4024_s26_gt — 2026 May-June Mathematics D 4024 Grade Threshold · Cambridge CAIE O Level

Show-that questions — circular arguments, skipping bracket expansion

“In 'show that' questions, candidates frequently used circular reasoning by starting from the given answer and working backwards, or skipped essential algebraic steps such as expanding brackets.”— 4024 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: In 'show that' questions, you must start from what is given in the problem and work FORWARDS to reach the stated answer. Never start from the answer. Show every algebraic step — expand every bracket, collect every like term. The examiner needs to see the complete logical chain.

Expressions treated as equations — adding '=0' to solve an expression

“Some candidates treated algebraic expressions as equations, inappropriately setting them equal to zero or attempting to 'solve' when the question asked to simplify or factorise.”— 4024 Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: An expression has no equals sign — you can only simplify or factorise it. An equation HAS an equals sign — you can solve it. If the question says 'simplify' or 'factorise', do NOT add '= 0'. Read the command word carefully before starting.

Standard form arithmetic errors — subtracting numbers before adjusting powers

“Candidates made errors in standard form calculations by attempting to add or subtract numbers in standard form without first converting them to the same power of 10.”— 4024 Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: Before adding or subtracting numbers in standard form, convert them to the SAME power of 10. For example: 3.2 × 10⁴ + 5.1 × 10³ → 32 × 10³ + 5.1 × 10³ = 37.1 × 10³ = 3.71 × 10⁴. For multiplication and division, you can work with the powers separately.