Syllabus overview
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics encourages learners to develop their mathematical ability as a key life skill, and as a strong basis for further study of mathematics or to support skills in other subjects.
The syllabus:
- develops learners’ competency, confidence, and fluency in their use of techniques with and without the use of a calculator, cultivating mathematical understanding. 
- develops learners’ feel for quantity, patterns, and relationships, encouraging learners’ reasoning and analytical skills.  
- places a strong emphasis on solving problems in mathematics and real-life contexts. 
- promotes appropriate presentation and interpretation of results, encouraging learners’ understanding of how to communicate and reason mathematically.
- is tiered to allow candidates of all abilities to achieve and progress in their mathematical studies.
Syllabuses
The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.
Syllabus updates
Cambridge University has updated the subject content and included more examples to better exemplify the depth of teaching required. One of the papers at each tier is now a dedicated non-calculator paper, allowing candidates to demonstrate more of what they know and can do, without changing the standard and demand of the qualification. These changes will improve candidates’ overall experience and the accessibility of the papers. We have made the changes in line with other Cambridge Upper Secondary Mathematics qualifications, supporting those teaching more than one syllabus at this level. For full details of the changes, please see the 2025-2027 syllabus above or download their factsheet for an overview.