Why examiner reports matter

Pearson Edexcel publishes Principal Examiner Feedback (PEF) reports after each exam series. They identify common candidate errors, misconceptions and exam technique issues. The same patterns appear repeatedly—students who learn from them can avoid losing marks.

Cross-subject mistakes (all Edexcel IGCSE)

1. Not showing all working

Candidates frequently lose marks by omitting working steps, especially when using calculators. Method marks are awarded for correct stages—no working means one error can cost all marks.

Fix: Show every step. Even “obvious” calculations. Write down formulae before substituting.

2. Misreading questions and handwriting

Miscopying numbers from questions and misreading own handwriting cause avoidable errors. Examiners cannot credit what they cannot read.

Fix: Write clearly. Check figures when copying. Re-read your answer.

3. Not reading question demands carefully

Candidates often miss key words or answer a different question. They don’t allocate time proportionally to marks.

Fix: Underline key words. Allocate time by marks (e.g. 3 marks = ~3 minutes). Answer the question asked.

4. Problem-solving and method marks

Complex questions cause difficulty, but method marks can be gained even if the final answer is wrong. Blank or minimal working scores zero.

Fix: Attempt every question. Show reasoning. Partial credit is possible.

5. Alternative correct methods

Examiners accept alternative correct methods beyond those in the mark scheme. Don’t assume only one approach is valid—but your method must be correct and shown clearly.

Fix: Use the method you know. Show it clearly. Ensure it’s valid.

Subject-specific patterns

Common mistakes vary by subject. See the individual articles:

• Biology 4BI1
• Chemistry 4CH1
• Physics 4PH1
• Mathematics 4MA1
• English Language
• Science Double Award 4SD0
• Economics 4EC1
• Geography 4GE1
• History 4HI1
• Computer Science
• Business Studies 4BS0

How Tutopiya helps

Tutopiya supports Pearson Edexcel IGCSE with tutors who use examiner reports and mark schemes. Explore IGCSE resources or book a free trial.

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Based on Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Principal Examiner Feedback (2020–2024).