What are past question papers and mark schemes?

Past question papers and mark schemes are published as an aid to teachers, to indicate the requirement of the examination. The mark schemes show the basis on which examiners were initially instructed to award marks, but do not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an examiners' meeting before marking began. Any substantial changes to the mark scheme that arose from these discussions will be recorded in the published Report on the Examination.

Please note that the answers provided in the mark scheme are the ones looked for by examiners and, therefore, the most useful for teaching purposes. However they are not necessarily the only answers given credit on the occasion of a particular examination. Alternative wording to that given can often be acceptable.

Cambridge will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with either the past question papers or the mark schemes.