IGCSE Maths 0580 paper structure

Every candidate sits two papers: Papers 1 and 3 for Core, or Papers 2 and 4 for Extended. On each tier the two papers have the same number of marks.

• Paper 1 (Core): non-calculator, 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Paper 3 (Core): calculator, 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Paper 2 (Extended): non-calculator, 100 marks, 2 hours.
• Paper 4 (Extended): calculator, 100 marks, 2 hours.

• Core (Papers 1 and 3): grades C to G. For students who studied the Core content or are expected to get grade D or below.
• Extended (Papers 2 and 4): grades A* to E. For students who studied the Extended content and are expected to get grade C or above.

Tip: If you are aiming for A*, A or B, you must sit the Extended tier. The Core tier cannot award higher than a C.

• Papers 1 and 2: no calculator allowed.
• Papers 3 and 4: a scientific calculator is needed. One with trigonometric functions is strongly recommended.
• Algebraic or graphical calculators are not allowed.

Free lessons: Using a calculator · The four operations

• Every paper has structured questions (with parts such as (a), (b), (c)(i)) and unstructured questions (no parts).
• A single question can test more than one topic.
• You write your answers on the question paper and must show your working in the spaces given.
• A list of formulas is printed on page 2 of each paper, but not every formula is on it. Some, like speed, distance and time, you must learn.

All papers test two assessment objectives. AO1 is knowing and using mathematical techniques. AO2 is analysing, interpreting and communicating mathematically: problem-solving, reasoning and explaining.

• Core papers: about 60–70% AO1 and 30–40% AO2.
• Extended papers: about 40–50% AO1 and 50–60% AO2.

Tip: On the Extended tier, more than half the marks are for problem-solving and reasoning, so practise unfamiliar, wordy questions, not just routine drills.

Questions can come from any of the nine areas of the syllabus: number; algebra and graphs; coordinate geometry; geometry; mensuration; trigonometry; transformations and vectors; probability; and statistics.

The Extended syllabus includes everything in Core plus extra content, such as surds, exponential growth and decay, functions, differentiation, the sine and cosine rules, conditional probability and histograms. The exact mix of topics changes from paper to paper, so revise all of it.

Free lessons: Surds · Exponential growth and decay · Functions · Differentiation · Non-right-angled triangles · Conditional probability · Histograms

• A pair of compasses, a protractor and a ruler (for all papers).
• A scientific calculator for Papers 3 and 4.
• Tracing paper is allowed, but you must ask for it in the exam. You cannot bring your own.

Free lesson: Ruler, protractor and compasses

Cambridge sets grade thresholds after each exam series, based on how hard the papers were. They move by a few marks each time, so no fixed percentage guarantees a grade. As a rough guide only, an A* on the Extended tier usually needs a mark in the 80s per cent.