9084 · Cambridge International AS Level
9084/21
Criminal Law
Law · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
135
180 min
Offences against property (specifically Burglary under s9/10 and the Actus Reus of Theft under s3/5)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
135
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge.
Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy.
Paper 21 (Criminal Law) requires rigorous, detail-oriented scenario application.
The integration of statutory extracts (Theft Act 1968 s9/10) with case law like B and S v Leathley and R v Kelly means rote memorisation is insufficient; candidates must demonstrate functional legal reasoning to secure top 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
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge and Understanding
Weight: 3100%Analysis and
Weight: 267%Evaluation and
Weight: 133%
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. 64% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 40% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 33% 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
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Offences against property
60 marks this session
Principles and sources of English law
32 marks this session
Legal personnel
31 marks this session
Machinery of justice
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
Offences against property
Principles and sources of English law
Legal personnel
Machinery of justice
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11: English Legal System:
Paper 21: Criminal Law:
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
Offences against property
60 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPrinciples and sources of English law
32 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLegal personnel
31 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMachinery of justice
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge.
- 2Message
Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy.
- 3Message
Paper 21 (Criminal Law) requires rigorous, detail-oriented scenario application.
- 4Message
The integration of statutory extracts (Theft Act 1968 s9/10) with case law like B and S v Leathley and R v Kelly means rote memorisation is insufficient; candidates must demonstrate functional legal reasoning to secure top marks.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Law
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge. Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy. Paper 21 (Crimin
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge.
Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy.
Paper 21 (Criminal Law) requires rigorous, detail-oriented scenario application.
- Total marks
- 135
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge. Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy. Paper 21 (Criminal Law) requires rigorous, detail-oriented scenario application. The integration of statutory extracts (Theft Act 1968 s9/10) with case law like B and S v Leathley and R v Kelly means rote memorisation is insufficient; candidates must demonstrate functional legal reasoning to secure top marks.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11: English Legal System:
Paper 21: Criminal Law:
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.
67% 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 Evaluation / Discussion
85·6·63%
Scenario Application
30·3·22%
Description
17·3·13%
Short Answer / Identification
3·2·2%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Section A
0.83 m/minPaper 11 Section B
0.67 m/minPaper 21 Section A
0.67 m/minTotal marks
110
Total time
150 min
Avg pace
0.73
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Sentencing in England and Wales
85%85%
Non-fatal offences against the person
80%80%
Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2025 papers for 9084 present a balanced yet challenging test of candidate knowledge. Paper 11 (English Legal System) remains highly accessible in Section A, but demands advanced evaluative skills in Section B, particularly on parliamentary supremacy. Paper 21 (Criminal Law) requires rigorous, detail-oriented scenario application. The integration of statutory extracts (Theft Act 1968 s9/10) with case law like B and S v Leathley and R v Kelly means rote memorisation is insufficient; candidates must demonstrate functional legal reasoning to secure top marks.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Application of statutory and case source material to scenarios, Define/describe specific criminal law element/actus reus (part a), Evaluate effectiveness or fairness of specific penal statutes (part b)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.