Cambridge IGCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2024 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

The May/June 2024 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry series presents a balanced, rigorous assessment across Core, Extended, and Practical components. The papers heavily emphasise quantitative mole calculations, chemical energetics, reversible equilibria, experimental separation design, and organic structures including addition polymers and esterification.

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.4/5

Total marks

160

Duration

180 mins

Most tested

Quantitative Analysis and Stoichiometric Mole Calculations

Paper breakdown

Paper 21 (Multiple Choice Extended): 40 marks · 45 minsPaper 41 (Theory Extended): 80 marks · 75 minsPaper 61 (Alternative to Practical): 40 marks · 60 mins

Top chapters

Stoichiometry (The mole, empirical formulae & water of crystallisation) · 24 marksExperimental techniques and chemical analysis · 22 marksOrganic chemistry (Alkenes, Polymers, Esters) · 20 marksMetals (Extraction, Reactivity & Corrosion) · 18 marksAtoms, elements and compounds (Bonding & Structure) · 17 marks

Executive Overview & Exam Verdict

The May/June 2024 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) exam papers evaluated fundamental conceptual knowledge alongside advanced analytical problem-solving. Across the theoretical (Papers 31 & 41), multiple choice (Papers 11 & 21), and experimental components (Papers 51 & 61), the overall difficulty sits firmly at a moderate-to-challenging level (3.4 / 5.0). The theory papers placed high weighting on stoichiometry, reversible reaction dynamics, qualitative analysis, and organic synthesis pathways.

Where the Marks Were Won & Lost

Significant mark allocations were concentrated in core structured areas:

Stoichiometry & Quantitative Calculations: The determination of water of crystallisation in hydrated cobalt(II) sulfate (\(\text{CoSO}_4\cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) and organic empirical formulae calculations rewarded candidates who presented clean, step-by-step arithmetic and appropriate significant figures.
Chemical Energetics & Reaction Kinetics: Practical and alternative-to-practical questions demanded precise graphical plotting, line of best fit drafting, and rate evaluations with correct dimensional units (\(^{\circ}\text{C}/\text{s}\)).
Metals & Environmental Chemistry: Blast furnace reaction sequences, amphoteric oxide characterisations, and sacrificial protection explanations required explicit references to oxidation and electron loss.

Common Pitfalls & Examiner Nuances

Examiner feedback underscores several recurring errors:

Confusing intermolecular forces with ionic bonds when explaining melting point differences between covalent gases and giant ionic lattices.
Omitting essential experimental steps in salt purification, such as washing residues with distilled water and drying between filter papers.
Failing to state heating to constant mass when confirming complete loss of water of hydration.
Misnaming monomers derived from polymer backbones (e.g., drawing but-2-ene instead of but-1-ene).

Strategic Revision & Topic Predictions

For subsequent exam sessions, priority revision should focus on Electrochemistry & Fuel Cells, Acid-Base Titration calculations, and Condensation Polymerisation (polyamides and polyesters), which are strongly projected to see increased weightings.

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Charts

Marks by chapter

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Question type mix

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Multiple Choice40 marks · 40 questions
Short Structured & Data Interpretation62 marks · 28 questions
Calculations & Numerical Working18 marks · 6 questions
Extended Practical & Method Design40 marks · 8 questions

Mark accessibility

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80%within easy or medium reach

easy: 56 marksmedium: 72 markshard: 32 marks

Difficulty trend

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Command word frequency

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Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Study ROI

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

Stoichiometry & Mole Calculations

18 marks · Difficulty 3.8 · recurrence 5%

Qualitative Analysis & Salt Preparation

17 marks · Difficulty 2.5 · recurrence 5%

Extraction of Metals & Reactivity Series

16 marks · Difficulty 2.4 · recurrence 5%

Equilibria & Industrial Physical Chemistry

12 marks · Difficulty 3.5 · recurrence 5%

Organic Homologous Series & Polymers

14 marks · Difficulty 3.2 · recurrence 5%

Time vs marks

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marksmins

Next-year prediction

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

Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells and Bond Energy Calculations90%

Underrepresented in theoretical paper 41 this series; core energetics and bond enthalpy profiles frequently cycle into prominent Question 2/3 slots.

Condensation Polymers (Nylon and PET Ester Linkages)88%

Addition polymerisation of but-2-ene was examined; synthetic condensation polymerisation drawing block units remains heavily favored in winter series.

Acid-Base Titration Calculation (Stoichiometric Volume & Concentration)85%

Featured only in practical identification and conceptual apparatus questions in this session; quantitative molarity titration problems are due.

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

Topic-year heatmap

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Jun 2023 (V1)

Jun 2023 (V2)

Jun 2023 (V3)

Nov 2023 (V1)

Nov 2023 (V2)

Nov 2023 (V3)

Jun 2024 (V1)

Separation and purification

Atomic structure and the Periodic Table

Isotopes

Relative masses of atoms and molecules

Ions and ionic bonds

Simple molecules and covalent bonds

Rate of reaction

The mole and the Avogadro constant

Physical and chemical changes

Electrolysis

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Stating that ionic compounds have 'intermolecular bonds' rather than strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions.
Forgetting that hydrated salt experiments require heating to constant mass to ensure all water is fully evolved.
Confusing sacrificial protection with a simple barrier method when explaining galvanized iron protection.
Drawing monomers with double bonds having incorrect valencies (e.g. pentavalent carbons) or failing to show all displayed bonds.

Misconceptions

Believing catalysts change the position of equilibrium rather than solely increasing the rates of forward and reverse reactions equally.
Assuming adding an inert gas or changing total pressure affects an equilibrium system where moles of gaseous reactants equal moles of gaseous products.
Thinking zinc prevents rust because iron is more reactive, rather than zinc being more reactive and oxidising preferentially.

Where marks are lost

Omitting state symbols in ionic precipitation equations (e.g., Pb2+(aq) + 2Br-(aq) -> PbBr2(s)).
Failing to state units in experimental rates (omitting °C/s or writing incorrect dimensions).
Vague descriptions of salt purification steps, omitting washing the residue with distilled water and drying between filter papers.

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