MATHEMATICS-SPECIFICATION-A · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
MATHEMATICS-SPECIFICATION-A/22
H: Higher Tier
Mathematics Specification A · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
200
240 min
Equations, formulae and identities (Algebraic manipulation, simultaneous and quadratic equations)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
200
Duration
240 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty.
However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understanding.
While Paper 1HR featured heavy procedural demands in algebraic manipulation, Paper 2HR elevated the challenge with non-routine multi-step geometry and vector methods.
Candidates who relied on rote memorisation struggled with late-paper problem-solving, whereas mathematically fluent students were able to demonstrate clear, structured working.
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
Weight: 8100%Fluency
Weight: 788%Geometric & Graphical Reasoning
Weight: 675%Trigonometry
Weight: 563%Statistical &
Weight: 450%Arithmetic &
Weight: 338%Problem Solving & Reasoning
Weight: 225%Formulati
Weight: 113%
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
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.
Match the expected response style for “out” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “down” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Algebraic manipulation
19 marks this session
Quadratic equations
15 marks this session
Mensuration of 2D shapes
15 marks this session
Trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
15 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
Trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
Algebraic manipulation
Algebraic manipulation (Equations, formulae and identities)
Powers and roots
Percentages (Numbers and the number system)
Probability (Statistics and probability)
Quadratic equations
Mensuration of 2D shapes
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1HR:
Paper 2HR:
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
Algebraic manipulation
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiQuadratic equations
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMensuration of 2D shapes
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTrigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty.
- 2Message
However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understanding.
- 3Message
While Paper 1HR featured heavy procedural demands in algebraic manipulation, Paper 2HR elevated the challenge with non-routine multi-step geometry and vector methods.
- 4Message
Candidates who relied on rote memorisation struggled with late-paper problem-solving, whereas mathematically fluent students were able to demonstrate clear, structured working.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Mathematics Specification A
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty. However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understa
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty.
However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understanding.
While Paper 1HR featured heavy procedural demands in algebraic manipulation, Paper 2HR elevated the challenge with non-routine multi-step geometry and vector methods.
- Total marks
- 200
- Duration
- 240 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty. However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understanding. While Paper 1HR featured heavy procedural demands in algebraic manipulation, Paper 2HR elevated the challenge with non-routine multi-step geometry and vector methods. Candidates who relied on rote memorisation struggled with late-paper problem-solving, whereas mathematically fluent students were able to demonstrate clear, structured working.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1HR:
Paper 2HR:
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.
70% 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.
problem_solving
56·12·28%
numerical_and_arithmetic
32·10·16%
algebraic_manipulation
31·8·16%
data_and_probability
29·7·14%
geometric_proofs_and_properties
27·6·14%
graphs_and_functions
25·6·13%
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 1HR - Section…
0.79 m/minPaper 1HR - Section…
0.85 m/minPaper 2HR - Section…
0.82 m/minTotal marks
163
Total time
200 min
Avg pace
0.81
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
3D trigonometry and bearings
85%85%
Composite and inverse functions (with domain restrictions)
80%80%
Histogram interpreting and comparison
75%75%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The Summer 2024 Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A Higher Tier papers (1HR and 2HR) maintained a robust level of rigour, aligning with standard historical difficulty. However, they presented several unique algebraic and geometric hurdles that tested deep conceptual understanding. While Paper 1HR featured heavy procedural demands in algebraic manipulation, Paper 2HR elevated the challenge with non-routine multi-step geometry and vector methods. Candidates who relied on rote memorisation struggled with late-paper problem-solving, whereas mathematically fluent students were able to demonstrate clear, structured working.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Insufficient Geometric Explanations: In circle theorem tasks, candidates frequently lost the communication marks by writing incomplete reasons. Saying 'angle at center is double' was deemed insufficient; the full phrase 'Angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference' must be stated clearly.
- Scaling Area and Volume: In the similar shapes question (similar vases), a common pitfall was applying the linear ratio directly to the difference of surface areas, completely neglecting the quadratic scaling factor k2k^2k2.
- Calculus and Stationary Points: When differentiating cubics to locate coordinates of stationary points, a significant number of candidates failed to substitute x=6x = 6x=6 back into the original cubic equation to obtain the corresponding yyy-value, instead mistakenly substituting into the derivative dy/dxdy/dxdy/dx.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Answer, Structured, Complex
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.