Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Core mock exam: the papers and a 2-week plan

The 0580 Core papers

Most school mocks for 0580 Core are Paper 1 (no calculator) and Paper 3 (calculator), in the format of the 2025 syllabus. Core is graded C to G, so if you are aiming above a C, ask your teacher about Extended before the real entries are made. Ask your teacher which papers and topics your school's mock uses. The real 0580 Core exam is:

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580), Core tier: 160 marks in all, grades C to G. More: 0580 past papers · the 0580 formula sheet.

Free papers to sit before your 0580 Core mock

Sit something timed first and mark it honestly: the questions you drop marks on are the topics to start with.

2-week 0580 Core mock revision plan

Ten days on the Core topics that carry the most marks, starting with the weak points Cambridge's reports name for Core candidates, then four days on papers. Each day links to free exam-style questions with worked answers.

1. Day 1

   Rounding, estimation and limits of accuracy

   Why: Accuracy rules apply to every answer on Paper 3: keep full values and round once, to 3 significant figures unless the question says otherwise.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Estimation and Rounding Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Limits of Accuracy Questions

2. Day 2

   The four operations and fractions by hand

   Why: Paper 1 has no calculator, so written methods for multiplying, dividing and working with fractions carry marks all through it.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 The Four Operations Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Questions

3. Day 3

   Percentages, money and currency

   Why: Everyday percentage and money questions are common on Core papers: use multipliers, and check the answer makes sense.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Percentages Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Money and Currency Conversion Questions

4. Day 4

   Units, area and perimeter

   Why: Cambridge's June 2024 report found that few candidates converted units correctly in a volume question: change units before you calculate.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Units of Measure Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Area and Perimeter Questions

5. Day 5

   Map scales and bearings

   Why: Cambridge's June 2024 report lists both among the topics Core candidates found hardest.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Scale Drawings and Bearings Questions

6. Day 6

   Standard form

   Why: Named as challenging on a June 2024 Core paper: the first number must be at least 1 and less than 10.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Standard Form Questions

7. Day 7

   Sets and Venn diagrams

   Why: Also named as challenging on a June 2024 Core paper: fill the diagram from the overlap outwards.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Sets and Venn Diagrams Questions

8. Day 8

   Probability

   Why: Write a probability as a fraction, decimal or percentage, not a ratio, and check that all the outcomes add up to 1.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Probability Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Relative and Expected Frequency Questions

9. Day 9

   Angles and geometrical terms

   Why: Give a reason for every angle you find, using the correct geometrical words.

   Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Angles Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Geometrical Terms Questions

10. Day 10

    Charts and averages

    Why: Read every scale and key before you read off a value, and know when the median is a better average than the mean.

    Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Statistical Charts and Diagrams Questions · Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Averages and Measures of Spread Questions

11. Day 11

    Paper 1, timed

    Sit a Paper 1 from 2025 onwards (the papers changed with the 2025 syllabus) or the specimen paper from the past papers in one go: 1 hour 30 minutes, no calculator.

12. Day 12

    Mark it and fix the gaps

    Mark it with the mark scheme, put every lost mark in My mistakes, then redo the questions on your two weakest topics from the days above.

13. Day 13

    Paper 3, timed

    Sit the Paper 3 from the same series: 1 hour 30 minutes, with your calculator.

14. Day 14

    Formulas and a light review

    Go over the 0580 formula sheet, check your calculator is in degrees, and rest the evening before.

Only 12 days, one topic a day? Use the 12-day mock plan. More topics: 0580 questions by topic.

The mistakes that cost 0580 Core students marks

From our summary of Cambridge International’s examiner reports. Check your mock against each one.

1. No working, so no part marks

   Fix: Write one line per step (what you work out, then the number). Keep going to the answer even if you are unsure of an earlier step.

2. Mixing units in area and volume

   Fix: Convert every length to the same unit before you multiply. Remember 1 litre = 1000 cm³, 1 m = 100 cm and 1 m³ = 1 000 000 cm³.

3. Map scales: not converting centimetres to kilometres

   Fix: Multiply the map length by the scale number to get the real length in cm, then divide by 100 000 for km (100 cm = 1 m, 1000 m = 1 km).

4. Bearings: the wrong angle, or measured from the wrong line

   Fix: A bearing is measured clockwise from north and written with three figures. For the reverse bearing add 180° (or subtract 180° if the bearing is more than 180°). Draw the north lines first.

5. Set notation: counting the overlap twice

   Fix: Fill the Venn diagram from the middle (the intersection) outwards, then read n(A ∪ B), n(A ∩ B) and n(A′) from the regions.

The full list with worked examples: IGCSE Maths 0580 Examiner Insights.

Other IGCSE mock guides

4MA1 Higher mock exam · 4MA1 Foundation mock exam · 0580 Extended mock exam · all IGCSE Maths mock exams