The IGCSE Mathematics courses are created to build your confidence, fluency, and competency in techniques and mathematical understanding. The courses without coursework mean you don’t have to do any graded work during your schoolwork. That is because the final paper will contribute 100% towards your score.
If you are trying to understand the difference between these three courses, you are in the right place. Here is everything you need to know about them.
An Overview Of The Courses
Here is an overview of all these three courses:
| Mathematics (0580) | Mathematics with Coursework (0581) | International Mathematics (0607) | |
| Structure | Paper 1 (Core) Paper 2 (Extended) Paper 3 (Core) Paper 4 (Extended) | Paper 1 (Core) Paper 2 (Extended) Paper 3 (Core) Paper 4 (Extended) | Paper 1 (Core) Paper 2 (Extended) Paper 3 (Core) Paper 4 (Extended) Paper 5 Investigation (Core) Paper 6 Investigation and Modelling (Extended) |
| Weighting | Paper 1: 70 marks (35%) Paper 2: 70 marks (35%) Paper 3: 130 marks (65%) Paper 4: 130 marks (65%) | Paper 1: 70 marks (30%) Paper 2: 70 marks (30%) Paper 3: 130 marks (50%) Paper 4: 130 marks (50%) Paper 5: 20 marks (20%) | Paper 1: 40 marks (25%) Paper 2: 40 marks (20%) Paper 3: 96 marks (60%) Paper 4: 120 marks (60%) Paper 5: 36 marks (15%) Paper 6: 60 marks (20%) |
| Grades | CORE: C-G EXTENDED: A*-E | CORE: C-G EXTENDED: A*-E | CORE: C-G EXTENDED: A*-E |
| Time Available | Paper 1: 1 hour Paper 2: 1 ½ hour Paper 3: 2 hours Paper 4: 2 ½ hours | Paper 1: 1 hour Paper 2: 1 ½ hour Paper 3: 2 hours Paper 4: 2 ½ hours Paper 5: 10-20 hours | Paper 1: 45 minutes Paper 2: 45 minutes Paper 3: 1 hour 45 minutes Paper 4: 2 hours 15 minutes Paper 5: 1 hour 10 minutes Paper 6: 1 hour 40 minutes |
IGCSE Mathematics (0580)
The course is designed to encourage learners to develop their mathematical knowledge. The primary aim of this course is for you to have a solid mathematical foundation to build on. Another aspect this course emphasizes is solving problems and interpreting and presenting results.
During the course, you will also learn how to reason and communicate using mathematical concepts. For this course, you will study the following topics:
- Numbers
- Algebra and graphs
- Coordinate geometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Vectors and transformations
- Probability
- Statistics
Calculators are allowed during the assessment of this course, which is why you need to know how to use them effectively. You also have to use appropriate structure and notation to communicate your reasoning for a problem. You must take two papers. You can either sit for Paper 1 and 3 (Core) together or Paper 2 and 4 (extended) together.
Mathematics With Coursework (0581)
The subject is with coursework, which will also make up for your final grade. Each candidate is required to submit one coursework assignment during this subject. You can either complete the coursework in class or on your own time.
However, you need permission from the teacher to do your coursework in class. If you want a good grade, your coursework should have eight to fifteen sides of A4 paper length, and you should spend at least ten to twenty hours on it. You can select the coursework topic under your teacher’s guidance.
Keep in mind that throughout your coursework, significant capabilities of mathematical knowledge should be shown. You can use your laptop or any other device for reference purposes. Your assignment will be checked and assessed on your personal input.
International Mathematics (0607)
If you want to progress to Cambridge AS and A Level Mathematics or IGCSE Additional Mathematics, you can use this course as a building block for your foundation. The course is created for schools offering an international curriculum, and it will introduce you to graphical calculators. Such calculators are a requirement for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
All candidates take three examinations during this course. You need to have a graphic display calculator for Papers 2, 4, 5, and 6.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to understanding these three critical courses. All of them will build your mathematical capabilities to progress to advanced math courses as you go further in your academics. We hope this guide helped clear any questions you had in mind about these courses.
Written by Mr Austin of VBest
