IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606 — October-November 2024 Past Papers, Topics & Exam Tips
The Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) October-November 2024 session consisted of 2 papers across 6 variants, covering 6 syllabus topics across all papers. This page links to every question paper, mark scheme, grade threshold and session feedback document released by Cambridge for this session, together with a topic-level breakdown of what was tested and topic-matched exam tips in our own voice.
Topic coverage in October-November 2024
Marks in this session were weighted unevenly across the 6 syllabus topics, with the heaviest emphasis on Trigonometric functions. Substantial weight also fell on Functions and Kinematics , with Logarithmic and exponential functions and Trigonometric identities rounding out the five most-tested areas. Together these five topics made up well over half of the topic-level marks awarded in the October-November 2024 session — a useful signal for where to focus revision time. The full topic-by-paper breakdown is further down the page.
Exam tips for topics in October-November 2024
- → Trigonometric functions: Always consider the bracketing of values and make sure that the notation is done correctly.
- → Functions: Hold off on using calculator approximations until expressly permitted; preserve exact values as long as possible.
- → Kinematics: Make it a habit: after integrating, always add '+ C' to represent the constant of integration.
- → Logarithmic and exponential functions: Thoroughly review the laws of logarithms and practice applying them in different scenarios. Pay close attention to the base and arguments.
- → Trigonometric identities: Review the chain rule: d/dx [f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) * g'(x) and apply it religiously to composite functions like tan(3x).
0606 October-November 2024 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 1 (2 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0606 Paper 1 from October-November 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Trigonometric functions (Trigonometry) worth 17 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Trigonometric identities (12 marks)
Mark distribution by topic:
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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 2 (2 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0606 Paper 2 from October-November 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Functions (Functions) worth 16 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Logarithmic and exponential functions (6 marks)
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Additional Mathematics revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Functions to maximize your score.
What was tested on each paper — 0606 October-November 2024
Here's which syllabus topics appeared in each of the 2 Additional Mathematics 0606 papers in October-November 2024 and how the marks broke down. Focus your revision on the papers you're sitting — Papers 1, 3 and 6 for Core tier; Papers 2, 4 and 6 for Extended tier. Click any topic below to jump straight to our revision notes.
Paper 1 — Paper 1 · 80 marks total
Tested 2 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Trigonometric functions (17m) and Trigonometric identities (12m).
Paper 2 — Paper 2 · 80 marks total
Tested 2 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Functions (16m) and Logarithmic and exponential functions (6m).
0606 October-November 2024 at a glance
- Papers: 2 (6 variants total)
- Topics covered: 6
- Highest-weighted topic: Trigonometric functions
- Grade thresholds: released by Cambridge (linked above)
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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:
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):
* 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:
- Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
- Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0606 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
- 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 October-November 2024 past papers?
Are 0606 mark schemes included?
What papers are available for IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606?
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
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