IGCSE Maths
Revision
for
CIE Extended
Paper 2 has no calculator and Paper 4 does. Practise both 0580 Extended papers and build towards a grade B or C.
Your exam at a glance
Formulas are printed inside each question paper
What CIE, 0580 and Extended Mean
Three quick definitions before you start the past papers.
The exam board
Cambridge International, the body that creates and marks the exam. CIE is the older common name. The current official name is Cambridge International Education.
The syllabus code
The code for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics. Grades go from A* (highest) down to G (lowest), passing through A, B, C, D, E and F on the way.
The higher tier
Extended candidates sit Paper 2 and Paper 4 and can earn A*, A, B, C, D or E. A* is the highest grade available. Students aiming for grade D or below sit the Core tier (Papers 1 and 3) instead.
How to Improve with CIE IGCSE Past Papers
The four-step revision loop. Turn mistakes into marks.
Do a paper
Start with a recent 0580 Paper 2 (non-calculator) or Paper 4 (calculator).
Mark it
Use the Cambridge mark scheme to see where method and accuracy marks were lost.
Fix weak topics
Fix the 2-3 topics costing the most of the 200 marks before anything else.
Test again
Sit the same paper number from another session and compare your mark.
CIE IGCSE Extended Past Papers and Mark Schemes
Past papers are the fastest way to see where the marks are going.
- V1Variant 1. Sat in earlier time-zones, mostly Asia and the Pacific.
- V2Variant 2. The most common worldwide and the only variant in March.
- V3Variant 3. Sat in later time-zones, mostly the Americas.
CIE IGCSE Extended Grade Boundaries
See recent grade B and C boundaries and what marks you usually need. Each session has three variants, so pick yours below.
Grade boundaries by year
June series, Variant 2 · /200What your current score usually means
Based on June, Variant 2 · out of 200Not yet secure for a recent grade C
Recent grade C boundary zone
Between C and B, building toward B
Recent grade B boundary zone
Strong Extended performance, pushing toward A
Topics Worth the Most Marks
on CIE IGCSE Extended
Pick the topic costing you the most marks and start there.
Algebra
Algebra is the main grade-mover. Master simplifying, equations, sequences and graphs, and you protect many of the marks needed for a secure B or C.
Set out one step per line. Clear working can still earn marks even if the final answer is wrong.
Geometry and Measures
Geometry rewards accuracy. Mark the diagram carefully, use the correct formula, and give reasons when angles are involved.
Add information to the diagram first: angles, equal sides, lengths and units. Then choose your method.
Number
Number skills stop easy marks being lost. Fractions, indices, standard form, bounds and rounding should feel automatic.
Do not round during working. Keep full values until the final answer, then round to the accuracy asked for.
Ratio and Proportion
Ratio and percentage questions are frequent and very winnable. Use multipliers, unit values and clear proportion steps.
For reverse percentages, divide by the multiplier. Do not just subtract the percentage.
Probability and Statistics
Some of the safest marks on the paper. Learn the common shapes of chart, average, probability, tree and Venn diagram questions and most of these come back every year.
For probability, write the total outcomes first. For two events, multiply along branches and add separate routes.
CIE IGCSE Extended Maths FAQs
Quick answers to the most common revision questions.
Start with one timed past paper first. Your mistakes show which topics are costing you marks, so you can revise the right things instead of guessing.
Stuck on a past paper question?
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