What is IGCSE Maths?: Overview for Students

If you're a student thinking about studying IGCSE Maths, you might be wondering what the course involves, how it differs across exam boards, and what it can lead to. In this article, I'll break down what IGCSE Maths is all about, including the topics you'll study, how the exams work, and how it can support your future plans. 

Whether you're already confident with numbers or just starting to build your skills, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to succeed.

What is IGCSE Maths?: Quick Summary

IGCSE Maths is an internationally recognised qualification designed for students aged 14 to 16. It builds essential mathematical knowledge and skills used in everyday life, further study, and a wide range of careers. 

Offered by multiple exam boards, including Cambridge (CIE) and Edexcel, the course covers topics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and number skills. 

While the core mathematical principles remain consistent, the structure, topics, and assessment methods differ slightly across the three main specifications: CIE IGCSE (0580), CIE International IGCSE (0607), and Edexcel IGCSE (4MA1).

Why Study Maths at IGCSE?

Maths is one of the most useful subjects you can study. It's a universal language that helps you understand patterns, solve problems, and make informed decisions. IGCSE Maths is not only a gateway to further academic courses like A Levels or the IB Diploma, but also a critical qualification for future employment.

Whether you’re planning to study engineering, economics, architecture, or science, or simply want to feel more confident managing your money or understanding data, studying IGCSE Maths gives you the tools you need.

What Does IGCSE Maths Cover?

Each exam board organises its course slightly differently. Here’s a brief overview of the topics you’ll study:

CIE IGCSE Mathematics (0580)

1. Number – Place value, fractions, decimals, percentages, standard form, and rounding.

2. Algebra and graphs – Manipulating expressions, solving equations, sequences.

3. Coordinate geometry – Gradient, distance, midpoint, graphing linear and quadratic functions, and differentiation.

4. Geometry – Angles, polygons, constructions, and circle theorems.

5. Mensuration – Perimeter, area, surface area, and volume of 2D and 3D shapes. 

6. Trigonometry – Pythagoras, trigonometry of right-angled and non-right-angled triangles.

7. Transformations and vectors – Vectors and geometric transformations.

8. Probability – Probability calculations, probability diagrams, and conditional probability.

9. Statistics – averages and measures of spread, and interpreting statistical diagrams, correlation.

Some topics are only studied at the Extended tier.

CIE International IGCSE Mathematics (0607)

1. Number – Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, standard form, set notation and Venn diagrams.

2. Algebra – Manipulating expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, sequences.

3. Functions – Understanding and interpreting function notation and graphs.

4. Coordinate geometry – Graphing and interpreting lines and curves.

5. Geometry – Properties of shapes, angles, circle theorems, and geometric reasoning.

6. Mensuration – Calculating perimeters, areas and volumes in a variety of contexts.

7. Trigonometry – Pythagoras, trigonometry of right-angled and non-right-angled triangles.

8. Transformations and vectors – vectors and geometric transformations.

9. Probability – Calculating probabilities, tree diagrams, and conditional probability.

10. Statistics – Analysing data, averages and measures of spread, statistical diagrams.

Some topics are only studied at the Extended tier.

Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics A (4MA1)

1. Numbers and the number system – Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, surds, set notation and Venn diagrams.

2. Equations, formulae and identities – Manipulating expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, rearranging formulas.

3. Sequences, functions and graphs – Recognising patterns, working with sequences, graphing and interpreting functions, basic calculus.

4. Geometry and trigonometry – Properties of shapes, angles, circle theorems, trigonometry of right-angled and non-right-angled triangles.

5. Vectors and transformation geometry – Geometric transformations, vectors.

6. Statistics and probability – Collecting, analysing and interpreting data, calculating probabilities, and using statistical diagrams.

Some topics are only studied at the Higher tier.

Read more: IGCSE Maths Topics By Exam Board

How is IGCSE Maths Assessed?

Each exam board has its own assessment format, including different papers, mark schemes, and grading systems. Here's a breakdown by course:

CIE IGCSE Mathematics (0580)

Students must take both papers from the same tier. Papers test a mix of reasoning, fluency, and problem-solving skills.

CIE International Mathematics (0607)

Students must take all three papers from the same tier. Papers 1 & 3 (Core) and Papers 2 & 4 (Extended) contain a mixture of structured and unstructured questions.  Paper 5 (Core) contains a single investigation. Paper 6 (Extended) contains one investigation section and one modelling section. 

Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics A (4MA1)

Students must take both papers from the same tier. Both papers in each tier are equally weighted and cover all topic areas. The entire assessment is calculator-based.

What Are the Different Assessment Objectives?

Each board assesses slightly different skills:

CIE IGCSE (0580)

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques

• AO2: Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically

CIE International IGCSE (0607)

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques

• AO2: Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically

Edexcel IGCSE (4MA1)

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in number and algebra

• AO2: Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in shape, space and measures

• AO3: Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in handling data.

What Skills Will Students Learn?

Problem Solving
You'll learn how to break down complex problems into manageable steps and apply logical thinking to solve them.

Mathematical Communication
You'll develop the ability to show your working clearly and explain your reasoning, skills which are essential in exams and real-life situations.

Numerical Fluency
Through practice, you'll gain confidence with calculations, estimation, and number operations.

Analytical Thinking
You’ll be able to interpret data, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions.

Real-World Application
From understanding interest rates to measuring distances, you'll see how maths helps you in everyday life.

IGCSE Maths Exam Boards

There are three major versions of IGCSE Maths commonly studied by international students:

• CIE IGCSE (0580): A traditional-style maths course with two tiers (Core and Extended). Suitable for a wide range of abilities.

• CIE International IGCSE (0607): Broader and slightly more advanced in style, with topics like sets and functions that support progression to IB Diploma.

• Edexcel IGCSE (4MA1): Structured in two tiers (Foundation and Higher), this course is popular in British-curriculum international schools and uses calculator papers only.

Top Tips for Success

1. Practise exam-style questions regularly — this helps you get used to the format and timing.

2. Master key skills first — arithmetic, algebra, and data handling are essential foundations.

3. Use past papers from your specific exam board — each one has slightly different wording and layout.

Read our article How to Revise for IGCSE Maths to get even more tips.

Frequently Asked Questions about IGCSE Maths

Is IGCSE Maths hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're taking the Extended or Higher tier. But with regular practice and the right support, good results are very achievable.

Is IGCSE Maths easy to pass?

Yes, if you prepare well, especially at Core or Foundation tier. These are designed to be accessible to a broad range of learners. You can also check out the grade boundaries for previous years for Edexcel and CIE IGCSEs.

What careers can IGCSE Maths lead to?

Maths is essential for careers in finance, engineering, technology, medicine, architecture, science, data analysis, and more. It’s also a requirement for many A Level and university courses.

Boost Your Grades With Save My Exams

Feeling stressed ahead of your exams? Join over 2 million students who use Save My Exams, the leading online revision platform. 

On average, students who use Save My Exams improve by two grades thanks to our comprehensive resources. From past papers and revision notes to exam-style questions tailored to your specific course, our revision tools help you to study smarter, not harder. 

Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content you need. 

Explore Our IGCSE Maths Revision Resources

References

• Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) Syllabus (opens in a new tab)

• Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607) Syllabus (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel International GCSE in Mathematics A (4MA1) Specification (opens in a new tab)