0606

Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) - March 2023 Past Papers

Download 6 free IGCSE Additional Mathematics past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the March 2023 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606)

IGCSE Additional Mathematics extends beyond standard maths with calculus, trigonometry, and advanced algebra. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in differentiation, integration, and solving complex equations.

What this exam tests: Key skills include curve sketching, solving trigonometric equations, and applying calculus to real problems.

Papers available in variants 11, 12, 13 for different time zones. All variants cover the same Additional Mathematics syllabus with equal difficulty.

Grade Thresholds

0606 March 2023 Papers

0606 Paper 1 - Paper 1

2 hr • 80 marks

Tests broad syllabus knowledge with 40 questions. Each question has four options (A-D). Core tier paper.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 1 (1 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0606 Paper 1 from March 2023 tests 1 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Trigonometric functions (Trigonometry) worth 9 marks out of 80 total marks.

Mark distribution by topic:

Trigonometric functions 9/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Additional Mathematics revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Trigonometric functions to maximize your score.

0606 Paper 2 - Paper 2

2 hr • 80 marks

Extended tier multiple choice with more challenging questions covering the full syllabus. 40 questions, 45 minutes.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

Other Resources

Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.

Examiner Report

Insights from examiners on how students performed. Learn common mistakes to avoid and what examiners look for in top answers.

View

0606 March 2023 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in March 2023, showing how marks are distributed. Use this to focus your revision on topics relevant to your papers.

0606 Paper 1 (Paper 1)

80 marks total
Trigonometric functions (Trigonometry)
9m

Study tip: If you're taking the Extended tier, focus on Papers 2, 4, and 6. For Core tier, prepare for Papers 1, 3, and 5/6. Review the topics above for your specific papers and practice past questions from those syllabus areas.

Examiner Insights - March 2023

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Read questions carefully and ensure answers are given in the required form and to the specified accuracy.
  • • Show sufficient working to demonstrate understanding, especially for key steps like differentiation and integration.
  • • Pay close attention to signs and arithmetic manipulations to avoid careless errors.
  • • Familiarize yourself with key formulas and trigonometric identities to efficiently solve problems.
  • • Practice a wide range of problems to develop problem-solving skills and recognize common question types.
Paper 12 - Paper 12

Many candidates demonstrated a good understanding of the syllabus objectives and were well-prepared. Candidates utilized supplementary sheets effectively. Timing did not appear to be an issue.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Read each question carefully to understand the requirements and the required form of the answer.
  • ✓ Practice past questions to become familiar with the amount of work required for different mark allocations.
  • ✓ Pay attention to instructions indicating a required method and adhere to it.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Coordinate Geometry)
✗ Equating the gradient function of the curve and the gradient of the straight line without a correct method.
→ Form a quadratic equation representing the points of intersection and use the discriminant.
Q3 (Binomial Expansion)
✗ Making sign errors when multiplying by (1 - x^2).
→ Pay close attention to signs during multiplication and distribution.
Q3 (Binomial Expansion)
✗ Incorrectly dealing with the coefficient of 2 when using the binomial expansion.
→ Ensure the coefficient is correctly applied to each term in the expansion.
Q4(a) (Logarithms)
✗ Incorrectly simplifying expressions like lg(1000x/y)^(3/4) to (3/4)lg(1000)x/y
→ Apply the power rule and division rule for logarithms carefully.
Paper 22 - Paper 22

Most candidates were able to recall and apply techniques to solve problems. Many candidates attempted complete solutions, showing sufficient working. Candidates seemed to have sufficient time to attempt all questions.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Read each question carefully, identifying key statements and information.
  • ✓ Show sufficient method, especially for key operations like differentiation, even if using a calculator.
  • ✓ Pay attention to the instructions on the front page of the examination paper regarding accuracy.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Trigonometry)
✗ Omitting cusps on the modulus cosine graph or drawing sections that were straight or of incorrect curvature.
→ Pay attention to the correct shape of the modulus function, particularly at points of intersection with the x-axis.
Q2 (Surds)
✗ Not showing sufficient terms when expanding to justify the denominators being 4√3-13 in the first step or 121 when rationalised.
→ Provide sufficient steps to demonstrate the rationalization process.
Q3 (Inequalities)
✗ Solving two linear equations but failing to form the correct final inequality.
→ Consider the critical values and test intervals to determine the correct form of the inequality.
Q4 (Integration)
✗ Not showing the substitution of the lower limit into the expression (cos 0 = 0).
→ Always show the substitution of both upper and lower limits into the integrated expression.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0606 March 2023. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606)

Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The March 2023 examination session included 2 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0606 past papers from March 2023, including question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and examiner reports (ER). Use these resources to practice under timed conditions and understand how examiners award marks.

View all 0606 past papers → | All 2023 sessions →

Get Additional Mathematics Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0606. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0606 Study Tips & FAQ

What are paper variants?

Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.

  • Variant 1 (e.g., 11, 21): Usually for Zone 1 (Americas)
  • Variant 2 (e.g., 12, 22): Usually for Zone 2 (Europe, Africa)
  • Variant 3 (e.g., 13, 23): Usually for Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania)

All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.

How to use Mark Schemes effectively

Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.

Example from a Physics mark scheme:

Q: Calculate the speed of a car that travels 150m in 5 seconds. [2]

Mark scheme answer:

• speed = distance / time [1 mark for formula]

• speed = 150 / 5 = 30 m/s [1 mark for correct answer with unit]

Tips:

  • Look for key words that must appear in your answer
  • Note how many points are needed for each mark
  • Check if units are required for the final mark
  • Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)
Understanding Grade Thresholds

Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.

Example Grade Thresholds (out of 100 total):

A*
90+
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69

* Actual thresholds vary by subject and session

How to use thresholds:

  • Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
  • Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
  • Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
  • Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends
How is the topic breakdown calculated?

The "Topics Breakdown by Paper" section above shows which syllabus topics are tested in each paper and how many marks they carry. Here's how we calculate this:

Our methodology:

  1. Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
  2. Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0606 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
  3. Sum marks per topic: For each paper, we add up the marks for all questions testing the same topic. For example, if Q1 (4 marks) and Q5b (3 marks) both test "Enzymes", that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.

Example: If Paper 3 shows "Photosynthesis - 13 marks", it means questions worth a total of 13 marks (out of the paper's 80 marks) tested the Photosynthesis topic from the Plant Nutrition unit of the syllabus.

How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4, 6 for Extended tier). The topics with the highest marks in YOUR papers are where you should focus your revision. A topic worth 15 marks deserves more study time than one worth 3 marks.

Note: Our topic matching may be inaccurate for questions that span multiple topics. Use this as a guide alongside the official syllabus.

How to Use IGCSE Additional Mathematics Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0606 Paper 4 is 1 hour 15 minutes - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.

✅ Self-Marking

Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in Additional Mathematics responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0606 examiner report to see common mistakes. Focus revision on topics where candidates typically lose marks.

🎯 Grade Targets

Check grade thresholds to see how many marks you need for your target grade. An A* in IGCSE Additional Mathematics typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Additional Mathematics March 2023 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) March 2023 past papers directly from this page. We provide 6 files including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for all variants (11, 12, 13). Click "View" to open in browser or "Download" to save the PDF.
Are 0606 mark schemes included?
Yes, mark schemes for all 0606 March 2023 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.
What papers are available for IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606?
IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) has 2 papers: Paper 1 (Paper 1), Paper 2 (Paper 2). Core tier students take Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4, 5/6.
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions of the same paper used in different time zones to prevent cheating. All variants test the same syllabus content at the same difficulty level. You can practice with any variant as they are equally valid for revision.
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Use our free Exam Hub to practice past papers like real exams. It lets you view question papers and mark schemes side-by-side, so you can self-mark your answers. No sign-up required, works with any PDF, and your files stay completely private.

Copyright & Educational Use

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We share these materials freely for educational purposes to help students prepare for their examinations. This platform is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.

For official examination resources, registration, and support, please visit cambridgeinternational.org.