The normal distribution: past paper questions
Real questions on the normal distribution
The newest 20 of 140 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[4]
4-mark “Use” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q2[8]
8-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[3]
3-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[1]
1-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[4]
4-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[1]
1-mark “State” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[3]
3-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[1]
1-mark “Explain” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
4-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[6]
6-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[1]
1-mark “State” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[5]
5-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/51 · May/June 2025 · Q1[3]
3-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/51 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[4]
4-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/52 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[4]
4-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/52 · May/June 2025 · Q7b[5]
5-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[5]
5-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[5]
5-mark “Find” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/62 · May/June 2025 · Q5[4]
4-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 9709/63 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(i)[2]
2-mark “State” question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The best solutions often included a simple sketch of the normal distribution curve to help interpret the success criteria. Almost all candidates were able to apply the normal standardisation formula accurately at least once. A few candidates assumed that the probability area would be symmetrical and used this fact to inaccurately calculate their probability area.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9709/52 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
This standard question required a variable in the standardisation formula to be found. Candidates should be aware that if the probability is a ‘critical value’ then the appropriate z-value from the critical value section of the normal tables must be used, as this is a component skill. The most frequent error was to equate the standardisation formula to a probability, 0.5398 being the most common v...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9709/52 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
The standardisation required was carried out successfully by many candidates. Weaker solutions used a continuity correction, despite the data being continuous. The normal distribution tables were not used accurately in some solutions. Most candidates who obtained a probability that an egg was classified as small did not convert their answer to a percentage as required by the question. It is good p...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9709/51 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
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