Cambridge IGCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2024 Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

A highly balanced exam series featuring standard procedural tasks in the Core papers alongside non-routine application-heavy problems in the Extended papers, notably in vector geometry, quadratic simultaneous equations, and 3D trigonometry.

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

AnalysisSample paper
Difficulty 3.4/5
Total marks
200
Duration
240 mins
Most tested
—

Paper breakdown

Paper 2 (Extended, Non-calculator): 100 marks · 120 minsPaper 4 (Extended, Calculator): 100 marks · 120 mins

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

  • Forgetting that vector direction matters when setting up vector paths, resulting in sign errors.
  • Applying incorrect simple interest formulas by equating the accumulated value to I instead of interest earned.
  • Failing to round up to the next integer in real-life contexts, such as purchasing whole seed bags.
  • Prematurely rounding intermediate values like \(\sqrt{208}\) or trigonometric ratios, leading to out-of-tolerance answers.

Misconceptions

  • Thinking that the opposite angles of any cyclic quadrilateral simply equal each other rather than summing to \(180^\circ\).
  • Confusing standard form requirements by leaving multiple digits before the decimal point.
  • Treating a semicircle area as a full circle and forgetting to divide by 2.

Where marks are lost

  • Show-that questions where candidates do not state every intermediate step explicitly.
  • Omission of units when specifically requested or giving non-simplified fractional answers.
  • Failing to draw a straight line tangent when estimating gradients, instead attempting algebraic differentiation.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Source: Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official)
GradeMarkPercentage
A*175/20088%
A150/20075%
B117/20059%
C85/20043%
D66/20033%
E48/20024%
Official grade boundaries published by Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official).

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