IGCSE Maths Topics: Full CIE & Edexcel List

Written by: Jamie Wood

Reviewed by: Emma Dow

Last updated

31 July 2026

Contents

Not sure what's on your IGCSE Maths syllabus? The list of topics can seem never-ending and working out what you actually need to revise can feel like its own maths problem.

Get it wrong, and you can end up wasting hours revising topics that won't come up, or worse, missing ones that will.

This guide fixes that. It breaks down all the IGCSE maths topics examined by CIE and Edexcel, so you know exactly what you need to study.

Key Takeaways

IGCSE Maths topics vary by exam board and by tier (Core/Foundation vs Extended/Higher), so you need to check the list that matches your course.
This article covers:
- CIE Maths (0580)
- CIE International Maths (0607)
- Edexcel Maths A (4MA1)
- Edexcel Maths A Modular (4XMAF/4XMAH)
Use the topic tables below to build a revision checklist and track which areas you've covered.

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Not all IGCSE Maths courses are the same. Exam boards set their own specifications, which means the specific topics, wording, and structure can differ even when the subject looks identical on paper.

Some boards also split content by tier. CIE and Edexcel both offer a:

Lower tier (Core or Foundation)
Higher tier (Extended or Higher)

The higher tier always includes everything in the lower tier plus extra content.

Revising from the wrong board's topic list means you could spend time on content that's never examined, while missing topics that are. Checking your exact course and tier before you start revising saves time and avoids gaps.

If you're not sure which board or tier you're on, check with your teacher or look at the code printed on your past exam papers.

CIE IGCSE Maths Topics (0580)

Cambridge International (CIE) IGCSE Maths (opens in a new tab), syllabus code 0580, is offered at Core and Extended tier. The table below shows you the topics you need to nail.

Topic Area	Core Content	Extended Additions
Number	Types of numbers and basic number skills Operations with numbers and decimals Prime factors, HCF and LCM Powers, roots and standard form Fractions Percentages Simple and compound interest Ratio and proportion Money calculations Time, currency and conversions Compound measures Rounding, estimation and bounds	Set notation and Venn diagrams Growth and decay Surds
Algebra & Sequences	Basic algebra Algebraic roots and indices Expanding and factorising brackets Linear equations Forming and solving equations Inequalities Rearranging formulas Simultaneous equations Sequences	Quadratic equations Algebraic fractions Functions Direct and inverse proportion
Coordinate Geometry & Graphs	Gradients and equations of lines Parallel lines Types of graphs Solving equations from graphs Conversion graphs Distance-time and speed-time graphs	Midpoints and lengths of lines Perpendicular lines Quadratic graphs Gradients of tangents Solving and graphing inequalities Rates of change graphs Differentiation
Geometry	Symmetry and shapes Basic angle properties Angles in polygons and parallel lines Bearings, constructions and scale drawings Circle theorems	Same areas in greater depth, including more circle theorems
Lengths, Areas & Volumes	Area and perimeter Circles, arcs and sectors Volume and surface area Congruence and similarity	No additions - same content at both tiers
Pythagoras & Trigonometry	Pythagoras' theorem Trigonometric ratios	Angles of elevation and depression Exact trig values Sine rule, cosine rule Area of triangles 3D Pythagoras and trigonometry Trigonometric graphs and equations
Vectors & Transformations	Translations Reflections Rotations Enlargements	Vector basics Magnitude of a vector Position and displacement vectors Finding vector paths and problem solving
Probability	Basic probability and sample space diagrams Relative and expected frequency Two-way tables Set notation and Venn diagrams Tree diagrams Combined probability	Conditional probability
Statistics	Mean, median, mode Range Averages from tables; comparing data sets Types of data; tally charts and frequency tables Stem and leaf diagrams Bar charts and pictograms Pie charts; scatter graphs and correlation Lines of best fit	Averages from grouped data Interquartile range Histograms Cumulative frequency diagrams

Papers

Any topic can appear on any paper.

Tier	Papers	Calculator	Grades
Core	Paper 1, Paper 3	Not allowed on Paper 1; required on Paper 3	C to G
Extended	Paper 2, Paper 4	Not allowed on Paper 2; required on Paper 4	A* to E

CIE IGCSE International Maths Topics (0607)

CIE IGCSE International Maths, syllabus code 0607 (opens in a new tab), covers similar ground to CIE Maths but differs in some content and in paper structure. It's also offered at Core and Extended tier.

Topic Area	Core Content	Extended Additions
Number	Types of numbers and basic number skills Operations with numbers and decimals Sets Prime factors, HCF and LCM Powers, roots and standard form Fractions Percentages Simple and compound interest Ratio and proportion Money calculations Time, currency and conversions Compound measures Rounding and estimation	Depreciation Surds
Algebra & Sequences	Basic algebra Simplifying algebraic fractions Algebraic roots and indices Expanding and factorising brackets Linear equations Forming and solving equations Inequalities Rearranging formulas Simultaneous equations Sequences	Quadratic equations Operations with algebraic fractions Functions Direct and inverse proportion Exponentials and logarithms
Coordinate Geometry & Graphs	Gradients and equations of lines Midpoints and lengths of lines Parallel lines Types of graphs Function notation Using calculators for graphs	Perpendicular lines Quadratic, cubic, reciprocal and exponential graphs Sketching inequalities and regions Transformations of graphs
Geometry	Symmetry and shapes Basic angle properties Angles in polygons and parallel lines Bearings Circle theorems	Same areas in greater depth, including more circle theorems
Lengths, Areas & Volumes	Area and perimeter Circles, arcs and sectors Volume and surface area Congruence and similarity	No additions - same content at both tiers
Pythagoras & Trigonometry	Pythagoras' theorem Trigonometric ratios	Angles of elevation and depression Exact trig values Sine rule, cosine rule Area of triangles 3D Pythagoras and trigonometry Trigonometric graphs and equations
Vectors & Transformations	Translations Reflections Rotations Enlargements	Vector basics Magnitude of a vector
Probability	Basic probability and sample space diagrams Relative and expected frequency Two-way tables Set notation and Venn diagrams Tree diagrams Combined probability	Conditional probability
Statistics	Mean, median, mode Range Interquartile range Averages from tables Comparing data sets Types of data Tally charts and frequency tables Stem and leaf diagrams Bar charts and pictograms Pie charts; scatter graphs and correlation Lines of best fit	Averages from grouped data Cumulative frequency diagrams

Papers

Any topic can appear on any paper.

Tier	Papers	Grades
Core	Paper 1, Paper 3, Paper 5 (investigative task)	C to G
Extended	Paper 2, Paper 4, Paper 6 (investigative and modelling task)	A* to E

Edexcel IGCSE Maths A Topics (4MA1)

Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (opens in a new tab), specification code 4MA1, is offered at Foundation and Higher tier, graded on the 9 to 1 scale.

Topic Area	Foundation Content	Higher-Only Additions
Numbers & the Number System	Basic operations (including negatives and decimals) Types of numbers Prime factors, HCF and LCM Money calculations Set notation and Venn diagrams Powers and roots Fraction operations Fractions, decimals and percentages Rounding, estimation and bounds Exchange rates and best buys Standard form Using percentages Compound interest and depreciation Ratios Direct and inverse proportion	Surds
Equations, Formulae & Identities	Basic algebra Roots and indices Expanding brackets Factorising Rearranging formulas Solving linear equations Solving quadratic equations Solving inequalities Simultaneous equations Forming and solving equations	Completing the square Algebraic fractions Algebraic proof
Sequences, Functions & Graphs	Sequences and nth terms Coordinates Midpoints of lines Gradients of lines Equations of lines Types of graphs Distance-time and speed-time graphs Conversion graphs	Sum of an arithmetic series Functions Domain and range Composite functions Inverse functions Parallel and perpendicular lines Trigonometric graphs Gradients of tangents Transformations of graphs Differentiation Stationary points Kinematics
Geometry & Trigonometry	Standard and compound units Compound measures Angles in polygons Angles in parallel lines Bearings, scale drawing and constructions Area and perimeter Circles; arcs and sectors Volume and surface area Congruence and similarity Symmetry Geometrical proof Pythagoras' theorem Right-angled trigonometry	Circle theorems Similar areas and volumes Sine rule, cosine rule Area of a non-right-angled triangle 3D Pythagoras and trigonometry
Vectors & Transformation Geometry	Translations Reflections Rotations Enlargements Combinations of transformations	Representing vectors Magnitude of a vector Vector paths Vector proof
Statistics & Probability	Mean, median and mode Averages from tables Averages from grouped data Range Population and sampling Tally charts and frequency tables Comparing distributions Bar charts and pictograms Two-way tables Pie charts Interpreting statistical diagrams Basic probability Sample space diagrams Relative and expected frequency Listing outcomes Probability and Venn diagrams	Quartiles and interquartile range Histograms Cumulative frequency diagrams Tree diagrams Combined probability Conditional probability Combined conditional probabilities

Papers

Any topic can appear on either paper. Students sit two papers in total.

Tier	Papers	Calculator	Grades
Foundation	1F, 2F	Allowed on both	1 to 5
Higher	1H, 2H	Allowed on both	4 to 9

Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular) Topics (4XMAF/4XMAH)

The modular version of Edexcel Maths A (opens in a new tab) covers the same content as the linear course above, but it's a separate qualification with its own codes. It’s split across two units instead of one end-of-course assessment.

Knowledge from Unit 1 is assumed when sitting the Unit 2 exam, and a calculator is allowed in both.

Strand	Unit 1	Unit 2
Number	Basic number skills Limits of accuracy Higher only Surds and indices	Ratio and proportion Percentage skills Standard form Higher only Repeated percentage change
Algebra	Basic algebra skills Set notation Plotting graphs Solving basic quadratics Higher only Solving quadratics Completing the square Quadratic formula	Inequalities Simultaneous equations Sequences Change of subject Higher only Algebraic proof Direct and inverse proportion Summation of arithmetic series Function notation and transformations Differentiation
Shape, space and measure	Properties and areas of shapes Trigonometry Pythagoras' theorem Compound measures Higher only Sine and cosine rule Sine area of a triangle 3D Pythagoras' theorem	Angles in polygons and circles Symmetry Constructions Volume Similarity Transformations Higher only Circle theorems Similar area and volume Vectors
Handling data	Basic probability Higher only Tree diagrams Conditional probability Histograms	Statistical measures Higher only Cumulative frequency diagrams

Strand

Unit 1

Unit 2

Number

Basic number skills
Limits of accuracy

Higher only

Surds and indices

Ratio and proportion
Percentage skills
Standard form

Higher only

Repeated percentage change

Algebra

Basic algebra skills
Set notation
Plotting graphs
Solving basic quadratics

Higher only

Solving quadratics
Completing the square
Quadratic formula

Inequalities
Simultaneous equations
Sequences
Change of subject

Higher only

Algebraic proof
Direct and inverse proportion
Summation of arithmetic series
Function notation and transformations
Differentiation

Shape, space and measure

Properties and areas of shapes
Trigonometry
Pythagoras' theorem
Compound measures

Higher only

Sine and cosine rule
Sine area of a triangle
3D Pythagoras' theorem

Angles in polygons and circles
Symmetry
Constructions
Volume
Similarity
Transformations

Higher only

Circle theorems
Similar area and volume
Vectors

Handling data

Basic probability

Higher only

Tree diagrams
Conditional probability
Histograms

Statistical measures

Higher only

Cumulative frequency diagrams

Papers

Unit 1 and Unit 2 are each assessed by their own paper, and both allow a calculator.

Tier	Unit 1 code	Unit 2 code	Grades
Foundation	4WM1F	4WM2F	1 to 5
Higher	4WM1H	4WM2H	4 to 9 (allowable grade 3)

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

Turn the tables above into a checklist by doing this:

Go through each topic area and mark it as:
- Confident
- Needs work
- Not yet covered
Focus your first revision pass on topics you've marked as "not yet covered." These are the highest-risk gaps.
Once you've covered everything once, prioritise "needs work" topics. This is where past paper questions and targeted practice pay off most.
Revisit "confident" topics from time to time too. It's easy to forget content you learned early in the course if you don't return to it.

If you're on Extended or Higher tier, remember the lower-tier content is still examinable. Don't skip it just because you've moved on to harder material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise all IGCSE Maths topics for the exam?

Yes. Any topic on your specification can appear in your exam, so full coverage matters. Some topics carry more marks than others across a typical paper, but none are guaranteed to be skipped.

Are these topics the same across all exam boards?

No. While there's overlap in core mathematical content, each board organises topics differently and includes some content the others don't. Always work from the table for your specific board and tier.

How do I know which topics I struggle with most?

Past papers are the most reliable way to find out. Work through topic-based exam questions and track where you consistently lose marks, then cross-reference against the topic tables.

Nail Your IGCSE Maths Grade with Save My Exams

Knowing your exam board and tier is the first step in effective IGCSE Maths revision.

Once you know exactly what's examinable, you can build a focused, realistic revision plan instead of guessing.

Use the tables above as your foundation, then let Save My Exams' smart tools take it further. Target Test builds a personalised practice test around the exact topics of your exam board:

It also allows you to choose question types and their difficulty, so every session targets a real gap instead of random revision.

Once you've answered, Smart Mark gives you instant, exam-board-aligned feedback on your answers, showing you exactly where you gained marks and where you lost them.

Together, they turn the topic list above from a checklist into an active feedback loop, helping you close gaps faster than topic review or past papers alone.

Good luck with your revision.

Explore our IGCSE Maths resources.