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Knowing the maths is only half the battle. These exam techniques help you turn what you know into the maximum number of marks on the day. Based on real Cambridge IGCSE 0580 examiner reports.
Running out of time is the number one reason students lose marks they know how to earn.
Paper 1 (Core)
1 min/mark
1 hour / 56 marks
Paper 2 (Extended)
1.3 min/mark
1 hour 30 minutes / 70 marks
Paper 3 (Core)
0.6 min/mark — fast pace!
1 hour / 104 marks
Paper 4 (Extended)
1.15 min/mark
2 hours 30 minutes / 130 marks
Spend roughly 1 minute per mark. A 3-mark question should take about 3 minutes. If you have been stuck for double that time, move on and come back later.
Spend the first 2 minutes scanning every question. Circle the ones you know you can do quickly — these are your guaranteed marks.
Answer the questions you are most confident about first. This builds momentum and ensures you collect all the marks you know.
Stop writing new answers with 10 minutes left. Use this time to re-read questions you have answered and check for silly errors.
When half the time is gone, you should have attempted at least half the marks. If you have not, speed up or skip to easier questions.
The command word tells you exactly what the examiner wants. Misreading it can cost you every mark on the question. See our full Command Words guide for worked examples.
| Command Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Calculate | Show your working and give a numerical answer. |
| Show that | Prove the given answer is correct — show EVERY step. |
| Explain | Use mathematical language to give reasons. |
| Estimate | Round first, then calculate with rounded values. |
| State / Write down | Just give the answer — no working needed. |
| Simplify | Reduce to the simplest possible form. |
| Prove | Use algebra to show it works for ALL cases, not just one example. |
Pro tip: Before answering, underline the command word AND the number of marks. A 1-mark "State" question needs a one-line answer. A 4-mark "Explain" question needs a detailed mathematical argument. The marks tell you how much to write.
Method marks (M1, M2) are awarded for correct steps, even if your final answer is wrong. Learn more in our Method Marks guide.
For any "Calculate" question, writing the formula earns M1 even if everything after is wrong. Example: "Area = 1/2 x base x height" is worth a mark on its own.
After the formula, write a line showing your values plugged in. This earns another method mark. Example: "= 1/2 x 8 x 5".
Examiners scan quickly. Write each algebraic or arithmetic step on its own line so marks can be awarded easily.
Crossed-out work is not marked. If you change your mind, leave your original working visible and write your new attempt below.
If you got part (a) wrong but used your wrong answer correctly in part (b), you can still earn full marks in (b). Always attempt every part.
A blank answer always scores 0. Writing the correct formula or a sensible first step can earn 1-2 marks on a 4-mark question.
These are the mistakes examiners see every year. Knowing them in advance means you will not fall for them.
Forgetting to flip the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
How to avoid it: Highlight any negative division/multiplication and consciously check the direction of the sign.
Adding fractions without finding a common denominator first.
How to avoid it: Always find the LCM of the denominators before adding or subtracting.
Calculating percentage increase/decrease using the wrong base value.
How to avoid it: Percentage change = (change / original) x 100. The denominator is always the ORIGINAL value.
Confusing radius and diameter when calculating area or circumference.
How to avoid it: Underline whether the question gives the radius or diameter before substituting into the formula.
Using the wrong ratio (sin/cos/tan) because of mislabelling opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse.
How to avoid it: Label all three sides on the diagram FIRST, then choose SOH CAH TOA based on which sides you have.
Reading the wrong axis or scale on a cumulative frequency graph.
How to avoid it: Check what each axis represents and note the scale before reading any values.
Multiplying probabilities for OR events (should add) or adding for AND events (should multiply).
How to avoid it: AND = multiply, OR = add. Draw a tree diagram if you are unsure.
Writing 34.5 x 10^3 instead of 3.45 x 10^4 (the number before the power must be between 1 and 10).
How to avoid it: Check: is the first part between 1 and 10? If not, adjust the power.
Rounding intermediate working too early, causing cumulative errors in the final answer.
How to avoid it: Keep at least 4 decimal places through all working. Only round the FINAL answer to the precision the question asks for.
Mixing units within a calculation (e.g., adding cm and m, or using hours in a minutes formula).
How to avoid it: Before calculating, convert everything to the same unit. Write the unit next to every number in your working.
Each paper has a different format, duration, and pace. Adjust your approach accordingly.
Short-answer, non-calculator
Short-answer, non-calculator
Structured questions, calculator allowed
Structured questions, calculator allowed
Your calculator can do far more than basic arithmetic. These shortcuts save time and reduce errors on Papers 3 and 4 (calculator papers).
How to do it: Calculate a value, press STO then A (or B, C, D, E, F). Recall with RCL then A.
Pro tip: Avoids re-typing long decimals. Store intermediate answers to keep full precision.
How to do it: MODE > TABLE. Enter the function (e.g., x^2 - 3x + 1). Set Start, End, and Step values.
Pro tip: Instantly generates a table of x and y values for plotting graphs or checking answers.
How to do it: Press the fraction button (a b/c) to enter and calculate with fractions directly.
Pro tip: Keeps answers exact. Press S⇔D to toggle between fraction and decimal form.
Critical: Before every exam, check your calculator is in DEGREE mode (look for "D" on the display). If it says "R" (radians), every trigonometry answer will be wrong. Press SHIFT > MODE > DEG to fix it.
The night before and morning of the exam. Print this out or screenshot it. For formula revision, see our Interactive Formula Reference.
Understanding how examiners mark your paper helps you pick up marks you might otherwise miss. These insights come directly from Cambridge IGCSE 0580 mark schemes.
Awarded for a correct mathematical method, even if arithmetic goes wrong afterwards. Writing the right formula or setting up the correct equation earns M1 regardless of your final answer.
Depend on earning the M mark(s) first. You get A marks for correct numerical answers that follow from correct method. If your method is wrong, you cannot earn the A mark.
Awarded independently — they do not depend on other marks. Reading a value from a graph or stating a geometric property are typical B mark questions.
The mark scheme says "oe" when any mathematically equivalent form is accepted. For example, 0.5, 1/2, and 50% would all earn the mark if "oe" is specified.
Pro tip: Practise with real past paper mark schemes from our walkthroughs. Seeing how marks are allocated will change the way you write your answers.
How to handle panic, skip effectively, and make the most of checking time.
Stop writing. Close your eyes. Take 5 slow breaths. Then re-read the question you are on. Panic wastes far more time than a 30-second breathing break.
Put a star next to it and move on immediately. Come back after you have finished the rest of the paper. Often, your brain solves it subconsciously while you work on other questions.
The best way to build exam technique is to practise under timed conditions. Try our IGCSE practice questions or ask the AI Tutor for help with any topic.