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Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds, although it can be taken by students of other ages. It is tried, tested and trusted.
Students can choose from 70 subjects in any combination – it is taught by over 4500 schools in over 140 countries.
Key Features
- The course is tiered to allow all candidates to achieve and progress in their mathematical studies.
- Our approach in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics encourages learners to be:
- confident, in using mathematical language and techniques to ask questions, explore ideas and communicate
- responsible, by taking ownership of their learning, and applying their mathematical knowledge and skills so that they can reason, problem solve and work collaboratively
- reflective, by making connections within mathematics and across other subjects, and in evaluating methods and checking solutions
- innovative, by applying their knowledge and understanding to solve unfamiliar problems creatively, flexibly and efficiently
- engaged, by the beauty, patterns and structure of mathematics, becoming curious to learn about its many applications in society and the economy
Aims
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
- Develop a positive attitude towards mathematics in a way that encourages enjoyment, establishes confidence and promotes enquiry and further learning.
- Develop a feel for number and understand the significance of the results obtained.
- Apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to their own lives and the world around them.
- Use creativity and resilience to analyse and solve problems.
- Communicate mathematics clearly.
- Develop the ability to reason logically, make inferences and draw conclusions.
- Develop fluency so that they can appreciate the interdependence of, and connections between, different areas of mathematics.
- Acquire a foundation for further study in mathematics and other subjects.
Content Overview
All candidates study the following topics:
- 1 Number
- 2 Algebra and graphs
- 3 Coordinate geometry
- 4 Geometry
- 5 Mensuration
- 6 Trigonometry
- 7 Transformations and vectors
- 8 Probability
- 9 Statistics
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics is tiered to enable effective differentiation for learners.
- The Core subject content is intended for learners targeting grades C–G.
- The Extended subject content is intended for learners targeting grades A*–C. The Extended subject content contains the Core subject content as well as additional content.
The subject content is organised by topic and is not presented in a teaching order. This content structure and the use of tiering allows flexibility for teachers to plan delivery in a way that is appropriate for their learners. Learners are expected to use techniques listed in the content and apply them to solve problems with or without the use of a calculator, as appropriate.
Assessment Overview
General Information
All candidates take two components. Candidates who have studied the Core subject content, or who are expected to achieve a grade D or below, should be entered for Paper 1 and Paper 3. These candidates will be eligible for grades C to G.
Candidates who have studied the Extended subject content, and who are expected to achieve a grade C or above, should be entered for Paper 2 and Paper 4. These candidates will be eligible for grades A* to E.
Candidates should have a scientific calculator for Paper 3 and Paper 4. Calculators are not allowed for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Please see the Cambridge Handbook at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide for guidance on the use of calculators in the examinations.
Core Assessment
Core candidates take Paper 1 and Paper 3. The questions are based on the Core subject content only:
- Paper 1: Non-calculator (Core)
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 50%
- Structured and unstructured questions
- Use of a calculator is not allowed
- Externally assessed
- Paper 3: Calculator (Core)
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 50%
- Structured and unstructured questions
- A scientific calculator is required
- Externally assessed
Extended Assessment
Extended candidates take Paper 2 and Paper 4. The questions are based on the Extended subject content only:
- Paper 2: Non-calculator (Extended)
- 2 hours
- 100 marks
- 50%
- Structured and unstructured questions
- Use of a calculator is not allowed
- Externally assessed
- Paper 4: Calculator (Extended)
- 2 hours
- 100 marks
- 50%
- Structured and unstructured questions
- A scientific calculator is required
- Externally assessed
Information on availability is in the Before you start section.
Assessment Objectives
AO1 Knowledge and Understanding of Mathematical Techniques
Candidates should be able to:
- Recall and apply mathematical knowledge and techniques.
- Carry out routine procedures in mathematical and everyday situations.
- Understand and use mathematical notation and terminology.
- Perform calculations with and without a calculator.
- Organise, process, present, and understand information in written form, tables, graphs, and diagrams.
- Estimate, approximate, and work to degrees of accuracy appropriate to the context and convert between equivalent numerical forms.
- Understand and use measurement systems in everyday use.
- Measure and draw using geometrical instruments to an appropriate degree of accuracy.
- Recognise and use spatial relationships in two and three dimensions.
AO2 Analyse, Interpret and Communicate Mathematically
Candidates should be able to:
- Analyse a problem and identify a suitable strategy to solve it, including using a combination of processes where appropriate.
- Make connections between different areas of mathematics.
- Recognise patterns in a variety of situations and make and justify generalisations.
- Make logical inferences and draw conclusions from mathematical data or results.
- Communicate methods and results in a clear and logical form.
- Interpret information in different forms and change from one form of representation to another.
Weighting for Assessment Objectives
The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarised below.
Assessment objectives as a percentage of the Core qualification
| Assessment Objective | Weighting in IGCSE % |
|---|---|
| AO1 Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques | 60–70 |
| AO2 Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically | 30–40 |
| Total | 100 |
Assessment objectives as a percentage of the Extended qualification
| Assessment Objective | Weighting in IGCSE % |
|---|---|
| AO1 Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques | 40–50 |
| AO2 Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically | 50–60 |
| Total | 100 |
Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component
| Assessment Objective | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | Paper 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques | 60–70 | 40–50 | 60–70 | 40–50 |
| AO2 Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically | 30–40 | 50–60 | 30–40 | 50–60 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge, and engage your learners. Where appropriate, you are responsible for selecting resources and examples to support your learners’ study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural background, and learning context, as well as complying with your school policies and local legal requirements.
Learners should pursue an integrated course that allows them to fully develop their skills and understanding both with and without the use of a calculator.
Candidates study either the Core subject content or the Extended subject content. Candidates aiming for grades A* to C should study the Extended subject content.
A List of formulas is provided on page 2 of the examination papers for candidates to refer to during the examinations. Please note that not all required formulas are given; the ‘Notes and examples’ column of the subject content will indicate where a formula is given in the examination papers and when a formula is not given, i.e., knowledge of a formula is required.