How Many IGCSE Maths Papers Are There?

Choosing your IGCSEs can feel overwhelming. One of the first questions students ask is: "How many maths papers do I actually have to sit?"

It's a fair question. Your exam board and tier make a big difference to your exam schedule. Some students sit two papers. Others sit different versions with different lengths.

Getting confused about paper numbers can lead to poor revision planning. You might end up practising the wrong paper style or misjudging how much time you need.

Here's the good news: once you know your exam board and tier, the structure becomes crystal clear.

At Save My Exams, we've helped thousands of IGCSE students ace their maths exams. We know exactly what you're facing because we've been there. This guide breaks down every exam board so you can focus on what really matters: your revision.

Quick Answer – IGCSE Maths Paper Overview

Most IGCSE Maths students sit 2 papers. However, the exact structure depends on your exam board and tier.

The three main courses are:

• Cambridge (0580/0980) – 2 papers per tier

• Edexcel (4MA1) – 2 papers per tier

• OxfordAQA (9260) – 2 papers per tier

Here's a quick comparison:

Cambridge and Edexcel each have an alternative specification which is taken by significantly fewer students.

• Cambridge (0607) - students sit three papers per tier

• Edexcel (4MB1) - students sit two papers with no tiers

The key takeaway? You'll likely sit two papers. But the length and difficulty vary depending on your tier.

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580/0980)

Cambridge is one of the most popular IGCSE exam boards worldwide. The 2025 exam structure has changed significantly, so make sure you're using the right information.

Core Tier (Papers 1 & 3)

Core tier is designed for students aiming for grades 1-5. You'll sit two papers:

There are a mix of short and longer questions on both papers. The papers tend to start with quick, easier questions to build your confidence. 

The harder questions are at the end. My students would come out of the exam and obsess about those questions. I would remind them that there would have been a good number of questions which they flew through closer to the beginning.

Both papers test the full Core syllabus. You need strong mental maths skills for Paper 1.

Extended Tier (Papers 2 & 4)

Extended tier is for students targeting grades 4-9. The papers are longer and cover harder content:

Extended papers include all Core content plus additional challenging topics. Questions require more problem solving and multi-step working.

What Changed in 2025?

Cambridge made major changes to the exam structure from 2025 onwards:

• Paper 1 and Paper 2 are now non-calculator papers (they used to allow calculators)

• Both papers at each tier now have equal weighting (50% each)

• Core papers are now both 1 hour 30 minutes (previously 1 hour and 2 hours)

• Extended papers are now both 2 hours (previously 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours)

These changes mean you need to practise mental arithmetic more than ever before. The non-calculator paper tests your core number skills without any technology.

You can find detailed information about these changes on the Cambridge Assessment website (opens in a new tab).

Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics (4MA1)

Edexcel (also known as Pearson) offers a straightforward two-tier system. The structure is simpler than Cambridge's.

Foundation Tier (Papers 1F & 2F)

Foundation tier targets grades 1-5. You'll sit:

Both Edexcel papers allow calculators. There's no non-calculator paper, which some students find easier to manage.

Higher Tier (Papers 1H & 2H)

Higher tier is for students aiming for grades 4-9:

Question Style

Edexcel papers include a mix of:

• Short-answer questions (testing specific skills)

• Structured problems (multi-part questions)

• Problem-solving tasks (applying knowledge to real-world scenarios)

The papers are considered slightly more predictable than Cambridge. Many students find the question style consistent year-on-year.

My previous students loved that they were able to use a calculator on both papers. It gave them more confidence going into the exam.

OxfordAQA IGCSE Mathematics (9260)

OxfordAQA is a newer exam board combining Oxford University Press resources with AQA exam standards. It's growing in popularity, especially in international schools.

Core Tier (Papers 1C & 2C)

Core tier covers grades 1-5:

Extension Tier (Papers 1E & 2E)

Extension tier (similar to "Higher" in other boards) covers grades 4-9:

Similarities and Differences

OxfordAQA sits between Cambridge and Edexcel in terms of structure:

Similar to Cambridge:

• Two-tier system (Core/Extension vs Core/Extended)

• Emphasis on pure maths, including some basic calculus

• Real-world problem-solving focus

Similar to Edexcel:

• Both papers allow calculators (no non-calculator paper)

• Equal weighting between papers (50% each)

The exam questions use carefully chosen vocabulary to help international students whose first language isn't English. This makes OxfordAQA popular in schools with diverse student populations.

You can find full details on the (opens in a new tab)OxfordAQA website (opens in a new tab).

Core vs Extended (Cambridge) / Foundation vs Higher (Edexcel)

What's the Difference in Difficulty?

The tier you choose determines:

• Which topics you study

• How challenging the questions are

• Your maximum possible grade

Lower tiers (Core/Foundation):

• Cover essential maths skills

• Questions are more straightforward

• Less multi-step problem solving

• Maximum grade: 5

Higher tiers (Extended/Higher/Extension):

• Include all lower-tier content PLUS harder topics

• More complex problem solving required

• Multi-step questions common

• Maximum grade: 9

Around 40% of questions on higher-tier papers overlap with lower-tier content. This means the easier questions at the start of a Higher paper will look similar to Foundation questions.

If you struggle with any of the topics at Foundation, then I would suggest that you do not do the Higher papers. Otherwise, you will likely struggle with the 60% of the exam that is from Higher-only topics.

Impact on Maximum Grade

Your tier choice caps your maximum grade:

• Core/Foundation: Grades 1-5 only

• Extended/Higher/Extension: Grades 4-9

If you're predicted a grade 5, you could potentially sit either tier. Your teacher will help you decide which gives you the best chance of success.

I always advise students to do the Foundation papers unless they need a grade 6 or above. 

Which Option Do Students Typically Choose?

Most students follow their teacher's recommendation based on:

• Mock exam results

• Classwork performance

• Target university requirements

Generally:

• Students predicted grades 1-4 → Core/Foundation tier

• Students predicted grades 5-9 → Extended/Higher/Extension tier

Remember: getting a grade 5 on Core tier is better than getting Ungraded on Extended tier. Choose the tier where you can showcase your best work.

Don’t be tempted by the grade boundaries. You need fewer marks to get a grade 5 on the Higher papers, however, the questions are harder. My advice is to stick with the easier questions if you need a grade 5.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is Each IGCSE Maths Paper?

It depends on your exam board and tier:

Cambridge 0580:

• Core: 1 hour 30 minutes per paper (3 hours total)

• Extended: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total)

Edexcel A:

• Foundation: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total)

• Higher: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total)

OxfordAQA:

• Core: 1 hour 30 minutes per paper (3 hours total)

• Extension: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total)

Make sure you practise full-length papers under timed conditions. Time management is crucial, especially in longer papers.

Can I Choose Which Tier (Core/Extended or Foundation/Higher) I Take?

Not exactly. Your school or exam centre decides which tier you'll sit based on:

• Your predicted grade

• Mock exam performance

• Teacher recommendations

• Your target grades for university

Most schools make tier decisions in Year 10 or early Year 11. This gives you time to focus on the right content.

If you strongly disagree with your tier placement, speak to your teacher. They'll consider your concerns and may adjust if your performance improves.

Some exam boards allow you to sit a higher tier even if you're predicted a lower grade. But your school has the final say on exam entries.

My advice is to trust your teacher. They want you to succeed so will enter you for the most appropriate paper.

Do All Exam Boards Have the Same Number of Papers?

No. The three major IGCSE Maths courses use a two-paper structure. However, there is a Cambridge IGCSE course (International Maths 0607) where students sit three papers.

However, the key differences are:

• Paper length (1.5 hours vs 2 hours)

• Calculator rules (some boards have non-calculator papers)

• Total marks per paper (80 marks vs 100 marks)

• Question style and difficulty

Always check which exam board your school uses. Then focus your revision on past papers from that specific board.

Final Thoughts

Here's what you need to remember:

Most IGCSE Maths students sit 2 papers. The exact structure depends on whether you're taking Core or Extended tier (or Foundation/Higher for Edexcel).

Cambridge Extended students face longer, harder papers (2 hours each). Core students sit shorter papers (1.5 hours each).

The 2025 Cambridge changes mean Paper 1 and Paper 2 are now non-calculator papers. Make sure you're practising mental arithmetic regularly.

Once you know your exam board and tier, the structure becomes straightforward. You can plan your revision effectively and focus on the right content.

Ready to start revising? Save My Exams has everything you need to succeed in IGCSE Maths:

• Exam board-specific revision notes covering every topic

• Topic questions to test your understanding as you learn

• Past papers with mark schemes for realistic exam practice

• Model answers showing exactly what examiners look for

Don't leave your revision to chance. Use Save My Exams to build your confidence, master each topic, and walk into your exam ready to succeed.

You've got this!

References

Cambridge Assessment International Education, Getting ready to teach… (opens in a new tab) 

OxfordAQA, International GCSE Mathematics (9260) (opens in a new tab) 

Cambridge International Education, Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics - Additional (0606) (opens in a new tab)