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CHEMISTRY · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE

CHEMISTRY/11

C (Core Theory)

Chemistry · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.2/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.2 / 5

Total marks

180

Duration

195 min

Most tested topic

Separation, analytical techniques, and solubility plotting

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

180

Duration

195 min

Session difficulty

3.2 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment.

2

Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application.

3

Paper 1C offered plenty of entry points through core reactivity trends and simple atomic structure, while Paper 2C increased the cognitive load with physical chemistry concepts, solubility plotting, and multi-step bond energy profiles.

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 & Understanding6
Basic Skills5
Mathematical & Calculation4
Experimental3
Logical Explanation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Recall & UnderstandingRecall &UnderstandingBasic SkillsBasic SkillsMathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationExperimentalExperimentalLogical ExplanationLogicalExplanation
SkillWeightShare
  • Recall & Understanding

    Weight: 6100%
  • Basic Skills

    Weight: 583%
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 467%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 350%
  • Logical 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

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

GiveFrequency: 14

Match the expected response style for “Give” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 12

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

CalculateFrequency: 8

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

StateFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 6

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

DeduceFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1C (First Hal…70m / 63 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 1C (Second Ha…35m / 33 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 2C (First Hal…40m / 37 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Elements, compounds and mixtures

27 marks this session

Energetics

18 marks this session

Crude oil

15 marks this session

Reactivity series

14 marks this session

Chemical formulae, equations and calculations

14 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
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Chemical formulae, equations and calculations

27
14
17
58

Energetics

18
19
37

Crude oil

15
14
29

Elements, compounds and mixtures

27
27

Alcohols

17
17

Reactivity series

14
14

Rates of reaction

12
12

Alkenes

12
12

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202320242025
2023 2023 · 3.4/52024 2024 · 3.2/52025 June 2025 · 3.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1C:

110 marks120 min

Paper 2C:

70 marks75 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 Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment.

  • 2Message

    Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application.

  • 3Message

    Paper 1C offered plenty of entry points through core reactivity trends and simple atomic structure, while Paper 2C increased the cognitive load with physical chemistry concepts, solubility plotting, and multi-step bond energy profiles.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Chemistry

The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment. Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application. Paper 1C offered plenty of entry

  • The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment.

  • Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application.

  • Paper 1C offered plenty of entry points through core reactivity trends and simple atomic structure, while Paper 2C increased the cognitive load with physical chemistry concepts, solubility plotting, and multi-step bond energy profiles.

Total marks
180
Duration
195 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5

Session analysis

The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment. Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application. Paper 1C offered plenty of entry points through core reactivity trends and simple atomic structure, while Paper 2C increased the cognitive load with physical chemistry concepts, solubility plotting, and multi-step bond energy profiles.

Updated Jun 13, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1C:

110 marks120 min

Paper 2C:

70 marks75 min

Top chapters

Elements, compounds and mixtures27 marks
Energetics18 marks
Crude oil15 marks
Reactivity series14 marks
Chemical formulae, equations and calculations14 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Elements, compounds and mixtures27 marks
Energetics18 marks
Crude oil15 marks
Reactivity series14 marks
Chemical formulae, equations an14 marks
Chemical tests11 marks
Rates of reaction11 marks
Atomic structure10 marks

Mark accessibility

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

83% within easy or medium reach

65
85
30
Easy: 65 marksMedium: 85 marksHard: 30 marks

Command word frequency

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

Give14 times
Explain12 times
Calculate8 times
State8 times
Describe6 times
Deduce4 times

Question type mix

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

180Marks
  • Short Answer

    84·28·47%

  • Structured/Explanation

    58·18·32%

  • Calculation

    30·10·17%

  • Multiple Choice

    8·8·4%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Elements, compound…Crude oil & Cataly…Reactivity Series …Energetics (Enthal…Stoichiometry & Mo…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1C (First Hal…

0.90 m/min
63
70

Paper 1C (Second Ha…

0.94 m/min
33
35

Paper 2C (First Hal…

0.93 m/min
37
40

Total marks

133

Total time

145 min

Avg pace

0.92

Next-year prediction

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

Carboxylic acids

5%

5%

Acids, alkalis and titrations (Full calculations)

4%

4%

Extraction and uses of metals

4%

4%

Difficulty Verdict

The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry papers (1C and 2C) represent a fair yet challenging assessment. Rated at a 3 out of 5 difficulty, the examination beautifully balanced straightforward recall with demanding application. Paper 1C offered plenty of entry points through core reactivity trends and simple atomic structure, while Paper 2C increased the cognitive load with physical chemistry concepts, solubility plotting, and multi-step bond energy profiles.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h
Total marks
110
Weighting
61.1%
Question types
Multiple Choice / Drag-and-Drop Equivalents, Short recall and identification, Graphing & plotting skills, Calculations & quantitative formulas, Longer explanation / structured logic

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

CHEMISTRY/11 — Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (2024) | Revui