This is the official Cambridge mark scheme for Thinking Skills (9694) Mark Scheme 3 (Variant 2) from the 2026 May-June session. Mark schemes show exactly how each mark is awarded, including acceptable alternative answers, required key terms, and common errors that lose marks. Cambridge mark schemes use notation like "allow," "accept," and "do not credit" to define the boundary between full marks and zero.
Also referenced as: 9694_s26_ms_32 · 9694/32/m/j/26 ms · 9694/32 May/June 2026 ms
Paper 3: Problem Analysis & Solution (A2) — This is Paper 3: Problem Analysis & Solution (A2), worth 50 marks with a duration of 2h. Four extended multi-part problem-solving questions. Title is 'Problem Analysis AND Solution' — show analysis, not just answers. Look for systematic approaches before brute-forcing possibilities. Logical deduction questions reject hedging language ('likely', 'usually').
This mark scheme corresponds to 9694_s26_qp_32. For maximum revision benefit, attempt the question paper under strict exam conditions first, then use this mark scheme to self-assess. Pay attention to the marking notation: "allow" means an alternative is accepted, "do not credit" means a specific phrasing is rejected even if technically correct, and "ORA" (or reverse argument) means the mark can also be earned with the opposite reasoning.
Cambridge mark schemes reward precise language. For Thinking Skills (9694), look for keywords the examiner requires — definitions must include specific terms (e.g., "per unit mass," "resultant"), and calculations must show working even if the final answer is correct. Understanding mark scheme conventions helps you write answers that hit every marking point, not just the general idea.
