Is IGCSE Additional Maths Hard? What to Expect

When you’re choosing your IGCSE subjects, it's understandable to want to be confident about your decision. Most students want a range of subjects that are useful for their future, enjoyable, and offer just the right amount of challenge.

If you want an IGCSE course that stretches your mathematical ability and sets you up for A Level Maths, IGCSE Additional Maths is definitely worth considering.

This article explains what you can expect from IGCSE Additional Maths. It offers an honest and realistic insight into how hard the subject is. We’ve also included practical strategies to make the subject easier, all with the aim of helping you make an informed decision about your future.

Key Takeaways

• Cambridge International Education (CIE) is currently the only exam board offering IGCSE Additional Maths

• Because Additional Maths is harder than IGCSE Maths, CIE assumes that those who take Additional Maths already have knowledge of CIE IGCSE Maths (opens in a new tab)

• Breaking the content into topics, teaching it to other people and completing past papers can increase your chances of success

How Hard Is IGCSE Additional Maths?

Maths is generally listed among the hardest IGCSEs, and Additional Maths is designed to push IGCSE Maths students even further. Additional Maths is therefore considered to be particularly hard.

Below are the grade thresholds for CIE Additional Maths in June 2025 (opens in a new tab):

• A*: 135/160 marks

• A: 110/160 marks

• B: 80/160 marks

• C: 51/160 marks

• D: 39/160 marks

• E: 27/160 marks

What Makes IGCSE Additional Maths Challenging?

Below are three aspects of IGCSE Additional Maths that students commonly find difficult:

Difficult Topics

Calculus, which is not one of the topics for IGCSE Maths, can be a difficult area for many Additional Maths students. Apart from the fact that it’s new, it is harder than topics like algebra, partly because it requires more abstract thinking.

Complex Problem-Solving

Additional Maths aims to develop logical reasoning. Many of the questions you’ll encounter in the exam have multiple parts. This can be difficult for students, as getting one part wrong can lead you to give multiple incorrect answers.

The question below, which comes from Paper 2, is a good example of a question with multiple parts that some students might find tricky (although the fact that you can use a calculator for this paper should help):

A squad of 20 boys, which includes 2 sets of twins, is available for selection for a cricket team of 11 players.
Calculate the number of different teams that can be selected if
(i) there are no restrictions [1]
(ii) both sets of twins are selected [2]
(iii) one set of twins is selected but neither twin from the other set is selected [2]
(iv) exactly one twin from each set of twins is selected [2]

Large Workloads

With 14 topics and multiple subtopics, many students find the amount of content in IGCSE Additional Maths a challenge – especially compared to IGCSE Maths, which generally has 6-9 topics (depending on the exam board).

What Makes IGCSE Additional Maths Easier?

Despite its reputation for being exceptionally difficult, there are still some aspects of IGCSE Additional Maths that tend to be more manageable:

Prior Knowledge

Remember that you’re not starting from scratch. Although IGCSE Additional Maths introduces new topics like calculus, you will still be building upon areas you’re already familiar with from IGCSE Maths, including geometry and trigonometry.

You’ll be in an especially good position if you’ve taken the extended subject content for CIE IGCSE Maths; this harder route offers a good insight into the challenge of IGCSE Additional Maths.

Technology

Half of your IGCSE consists of a calculator paper. Once you’ve got to grips with using a scientific calculator, you’ll likely feel more confident tackling Paper 2. It also takes some of the pressure off, as you’re not expected to work everything out in your head alone!

Factors That Affect How Hard You'll Find IGCSE Additional Maths

Difficulty varies between students. To help you work out how hard you’ll find IGCSE Additional Maths, consider the following factors:

• Current knowledge – refer back to the 14 topics above and see how many you’re already familiar with. You’ll recognise at least some of them from IGCSE Maths!
  

• Interest in the subject – like most subjects, you’ll tend to do better in IGCSE Additional Maths if you enjoy maths. Even if your ability isn’t quite where you want it to be, you’re much more likely to put the work in if you like maths.
  

• Revision habits – IGCSE Additional Maths requires more ‘doing’ than it does reading or lengthy writing. If you’re not yet in the habit of regularly practising with past papers, you’ll find IGCSE Additional Maths harder in the first instance.

How to Make IGCSE International Maths Easier

Here are some practical, tried-and-tested strategies you can use to improve your chances of success in IGCSE Additional Maths:

Break the Content Down by Topic

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by something, I remind myself of the famous proverb: ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time’.

In practice, this method is known as chunking. Revise each of the 14 IGCSE Additional Maths topics one at a time, checking off each one as you go in a revision checklist.

Use the Feynman Technique

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. Attributed to Albert Einstein, this quote illustrates the importance of the Feynman Technique.

Put the Feynman Technique into practice by explaining a concept you’ve just learnt – such as a derived function – to someone who isn’t familiar with it, like a family member or friend.

Practise with Past Paper Questions

I found Maths really tricky at secondary school. I was in set 6/9 (with 9 being the lowest), but I improved enough to be moved up to set 5 for my GCSEs.

I ended up getting an A in GCSE Maths. I always attribute this to two things: having a brilliant teacher, and completing countless past papers (as suggested by my teacher).

People say that practice makes perfect, but you need to be practising in the right way; if not, you’ll end up being really good at doing the wrong thing! Once I’d learnt the correct approach to take for each GCSE Maths question, it was just a case of practice. You can take the same approach for IGCSE Additional Maths.

What Does IGCSE Additional Maths Involve?

CIE is currently the only exam board that offers IGCSE Additional Maths. It builds upon the foundation of IGCSE Maths, offering several more challenging topics and problems.

Core Areas Assessed

The list below features all 14 CIE Additional Maths topics, including an example requirement for each one:

1. Functions

   • Explain in words why a given function is a function

2. Quadratic functions

   • Understand how the discriminant relates to the roots of the equation

3. Factors of polynomials

   • Solve cubic equations

4. Equations, inequalities and graphs

   • Use substitution to form and solve a quadratic equation in order to solve a related equation

5. Simultaneous equations

   • Solve simultaneous equations in two unknowns by elimination or substitution

6. Logarithmic and exponential functions

   • Know and use the laws of logarithms, including change of base of logarithms

7. Straight-line graphs

   • Know and use the condition for two lines to be parallel or perpendicular

8. Coordinate geometry of the circle

   • Solve problems involving the intersection of a circle and a straight line

9. Circular measure

   • Solve problems involving the arc length and sector area of a circle

10. Trigonometry

    • Know and use the six trigonometric functions of angles of any magnitude

11. Permutations and combinations

    • Solve problems on arrangement and selection using permutations or combinations

12. Series

    • Recognise arithmetic and geometric progressions and understand the difference between them

13. Vectors in two dimensions

    • Understand and use vector notation

14. Calculus

    • Understand the idea of a derived function

Exam Format and Structure

The table below outlines what each CIE Additional Maths paper involves:

Knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques, e.g. recognising and using spatial relationships in two and three dimensions and performing calculations with and without a calculator

*Analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically, e.g. recognising patterns and drawing conclusions from mathematical data

More detailed information can be found on the 2025-2027 (opens in a new tab) syllabus. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade is a pass in IGCSE Additional Maths?

In June 2025, the lowest grade in the IGCSE Additional Maths grade threshold was an E (27/160 marks).

However, in practice, most colleges and universities consider a C as the minimum IGCSE pass grade. In June 2025, the threshold for a C grade was 51/160 marks.

Is IGCSE Additional Maths harder than IGCSE Maths?

Since Additional Maths builds upon the foundation of IGCSE Maths, it is definitely harder than IGCSE Maths. It includes more difficult topics and requires more complex problem-solving.

How much revision do you need for IGCSE Additional Maths?

IGCSE Additional Maths requires around the same amount of revision as other IGCSEs.

Remember that your revision methods matter just as much, if not more, than how long you’re revising for. Use a revision checklist broken down by topic, complete past papers and check examiner reports (opens in a new tab) for common mistakes.

Final Thoughts

IGCSE Maths subjects, including IGCSE Additional Maths, are generally considered to be among the hardest. This is largely due to difficult topics like calculus, complex problem-solving requirements and a heavy workload. However, knowing that you have your IGCSE Maths knowledge as a basis and that 50% of the qualification consists of a calculator paper can make it more manageable.

To decide whether IGCSE Additional Maths is right for you, consider your current knowledge, interest in the subject and your preferred approach to revision.

If you’re willing to work hard, practise properly and regularly complete past papers, IGCSE Additional Maths is worth serious consideration. It is a unique qualification that helps you to further develop your mathematical ability, and is the perfect option for students who want a real but achievable challenge.

References

• Cambridge IGCSE Additional Maths (opens in a new tab)

• Cambridge IGCSE Maths (opens in a new tab)