MATHEMATICS-COMPULSO · HKDSE
MATHEMATICS-COMPULSO/21
(Multiple Choice)
Mathematics (Compulsory Part) · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
150
210 min
Measures of Dispersion and Statistics
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Level 5**
~91% of max
Level 5*
~82% of max
Level 5
~75% of max
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle p
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard.
While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning.
In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle properties, collinearity, and in-centre ratios, making it one of the hardest coordinate geometry questions in recent DSE history.
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.
Algebraic Manipulation
Weight: 10100%Geometric
Weight: 880%Proof
Weight: 770%Statistical Analysis
Weight: 660%Coordinate Geometric
Weight: 440%Spatial Visualization
Weight: 220%
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
Reporting source
HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes
Level 5**
Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)
Level 5*
Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes
Level 5
Good — meets most university entrance requirements
Level 4
Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes
Admission context
Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective
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.
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Prove” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Express” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Measures of dispersion
16 marks this session
Equations of circles
14 marks this session
Plane geometry
14 marks this session
Mensuration (Area & Volume)
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
Measures of dispersion
Equations of circles
More about polynomials
More about Trigonometry
Plane geometry
Quadratic equations in one unknown
Mensuration (Area & Volume)
More about graphs of functions
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (Structured):
Paper 2 (MC):
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
Measures of dispersion
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEquations of circles
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPlane geometry
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMensuration (Area & Volume)
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle p
- 2Message
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard.
- 3Message
While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning.
- 4Message
In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle properties, collinearity, and in-centre ratios, making it one of the hardest coordinate geometry questions in recent DSE history.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Mathematics (Compulsory Part)
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle p
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle p
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard.
While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
- Level 5**
- ~91% of max
- Level 5*
- ~82% of max
- Level 5
- ~75% of max
Session analysis
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle properties, collinearity, and in-centre ratios, making it one of the hardest coordinate geometry questions in recent DSE history.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (Structured):
Paper 2 (MC):
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.
Paper 1 Part A2 & B)
70·10·47%
150marksMultiple-choice
45·45·30%
Paper 1 Part A1)
35·9·23%
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 1 Section A(1)
0.78 m/minPaper 1 Section A(2)
0.70 m/minPaper 1 Section B
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Section A
0.50 m/minTotal marks
115
Total time
170 min
Avg pace
0.68
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Linear Programming (Structured)
85%85%
3D Frustum and Sphere Recasting
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
The 2023 paper is classified as moderate-hard. While Section A(1) offered standard, approachable marks for well-prepared candidates, Section B pushed the limits of coordinate geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, Paper 1 Q19 required a sophisticated synthesis of circle properties, collinearity, and in-centre ratios, making it one of the hardest coordinate geometry questions in recent DSE history.
Where the Marks Are
Securing a Level 3 or 4 relied heavily on clearing Section A(1) with near-perfect accuracy (35 marks) and capitalizing on standard topics in Section A(2), such as More about Polynomials (Q13) and Variations (Q12). In Paper 2, basic percentage change and simple statistical calculations served as stable foundations.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 45
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.