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Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics Past Papers
Official question papers, mark schemes and examiner reports.
180 papers19 exam sessionsFree to download
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Navigator’s note
Premature Rounding
Keep the full calculator value throughout your working and only round at the very end.
All 6 examiner tipsOther destinations
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics papers by session
November 2021
12 papersLatest seriesCore tier· 6
Extended tier· 6
June 2021
12 papersCore tier· 6
Extended tier· 6
March 2021
4 papersCore tier· 2
Extended tier· 2
Examiner InsightsCambridge IGCSE Mathematics
Where marks are made.
Spot the common mistake. Make the precise correction.
01Common mistake
Premature Rounding
Students often round intermediate values too early in multi-step calculations, which can make the final answer inaccurate. This is especially common in trigonometry and compound interest questions.
How to solve it
Keep the full calculator value throughout your working and only round at the very end.
Unless the question says otherwise, give final numerical answers to 3 significant figures and angles in degrees to 1 decimal place.
Check the command word before you write.
02Common mistake
Algebraic Brackets
Students often make mistakes when expanding brackets with a negative sign or when collecting like terms involving negative numbers. For example, is sometimes expanded incorrectly
How to solve it
Treat a negative sign outside a bracket as multiplying the entire expression by −1, so every term is affected.
Work one line at a time and check signs carefully when expanding or simplifying.
Check the command word before you write.
03Common mistake
Confusing Linear, Area and Volume Scale Factors
Students often use the wrong scale factor when working with similar shapes or solids. For example, they may assume that doubling a length also doubles the area or volume
How to solve it
Remember that if the linear scale factor is , the area scale factor is and the volume scale factor is .
Always identify whether the question is asking about length, area or volume before calculating.
Check the command word before you write.
04Common mistake
Confusing Simple and Compound Interest
Students often mix up simple and compound interest, or calculate the interest only when the question asks for the total amount.
How to solve it
Check whether the question says simple or compound interest.
For simple interest, use and add the interest to the original principal if the total is required. For compound interest, use , which gives the total amount directly.
Check the command word before you write.
05Common mistake
Time Conversion Errors
Students sometimes treat time as if it were based on 100 rather than 60. For example, they may incorrectly interpret 2.4 hours as 2 hours 40 minutes.
How to solve it
Remember that 1 hour = 60 minutes.
To convert the decimal part of an hour into minutes, multiply it by 60. For example, , so 2.4 hours = 2 hours 24 minutes.
Check the command word before you write.
06Common mistake
Confusing Inverse Functions with Reciprocals
Students often mistake for the reciprocal , even though these represent different ideas.
How to solve it
Remember that means the inverse function, not the reciprocal.
To find it, write , swap x and y, then rearrange the equation to make y the subject.
Check the command word before you write.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any changes to Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) for 2027 compared with 2026?
No. Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) follows the same 2025–2027 syllabus, so the content, assessment structure and paper weightings remain the same in 2027. Resources designed for the 2025–2027 syllabus are therefore suitable for both years.
When was the Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics syllabus last changed?
The most recent major update to Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) took effect for the 2025–2027 exam cycle. The update introduced some new topics, removed others, and applies to exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
What is the difference between Core and Extended in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics, and which should I take?
Core covers the simpler syllabus content and has a maximum grade of C, while Extended includes additional, more demanding content and allows you to achieve up to an A*. If you are aiming for a B, A or A*, you should take Extended; Core is better suited to students aiming to secure a pass at around Grade C or below.
How do I know if Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) is the right syllabus code for me?
Check your school registration, student portal or Statement of Entry for the code 0580. You should also confirm whether you are taking Core or Extended. If you are studying the more advanced Additional Mathematics course, the syllabus code is 0606, which is usually taken alongside 0580 rather than instead of it.
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