Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

TM
Cambridge IGCSE / IGCSE (9-1)
Physics 0625 / 0972
For examination from 2021
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 v1
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Cambridge
University Press & Assessment is a department of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are
permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres
to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre.
Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................4
Question 1........................................................................................................................................................................6
Example Candidate Response – high..............................................................................................................................6
Example Candidate Response – middle..........................................................................................................................8
Example Candidate Response – low.............................................................................................................................10
Question 2......................................................................................................................................................................13
Example Candidate Response – high............................................................................................................................13
Example Candidate Response – middle........................................................................................................................16
Example Candidate Response – low.............................................................................................................................19
Question 3......................................................................................................................................................................22
Example Candidate Response – high............................................................................................................................22
Example Candidate Response – middle........................................................................................................................25
Example Candidate Response – low.............................................................................................................................29
Question 4......................................................................................................................................................................33
Example Candidate Response – high............................................................................................................................33
Example Candidate Response – middle........................................................................................................................35
Example Candidate Response – low.............................................................................................................................37
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge IGCSETM / IGCSE (9-1) Physics
0625 / 0972, and to show how different levels of candidates’ performance (high, middle and low) relate to the subject’s
curriculum and assessment objectives.
In this booklet, candidate responses have been chosen from the June 2021 series to exemplify a range of answers.
For each question, the response is annotated with a clear explanation of where and why marks were awarded or
omitted. This is followed by examiner comments on how the answer could have been improved. In this way, it is
possible for you to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and what they could do to improve their
answers. There is also a list of common mistakes candidates made in their answers for each question.
This document provides illustrative examples of candidate work with examiner commentary. These help teachers
to assess the standard required to achieve marks beyond the guidance of the mark scheme. Therefore, in some
circumstances, such as where exact answers are required, there will not be much comment
The questions and mark schemes used here are available to download from the School Support Hub. These files are:

0625 June 2021 Question Paper 51

0625 June 2021 Mark Scheme 51

Past exam resources and other teaching and learning resources are available on the School Support Hub:
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

4
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

How to use this booklet

This booklet goes through the paper one question at a time, showing you the high-, middle- and low-level response for
each question. The candidate answers are set in a table. In the left-hand column are the candidate answers, and in
the right-hand column are the examiner comments.

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (c)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(iii) = 2 out of 2

5 The candidate needs to

5 suggest a relevant precaution.
Mark for (d) = 0 out of 1

6 The candidate suggests a

range of values that is just wide
6 enough.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 2

Answers are by real candidates in exam Examiner comments are

conditions. These show you the types of answers for alongside the answers. These
each level. Discuss and analyse the answers with your explain where and why marks
learners in the classroom to improve their skills. were awarded. This helps you
to interpret the standard of
Cambridge exams so you can
help your learners to refine their
exam technique.
How the candidate could have improved their answer
• (b) The candidate needed to place the pins further apart. The further apart the pins were the more accurately
they could have been judged to be exactly in line. Candidates should be advised to place the pins as far apart as
practical with the A4-sized ray-trace sheet. The minimum spacing allowed in this case was 5.0 cm. Candidates who
tried to place their pins exactly 5 cm apart ran the risk of the distance being just under 5 cm, thus losing the mark.
• (d) The candidate needed to suggest an important precaution. Viewing the bases of the pins would have been a
valid precaution as this overcomes the difficulty of trying to ensure that the pins are vertical. Ensuring that the pins
are as far apart as practicable was another useful precaution. Due to the size of the ray-trace sheet, a suggestion
of at least 5 cm apart was acceptable. This section explains how the candidate could
• have improved
(e) The candidate needed to suggest at least 4 extra angles (in addition each
to the answer.
original This helps
30 degrees) you
with astowide
interpret the standard of Cambridge exams
a range as possible, but all under 90 degrees. This would have indicated that the candidate understood that and a
helps
sufficient number of results were required to draw a valid conclusion.your learners to refine their exam technique.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• (b) Common errors were:
◦ placing the pins too close together (less than 5 cm) or trying to place them exactly 5 cm apart and actually
placing them just under 5 cm apart
◦ drawing the incident ray at 60 degrees instead of 30 degrees.
Lists the common mistakes candidates made
• (c)(iii) The most common error was giving the unit cm for the ratio.
Often candidates were not in answering each question. This will help your
• (d) Some candidates suggested inappropriate precautions learners
such as using a darkened
to avoid room (appropriate
these mistakes for the
and give them a ray-
awarded marks because they misread or
box experiment but not this experiment). best chance of achieving the available marks.
misinterpreted the questions.
• (e) Candidates had suggested too few additional angles or too narrow a range of angles, or both.

5
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Question 1

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner comments

Mark for (a) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (b) = 2 out of 2

6
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (c) = 3 out of 3

1 1 The candidate accurately plots

the points and adds an appropriate
line of best fit. The axes are
correctly labelled, but the candidate
chooses a vertical scale that is too
compressed.
Mark for (d) = 3 out of 4

2 2 The reason for the time for one

oscillation likely being inaccurate
is that the reaction time error in
starting and stopping the stopwatch
is significant in comparison with the
time for one oscillation. When timing
10 oscillations, the reaction time
error at the beginning and end of
the time taken for 10 oscillations is
a far smaller percentage of the time
for 10 oscillations. The candidate
needs to make this clear.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 1

Total mark awarded =

9 out of 11

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (d) A scale that produced plots occupying at least half the graph grid in both directions was required.
• (e) The reason why timing 10 oscillations would have given a more accurate result than timing one oscillation was
that the reaction time error in starting and stopping the stopwatch would have been a smaller percentage of the
time taken. The candidate needed to make this clear.

7
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate records a value

out of range.
Mark for (a) = 0 out of 1

2 2 The candidate should obtain

increasing values in the final
column.
Additionally, the candidate does not
record the initial value in the final
column to 3 significant figures.
Mark for (b) = 2 out of 2

8
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (c) = 1 out of 3

3 The candidate chooses

3 a vertical scale that is too
compressed and draws a series of
straight lines joining each plot to the
next, rather than one single best-fit
straight line.
Mark for (d) = 2 out of 4

4 4 The reason for the time for

one oscillation being likely to be
inaccurate is that the reaction
time error in starting and stopping
the stopwatch is significant in
comparison with the time for one
oscillation.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 1

Total mark awarded =

5 out of 11

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (b)(c) The candidate needed to follow the instructions with care to obtain increasing values in the final column. In
the last column, the first value should have been recorded as 2.19 in order to give all the values to 3 significant
figures.
• (d) The axes were labelled correctly, and the points plotted accurately but the candidate chose a horizontal scale
that was too compressed. A scale that produces plots that occupy at least half the graph grid in both directions was
required. The candidate drew a series of straight lines joining each plot to the next when one single best-fit straight
line was required.
• (e) The reason why timing 10 oscillations would have given a more accurate result than timing one oscillation was
that the reaction time error in starting and stopping the stopwatch would have been a smaller percentage of the
time taken. When recording the total time for 10 oscillations, the reaction time error at the beginning and end of the
time taken is a much smaller percentage of the time taken for the 10 oscillations. The candidate needed to make
this clear.

9
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low Examiner comments

Mark for (a) = 1 out of 1

1 1 In the final column of Table 1.1,

the candidate does not give values
of T squared.
The values are not increasing,
showing that the candidate may
be using d values, as in the first
column of the table, in place of the
x values.
The candidate needs to use
consistent significant figures in the
final column.
Mark for (b) = 1 out of 2

10
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (c) = 0 out of 3

2 2 The candidate does not label

the axes of the graph, or draw a
best-fit straight line which, in this
case, is difficult because the results
are not as expected.
Mark for (d) = 2 out of 4

3 The candidate is incorrect.

3 The reason for the time for one
oscillation being likely to be
inaccurate is that the reaction
time error in starting and stopping
the stopwatch is significant in
comparison with the time for one
oscillation.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 1

Total mark awarded =

4 out of 11

11
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (b), (c) In Table 1.1, the candidate recorded a value of t within range but made a mistake when dividing by 10 to
obtain the period T. In the final column, the candidate did not give correct values for T2.
• (b), (c) The times recorded were not increasing. This suggested that the candidate had adjusted the length of the
pendulum to equal the values of x in the table. The candidate needed to use a consistent number of significant
figures for T2.
• (d) The candidate needed to label the axes of the graph as given in the instruction. The candidate also needed to
draw a best-fit straight line. In this case, the results were not as expected. The candidate could have circled the
final plot to identify it as an anomalous result (not within the trend of the other plots) and then drawn a best-fit line
appropriate for the remaining plots.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• (b), (c) A common error was using an inconsistent number of significant figures when recording T2.
• (d) A common error was for candidates to draw graphs with compressed scales (usually the vertical scale) such
that the plotted points did not occupy at least one half of the graph grid. The question stated that the axes did not
have to start at the origin (0,0) but this advice was not always heeded.
• (e) Many candidates suggested that the greater accuracy was due to ‘taking an average’ rather than realising
that the reason for the time for one oscillation being less accurate was that the reaction time error in starting and
stopping the stopwatch would be more significant when timing one oscillation compared with when timing 10
oscillations. When timing 10 oscillations, this reaction time error at the beginning and end of the oscillations would
be a much smaller percentage of the time taken.

12
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Question 2

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner comments

Mark for (a)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(iii) = 1 out of 1

13
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (b) = 2 out of 2

Mark for (c) = 2 out of 2

14
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate correctly draws

two resistors in parallel and includes
the ammeter in series but does not
place the voltmeter in parallel with
the resistors.
Mark for (d) = 1 out of 2

2 2 The candidate sensibly

suggests adding more resistors in
parallel but needs the extra detail of
adding at least three more resistors,
one at a time.
Mark for (e) = 1 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

9 out of 11

15
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate does not give

the units but does give realistic
readings with suitable precision.
Mark for (a)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(iii) = 1 out of 1

16
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

2 2 The candidate omits the units

at every stage and at this point
there is a mark for correct units, A,
V and Ω, given in (a) or (b) or both
and not contradicted.
Mark for (b) = 1 out of 2

Mark for (c) = 2 out of 2

17
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

3 3 The candidate correctly draws

two resistors in parallel and includes
the ammeter in series but does not
place the voltmeter in parallel with
the resistors.
Mark for (d) = 1 out of 2

4 4 The candidate sensibly

suggests adding more resistors in
parallel but needs the extra detail of
adding at least three more resistors,
one at a time.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

7 out of 11

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (a), (b) The candidate gave realistic readings with suitable precision, however, the candidate omitted units at each
stage. There was a mark for the correct units, A, V and Ω, given in (a) or (b) or both and not contradicted.
• (e) The candidate needed to describe the adding of at least another three resistors in parallel one at a time.
There were many ways in which this could have been worded and the candidate would have been given credit for
showing that they understood the practical principles and techniques involved.

18
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate does not give

the units but does give realistic
readings with suitable precision.
Mark for (a)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (a)(iii) = 1 out of 1

19
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

2 2 The candidate omits the units

at every stage and, at this point,
there is a mark for correct units, A,
V and Ω, given in (a) or (b) or both
and not contradicted.
Mark for (b) = 1 out of 2

3 3 The candidate does not carry

out the experiment in accordance
with the instructions to obtain a
current value greater than that in
part (a). Correct procedure would
also produce a resistance value
less than that in part (a).
Mark for (c) = 0 out of 2

20
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

4 4 The candidate correctly places

two resistors in parallel and the
ammeter in series.
Mark for (d) = 1 out of 2

5 5 The candidate needs to

describe adding at least another
three resistors in parallel, one at a
time.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

5 out of 11

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (a), (b) The candidate gave realistic readings with suitable precision, however, the candidate omitted units at each
stage. There was a mark for the correct units, A, V and Ω, given in (a) or (b) or both and not contradicted.
• (d) The candidate needed to draw the voltmeter (without a line through it) in parallel with the resistors.
• (e) The candidate needed to describe the adding of at least another three resistors in parallel, one at a time. There
were many ways in which this could have been worded. The candidate would have been given credit for showing
that they understood the practical principles and techniques involved.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• (d) The most common error was to place the voltmeter in series with the other components instead of in parallel
with the resistors.
• (e) Vague answers were common here. Many candidates correctly suggested adding another resistor, but few
suggested adding at least three more resistors (to give a good range of results). Candidates also needed to make
it clear that these resistors should be connected in parallel with a set of readings taken each time another resistor
was added.

21
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Question 3

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner comments

22
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (a) = 2 out of 2

23
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (b) = 2 out of 2

Mark for (c)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(iii) = 2 out of 2

1 1 The candidate needs to

suggest a relevant precaution.
Mark for (d) = 0 out of 1

2 The candidate suggests a

2 range of values that is just wide
enough.
Mark for (e) = 1 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

9 out of 11

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (d) The candidate needed to suggest an important precaution. Viewing the bases of the pins would have been a
valid precaution as this overcomes the difficulty of trying to ensure that the pins are vertical. Ensuring that the pins
are as far apart as practicable would have been another useful precaution. Due to the size of the ray-trace sheet, a
suggestion of at least 5 cm apart was acceptable.
• (e) The candidate suggested a range of values that was just wide enough. However, at least 4 extra angles were
required (in addition to the original 30 degrees).

24
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle Examiner comments

25
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (a) = 2 out of 2

1 The candidate needs to place

1 the pins further apart.
Mark for (b) = 1 out of 2

26
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (c)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(iii) = 2 out of 2

2 The candidate needs to

2 suggest a relevant precaution.
Mark for (d) = 0 out of 1

3 3 The candidate suggests a

range of values that is just wide
enough.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

7 out of 11

27
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (b) The candidate needed to place the pins further apart. The further apart the pins were the more accurately
they could have been judged to be exactly in line. Candidates should be advised to place the pins as far apart as
practical with the A4-sized ray-trace sheet. The minimum spacing allowed in this case was 5.0 cm. Candidates who
tried to place their pins exactly 5 cm apart ran the risk of the distance being just under 5 cm, thus losing the mark.
• (d) The candidate needed to suggest an important precaution. Viewing the bases of the pins would have been a
valid precaution as this overcomes the difficulty of trying to ensure that the pins are vertical. Ensuring that the pins
are as far apart as practicable was another useful precaution. Due to the size of the ray-trace sheet, a suggestion
of at least 5 cm apart was acceptable.
• (e) The candidate needed to suggest at least 4 extra angles (in addition to the original 30 degrees) with as wide
a range as possible, but all under 90 degrees. This would have indicated that the candidate understood that a
sufficient number of results were required to draw a valid conclusion.

28
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low Examiner comments

29
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

Mark for (a) = 2 out of 2

30
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

1 The candidate needs to place

1
the pins much further apart. The
candidate needs to draw the
incident ray at 30 degrees to the
normal.
Mark for (b) = 0 out of 2

Mark for (c)(i) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(ii) = 1 out of 1

Mark for (c)(iii) = 1 out of 2

2 The candidate does not

2
suggest an important precaution.
Mark for (d) = 0 out of 1

3 3 The candidate appears to

suggest two additional values of
b/a, in place of the list of suitable
values for the angle of incidence.
Mark for (e) = 0 out of 2

Total mark awarded =

5 out of 11

31
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• (b) The candidate needed to place the pins further apart. The further apart the pins were the more accurately
they could have been judged to be exactly in line. Candidates should be advised to place the pins as far apart as
practical with the A4-sized ray-trace sheet. The minimum spacing allowed in this case was 5 cm. Candidates who
tried to place their pins exactly 5 cm apart ran the risk of the distance being just under 5 cm, thus losing the mark.
The candidate also needed to draw the incident ray at 30 degrees to the normal. In this case, the candidate had
drawn the ray at 30 degrees to the transparent block.
• (c)(iii) Although the candidate correctly calculated the ratio and realised that no unit was required, the value was
outside the tolerance allowed. This was a mark for the overall quality and therefore relied upon correct work and
accurate values throughout the experiment.
• (d) The candidate needed to suggest an important precaution. Viewing the bases of the pins would have been a
valid precaution as this overcomes the difficulty of trying to ensure that the pins are vertical. Ensuring that the pins
are as far apart as practicable was another useful precaution. Due to the size of the ray-trace sheet, a suggestion
of at least 5 cm apart was acceptable.
• (e) The candidate needed to suggest at least 4 extra angles (in addition to the original 30 degrees) with as wide
a range as possible, but all under 90 degrees. This would have indicated that the candidate understood that a
sufficient number of results were required to draw a valid conclusion. In this case, the candidate appeared to
misread the question and suggested two possible values for b/a. Candidates are advised to check their answers
if they find they have time at the end of the examination. It is also important to check the question to ensure that
it has been understood and answered appropriately. Candidates should also be advised not to change an answer
unless they are sure that the change is necessary.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• (b) Common errors were:
◦ placing the pins too close together (less than 5 cm) or trying to place them exactly 5 cm apart and actually
placing them just under 5 cm apart
◦ drawing the incident ray at 60 degrees instead of 30 degrees.
• (c)(iii) The most common error was giving the unit cm for the ratio.
• (d) Some candidates suggested inappropriate precautions such as using a darkened room (appropriate for a ray-
box experiment but not this experiment).
• (e) Candidates had suggested too few additional angles or too narrow a range of angles, or both.

32
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Question 4

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner comments

33
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate writes a clear

and concise plan covering all
the necessary points apart from
suggesting a key variable to keep
constant.

Total mark awarded =

6 out of 7

How the candidate could have improved their answer

The candidate wrote a clear and concise plan that covered all the necessary points apart from suggesting a key
variable to keep constant. The candidate did use the same time interval (10 minutes) throughout and this was a valid
contribution to the method, but it was not explicitly stated as a key variable. Other possible key variables to keep
constant included the starting temperature and the dimensions or mass of the blocks.

34
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle Examiner comments

35
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner comments

1 1 The candidate needs to explain

that each block is placed in hot
water to raise the temperature and
then removed to allow cooling.

2 2 The candidate uses

an incorrect unit symbol for
temperature.

Total mark awarded =

5 out of 7

How the candidate could have improved their answer

The candidate needed to state clearly that each block must initially be immersed in the hot water and then removed to
allow cooling to take place in the air. In the table, the candidate needed to use the correct unit symbol for temperature,
°C and not C°.

36
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low Examiner comments

37
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner comments

Total mark awarded =

3 out of 7

38
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 5

How the candidate could have improved their answer

• The candidate described a cooling experiment but needed to include reference to having used a stopwatch or other
suitable timing device. The candidate was required to explain that the blocks needed to be removed from the hot
water to allow them to cool.
• The candidate also needed to construct a table with suitable columns and headings for the measurements taken.
• A clear conclusion was also needed. This could have involved either suggesting the plotting of a graph of
temperature against time for each block or comparing temperature drops or times for the different metals. How this
was expressed would have depended upon whether the candidate had used a fixed temperature drop or a fixed
cooling time.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• Candidates described a cooling experiment but did not state the use of a stopwatch (or other suitable timing
device).
• Candidates described immersing the blocks in hot water, but then did not describe removing the blocks from the
hot water to start the cooling process.
• Candidates described pouring hot water into the hole in the block for the thermometer rather than immersing the
block in hot water.
• Candidates wrote vague conclusions or gave no conclusion.
• The bullet points in the question were provided to help candidates organise their answers. Candidates should be
encouraged to use these points to structure their responses. Successful candidates often wrote a concise account
addressing the bullet points in order.

39
Cambridge Assessment International Education
The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8EA, United Kingdom
t: +44 1223 553554
e: [email protected] www.cambridgeinternational.org

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 v1