Cambridge IGCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2025 Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

A comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2025 Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) series (covering papers 12, 22, 32, and 42). The series features balanced difficulty, testing non-calculator core arithmetic alongside sophisticated multi-step algebra, coordinate geometry, 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

  • Specifying multiple distinct transformations (e.g. rotation followed by reflection) when a single transformation is explicitly required.
  • Rounding intermediate steps to 3 significant figures in non-right-angled trigonometry, causing inaccurate final values.
  • Omitting the straight boundaries (diameters) when calculating the total perimeter of a compound shape made of semicircles.

Misconceptions

  • Treating fractional negative exponents (like 2^-3) as negative integers (e.g. -8) or incorrectly taking the reciprocal as a product fraction (e.g. 1/6).
  • Believing that limits of accuracy bounds always involve decimal additions (like adding 0.5 or 0.05) rather than checking the measurement unit's precision.

Where marks are lost

  • In the non-calculator papers, fraction divisions and basic factor trees for HCF caused high error rates among core-level candidates.
  • In the cumulative frequency question, reading errors and drawing straight lines instead of a smooth S-curve resulted in significant point loss.
  • Establishing correct algebraic fractions from speed-distance-time word problems proved difficult for those unable to structure a single unified quadratic equation.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Source: Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official)
GradeMarkPercentage
A*176/20088%
A152/20076%
B119/20060%
C86/20043%
D68/20034%
E51/20026%
Official grade boundaries published by Cambridge IGCSE grade thresholds (official).

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