ACCOUNTING · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
ACCOUNTING/22
Financial Statements (4AC1/02)
Accounting · 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
150
195 min
Financial statements of a sole trader
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
195 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
High scoring was achieved in the mechanical preparation of the Sole Trader Income Statement (Paper 2, Q1) and the Statement of Financial Position (Paper 2, Q2).
Candidates who carefully applied year-end adjustments—such as adjusting motor vehicle expenses for the purchase of a new motor vehicle—reaped significant marks.
However, significant marks were lost in Paper 1, Question 15(c), where students were tasked with correcting errors via journal entries.
Many failed to include the required narratives or struggled to correctly identify and name the specific type of error (e.g., error of commission, omission, or principle).
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.
Double-Entry-Entry-Entry-entry Adjustment Accuracy
Weight: 6100%Evaluation & Analysis
Weight: 350%Financial Statements
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
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.
Match the expected response style for “Prepare” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Financial statements of a sole trader
30 marks this session
Control accounts
16 marks this session
Bank reconciliation statements
16 marks this session
Correction of errors
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
Financial statements of a partnership
Books of original entry
Correction of errors
Financial statements of a manufacturer
Incomplete records
Financial statements of a sole trader
Trial balance
Bank reconciliation statements
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1R: Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting:
Paper 2R: Financial Statements:
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
Financial statements of a sole trader
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiControl accounts
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBank reconciliation statements
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCorrection of errors
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
High scoring was achieved in the mechanical preparation of the Sole Trader Income Statement (Paper 2, Q1) and the Statement of Financial Position (Paper 2, Q2).
- 2Message
Candidates who carefully applied year-end adjustments—such as adjusting motor vehicle expenses for the purchase of a new motor vehicle—reaped significant marks.
- 3Message
However, significant marks were lost in Paper 1, Question 15(c), where students were tasked with correcting errors via journal entries.
- 4Message
Many failed to include the required narratives or struggled to correctly identify and name the specific type of error (e.g., error of commission, omission, or principle).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Accounting
High scoring was achieved in the mechanical preparation of the Sole Trader Income Statement (Paper 2, Q1) and the Statement of Financial Position (Paper 2, Q2). Candidates who carefully applied year-end adjustments—such as adjusting motor vehicle expenses for the purchase of a ne
High scoring was achieved in the mechanical preparation of the Sole Trader Income Statement (Paper 2, Q1) and the Statement of Financial Position (Paper 2, Q2).
Candidates who carefully applied year-end adjustments—such as adjusting motor vehicle expenses for the purchase of a new motor vehicle—reaped significant marks.
However, significant marks were lost in Paper 1, Question 15(c), where students were tasked with correcting errors via journal entries.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 195 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
High scoring was achieved in the mechanical preparation of the Sole Trader Income Statement (Paper 2, Q1) and the Statement of Financial Position (Paper 2, Q2). Candidates who carefully applied year-end adjustments—such as adjusting motor vehicle expenses for the purchase of a new motor vehicle—reaped significant marks. However, significant marks were lost in Paper 1, Question 15(c), where students were tasked with correcting errors via journal entries. Many failed to include the required narratives or struggled to correctly identify and name the specific type of error (e.g., error of commission, omission, or principle). Similarly, in Paper 1, Question 14(b), failing to apply trade discounts to sales returns led to avoidable errors.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1R: Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting:
Paper 2R: Financial Statements:
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.
Bookkeeping Practice
59·8·39%
Short Answer / Theory
31·12·21%
Preparation of Final Accounts
30·2·20%
Evaluation & Analysis
20·4·13%
Multiple Choice
10·10·7%
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 (…
0.83 m/minTotal marks
75
Total time
90 min
Avg pace
0.83
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Financial statements of a partnership
95%95%
Financial statements of a manufacturer
90%90%
Incomplete records
75%75%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 33.3%
- Question types
- Manufacturing Accounts, Financial Statements of Sole Traders or Partnerships, Ratios, Evaluation Essays
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.