principles to unfamiliar scenarios. The extended route expects students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of molecular structures, chemical thermodynamics, and kinematics.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 21 (Multiple Choice - Extended):

40 marks45 min

Paper 41 (Theory - Extended):

120 marks120 min

Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):

60 marks90 min

Top chapters

Atoms, elements and compounds14 marks
Electricity and magnetism14 marks
Motion, forces and energy13 marks
Metals12 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Reproduction10 marks
Transport in plants9 marks
Gas exchange in humans7 marks
Drugs5 marks
Organisms and their environment5 marks
Respiration2 marks
Human influences on ecosystems2 marks
Atoms, elements and compounds14 marks

Mark accessibility

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

79% within easy or medium reach

45
50
25
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 50 marksHard: 25 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate9 times
Explain11 times
State14 times
Describe8 times
Determine2 times
Construct3 times
Suggest4 times

Question type mix

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

120Marks
  • Short Answer & Recall

    42·18·35%

  • Explanations & Descriptions

    40·12·33%

  • Calculations & Data Processing

    38·10·32%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Atoms, elements an…Metals Reactivity …Waves and Diffract…Electricity Circui…

Next-year prediction

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

Organic chemistry

85%

85%

Coordination and response

80%

80%

Thermal physics

75%

75%

Paper Difficulty Verdict

The IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654/41) Theory Extended paper is rated a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. It exhibits a highly balanced distribution across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, demanding not only solid conceptual recall but also precise mathematical calculations and the application of abstract scientific principles to unfamiliar scenarios. The extended route expects students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of molecular structures, chemical thermodynamics, and kinematics.

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.

0654/21 — Cambridge IGCSE Sciences Co ordinated Double (June 2024) | Revui