0580

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) - March 2024 Past Papers

Download 10 free IGCSE Mathematics past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the March 2024 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE Mathematics (0580)

IGCSE Mathematics covers number, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability across Core and Extended tiers. Candidates must solve problems using mathematical techniques and show clear working for method marks.

What this exam tests: Key skills include algebraic manipulation, geometric reasoning, statistical analysis, and problem-solving.

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

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Mathematics

Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:

Flashcards
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Practice Quiz
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0580 March 2024 Papers

0580 Paper 1 - Core (Short Answer)

1 hr • 56 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, 56 marks total)

This 0580 Paper 1 from March 2024 tests 1 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Sequences (Algebra and graphs) worth 15 marks out of 56 total marks.

Mark distribution by topic:

Sequences 15/56

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

0580 Paper 2 - Extended (Short Answer)

1 hr 30 min • 70 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
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 2 (2 topics, 70 marks total)

This 0580 Paper 2 from March 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Equations (Algebra and graphs) worth 15 marks out of 70 total marks. Other significant topics include Fractions, decimals and percentages (5 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Equations 15/70
Fractions, decimals and percentages 5/70

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

0580 Paper 3 - Core (Structured)

2 hr • 104 marks

Structured and free-response questions testing understanding and application. Core tier, grades available C-G.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

0580 Paper 4 - Extended (Structured)

2 hr 30 min • 130 marks

Extended tier theory paper with more demanding questions. Full grade range A*-G available with this paper.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (1 topics, 130 marks total)

This 0580 Paper 4 from March 2024 tests 1 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Circles (Geometry) worth 7 marks out of 130 total marks.

Mark distribution by topic:

Circles 7/130

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

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

0580 March 2024 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in March 2024, showing how marks are distributed. Use this to focus your revision on topics relevant to your papers.

0580 Paper 1 (Core (Short Answer))

56 marks total
Sequences (Algebra and graphs)
10 cards
15m

0580 Paper 2 (Extended (Short Answer))

70 marks total
Equations (Algebra and graphs)
9 cards
15m
Fractions, decimals and percentages (Number)
10 cards
5m

0580 Paper 4 (Extended (Structured))

130 marks total
Circles (Geometry)
9 cards
7m

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 2024

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Show all steps in your working, especially for multi-stage questions, to maximize your chances of earning method marks.
  • • Pay close attention to the wording of the questions and the units required in the answer.
  • • Practice common mathematical concepts and pay attention to degree of accuracy required.
  • • Remember necessary formulae and avoid premature rounding.
  • • Carefully check the requirements for correct geometric terminology.
Paper 12 - Paper 1 (Core)

The overall performance of candidates was high, with many achieving good marks. Careless errors were a common cause of lower than expected grades, indicating that students generally knew the methods but made slips. Presentation and clarity were generally good.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Read through the question again after writing down an answer to check if it makes sense.
  • ✓ Always show your working when there are 2 or more marks allocated to a question.
  • ✓ Be clear with figures that can be misread (e.g., 4 mistaken for 9), and avoid overwriting figures.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Number Representation)
✗ Inserting one or three zeros instead of two when writing large numbers like 'three thousand and five'.
→ Carefully count the place values and use the correct number of zeros.
Q4(a) (Fractions)
✗ Shading an incorrect number of squares when asked to shade a fraction of a figure.
→ Double-check your calculation to ensure you've shaded the correct proportion.
Q4(b) (Percentage)
✗ Writing a percentage without the minimum of 3 figures.
→ Always provide answers with at least 3 significant figures unless otherwise specified.
Q5 (Time Calculation)
✗ Guessing at time period rather than making a structured calculation.
→ Write down start and end times for each day involved, and add them to find the total duration.
Paper 22 - Paper 2 (Extended)

This examination provided ample opportunity for candidates to showcase their skills, with numerous high-scoring scripts observed. Candidates showed good method, but gave incorrect answers, showing possible carelessness in using their calculator or an inability to use their calculator correctly. Most answers were given to the required level of accuracy although rounding to 2sf or truncating was sometimes seen.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Show all necessary working clearly to gain method marks.
  • ✓ Remember necessary formulae.
  • ✓ Use a suitable level of accuracy and pay careful attention to the rounding requirements.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Time Calculation)
✗ Incorrectly converting 2150 to 1150pm leading to an incorrect time interval.
→ Double-check your time conversions and remember to account for AM/PM.
Q2 (Calculator Use)
✗ Not writing down all the decimal places of the exact answer, rounding when it is not required, or truncating their answer.
→ Write down all the decimal places, and then consider any rounding or truncation instructions carefully.
Q3 (Algebraic Simplification)
✗ Not simplifying the expression far enough, muddling it with factorizing.
→ Make sure you have collected all like terms, and ensure your answer does not contain any brackets unless factorizing is required.
Q4 (Visualisation of 3D Shapes)
✗ Incorrectly visualizing the dimensions of the cuboid, putting values in wrong place.
→ Carefully review the diagram, label clearly and check your length associations.
Paper 32 - Paper 32 (Core)

This paper provided candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and application of Mathematics. The standard of presentation and amount of working shown was generally good. Candidates should read questions again to ensure the answers they give are in the required format and answer the question set.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Show formulae used, substitutions made, and calculations performed.
  • ✓ Pay attention to the degree of accuracy required in particular questions.
  • ✓ Avoid premature rounding in workings, as this often leads to an inaccurate answer.

Common Mistakes:

Q1(d)(ii) (Geometry)
✗ Stating partial geometric reasons (e.g., 'a line is 180') instead of the full reason.
→ State the full geometrical reason, such as 'angles on a straight line add up to 180 degrees'.
Q2(a)(iii) (Mean Calculation)
✗ Dividing the sum by the wrong number.
→ Ensure you correctly count the number of data values before dividing by the number.
Q2(b) (Proportional Reasoning)
✗ Not realizing that the given information meant you could solve the problem directly.
→ Read the given information in the question carefully.
Q2(d) (Volume Conversion)
✗ Finding the volume of the cylinder but failing to convert this into litres.
→ Pay attention to the units required in the answer and convert accordingly.
Paper 42 - Paper 4 (Extended)

There were a large number of very good scripts in which candidates demonstrated an expertise with the content and proficient mathematical skills. There was no evidence that candidates were short of time, as most candidates attempted nearly all of the later questions. The majority of candidates showed clear working leading to their solutions. Premature rounding resulted in some candidates losing a number of marks.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Recall and apply formulas in varying situations.
  • ✓ Interpret situations mathematically and problem-solve.
  • ✓ Show full working to ensure method marks are considered.

Common Mistakes:

Q2(a) (Geometric Reasoning)
✗ Incorrect reasons given for the angle statements.
→ Use correct geometric terminology.
Q4(b) (Surface Area of Solids)
✗ Incorrectly calculating the surface area of a compound solid.
→ Make sure you can correctly recall all the formulae.
Q5(b) (Algebraic Manipulation)
✗ Not expanding brackets correctly, particularly with negative signs.
→ Pay close attention to signs and use the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) for accurate expansion. Use essential brackets correctly.
Q5(e) (Solving Quadratic Equations)
✗ Making errors when simplifying the equation to a 3-term equation.
→ Take care with signs during elimination of the variables.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0580 March 2024. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The March 2024 examination session included 4 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0580 past papers from March 2024, 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 0580 past papers → | All 2024 sessions →

Get Mathematics Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0580. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0580 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 0580 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 104 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 Mathematics Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0580 Paper 4 is 2 hr 30 min - 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 Mathematics responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0580 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 Mathematics typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Mathematics March 2024 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Mathematics (0580) March 2024 past papers directly from this page. We provide 10 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 0580 mark schemes included?
Yes, mark schemes for all 0580 March 2024 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.
What papers are available for IGCSE Mathematics 0580?
IGCSE Mathematics (0580) has 4 papers: Paper 1 (Core (Short Answer)), Paper 2 (Extended (Short Answer)), Paper 3 (Core (Structured)), Paper 4 (Extended (Structured)). 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.

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