IGCSE Maths Guide 2025: Essential for Students and Parents
Are you a student aiming for top marks in IGCSE Maths, or a parent wanting to ensure your child is set up for success? IGCSE Maths is a key qualification that opens doors to further education, university programs, and careers that value numerical skills.
In this guide, you’ll find everything about IGCSE Maths in 2025, from exam boards and grading to key dates and exam formats.
Contents
1. What Is the IGCSE Maths Exam?
The IGCSE Mathematics exam is an international qualification taken by students around the world, typically between the ages of 14 and 16. It is equivalent in level to the UK’s GCSE but is designed to be accessible to a global audience. It covers core mathematical skills such as number, algebra, geometry, statistics, and problem-solving.
2. Who Should Take IGCSE Maths?
IGCSE Maths is designed for students in international schools, private schools, or home-educated learners who are following an international curriculum. It’s a key stepping-stone for students planning to move into A-levels, the IB Diploma Program, or university studies.
3. Why Should You Take IGCSE Maths Seriously?
If you’re aiming to study A-levels or apply to universities in the UK or internationally, IGCSE Mathematics is often a required qualification. Many sixth-form colleges, universities, and employers expect at least a grade 6 (B equivalent) or higher in Maths.
4. What Is the IGCSE Maths Exam Structure?
There are two main exam boards offering IGCSE Mathematics:
- A. Cambridge IGCSE Maths (CIE 0580)
- B. Edexcel International GCSE Maths (4MA1)
Let’s break down the structure for each.
A. Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)
You choose either Core Tier or Extended Tier:
- Core Tier (Grades C–G)
- Paper 1: Short-answer (no calculator)
- Paper 3: Structured questions (calculator)
- Extended Tier (Grades A–E)
- Paper 2: Short-answer (no calculator)
- Paper 4: Structured questions (calculator)
Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Students must take both papers from the same tier. Your final grade is based on your total score from both papers.
B. Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics (4MA1)
Only one tier, no Core/Extended split. This exam is ideal for students aiming for the full grade range (9–1), including the highest possible marks. You’ll sit:
- Paper 1: Calculator paper (2 hours)
- Paper 2: Calculator paper (2 hours)
Each paper is worth 50% of your final grade. There is no non-calculator paper in Edexcel IGCSE Maths.
5. When Are the 2025 IGCSE Maths Exams?
IGCSE Maths is offered in two main series each year:
- May/June 2025 – the main sitting
- October/November 2025 – typically for resits or alternative entry
Exact dates are set by your exam board and may vary slightly depending on your country, time zone, and local regulations. Your school or exam center will confirm your specific dates closer to the exam window.
6. How Is IGCSE Maths Graded?
A. Cambridge IGCSE (CIE 0580):
- Core Tier: Grades C to G
- Extended Tier: Grades A* to E
To secure a strong pass for most colleges and A-level courses, students typically aim for Grade C or above on the Core Tier, or Grade B or above on the Extended Tier.
Here is a rough guide:
Grade | Score% |
|---|---|
A* | 90% – 100% |
A | 80% – 89% |
B | 70% – 79% |
C | 60% – 69% |
D | 50% – 59% |
Example: If you score 70 out of 80 on Paper 2 and 60 out of 80 on Paper 4, your total is 130 out of 160, which is about 81%. That would likely be an A, depending on that year’s grade boundaries. However, these thresholds can change slightly each year depending on exam difficulty and global performance.
B. Edexcel IGCSE (4MA1):
- Single tier with grades 9 to 1 (9 is the highest)
Universities and sixth-form centres usually require:
- Grade 6 (C/B equivalent) or above for STEM pathways
- Grade 4 (C equivalent) for general entry
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