IGCSE Maths past papers
Both IGCSE Maths boards publish past papers with mark schemes. Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) has Core and Extended routes, and its new 2025 syllabus changes the papers; Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) has two 2-hour papers at Foundation or Higher tier. Pick your board below.
Choose your exam board
- Cambridge IGCSE Maths past papersCambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580): every public paper to preview or download
- Edexcel IGCSE Maths past papersInternational GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1): where to find every paper, and how they work
How the boards compare
| Board | Papers | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE (0580), from 2025 | Core: Papers 1 and 3; Extended: Papers 2 and 4 | 80 marks (Core) or 100 marks (Extended) each | 1 h 30 (Core) or 2 h (Extended) each |
| Edexcel International GCSE (4MA1) | Two papers at Foundation or Higher tier | 100 marks each | 2 hours each |
How to use past papers
- Learn the content first. Use topic questions while you are still learning; save full papers for when you have covered most of the course.
- Do full papers under exam conditions: timed, no notes, with the formula sheet or booklet you will have on the day.
- Mark strictly with the mark scheme, including method marks, and add up your score.
- Read the examiner report for the questions you lost marks on: it explains the common mistakes and what full marks looked like.
- Keep an error log of every lost mark and its topic, then revise those topics before your next paper.
- Save the newest papers for your final mocks in the last few weeks.
Free IGCSE Maths practice questions
Ten original questions written by our tutors in the style of the exam. Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.
Answered 0 of 10 · 0 correct
1. Work out 2/3 of 45.
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B. 45 ÷ 3 × 2 = 30.
2. Expand and simplify 3(x + 4) − 2(x − 1).
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B. 3x + 12 − 2x + 2 = x + 14.
3. A shirt costs $40 after a 20% discount. What was the original price?
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C. 0.8 × original = 40, so original = 50.
4. Find the area of a triangle with base 12 cm and height 7 cm.
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B. ½ × 12 × 7 = 42 cm².
5. Solve x2 = 49.
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C. Both 72 and (−7)2 are 49.
6. What is 3.6 × 104 ÷ (1.2 × 102)?
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A. 3.6 ÷ 1.2 = 3 and 104 ÷ 102 = 102.
7. What is the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon?
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C. (5 − 2) × 180° = 540°.
8. The mean of 6, 9, x and 13 is 10. Find x.
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B. Total = 40, so x = 40 − 28 = 12.
9. f(x) = 2x − 3. Find f−1(7).
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A. Solve 2x − 3 = 7: x = 5.
10. A map has scale 1 : 50 000. A distance on the map is 4 cm. What is the real distance?
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B. 4 × 50 000 = 200 000 cm = 2 km.
Frequently asked questions
Is IGCSE Maths the same as GCSE Maths?
The content is similar, but the papers and grading differ. Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs are taken in many countries and some UK schools; practise with your own board's papers.
Which IGCSE papers allow a calculator?
Cambridge 0580 from 2025: Papers 1 and 2 are non-calculator, Papers 3 and 4 allow one. Edexcel 4MA1: a calculator is allowed in both papers.
Which board am I doing?
Check an old mock: the cover shows Cambridge with 0580, or Pearson Edexcel with 4MA1.