Skip to content
IGCSE·Tuition
EN

Subjects

Online Tuition

Study Resources

Browse

Choosing your IGCSE maths route

Your school may mention three maths codes in one breath, and it is hard to tell which one is actually yours.

Online one-to-one IGCSE tuition for your child

Cambridge offers more than one mathematics route at IGCSE level. On this site we cover Mathematics 0580, International Mathematics 0607 and Additional Mathematics 0606. They are separate syllabuses, and the code on your school paperwork decides which one you are preparing for.

How do the three maths subjects relate?

Mathematics 0580 and International Mathematics 0607 are both main mathematics courses.

They share a lot of ground, such as number, algebra, geometry and statistics, but they differ in syllabus detail and in how they are assessed. Where the learning is genuinely identical, our explanations are shared. Where the syllabus, calculator rules or assessment differ, we treat them separately.

Additional Mathematics 0606 is a different kind of subject. It extends algebra, functions, trigonometry and calculus beyond the main course and suits students who already handle algebra comfortably. It is usually taken in addition to a main mathematics course, so think of it as a second maths subject, not a harder version of the first.

How do I choose a route?

For most students the choice is made by the school. Start with these steps:

  1. Ask your school which maths code you are entered for, and in which exam year.
  2. Open the Cambridge subject page for that code and read the syllabus overview.
  3. If Additional Mathematics is optional, ask your maths teacher whether your algebra is ready for it.
  4. Check with your exam centre, not with a tuition provider, about entry and deadlines.

Private candidates should ask the exam centre directly about which maths codes it accepts. Registration and entry belong to the centre and Cambridge.

Where do I go next?

Pick the subject page that matches your code. Each has a study guide, topic modules and original practice:

If you are weighing up which subjects to get support for, choosing subjects for support sets out the questions to ask.

Subject guides

Questions people ask

Is Additional Mathematics 0606 a replacement for Mathematics 0580?

No. Additional Mathematics 0606 is a separate Cambridge IGCSE subject with its own syllabus. Most students who study it do so alongside a main mathematics course, not instead of one. Ask your school which subjects it will enter you for, then confirm the details on the Cambridge subject page.

What is the difference between 0580 and 0607?

Both are Cambridge IGCSE mathematics courses, but they are different syllabuses with different assessment designs. Mathematics 0580 and International Mathematics 0607 should not be treated as interchangeable. Check the current syllabus for your exam year and ask your school which one it teaches.

Can I switch from one maths route to another?

Entry is arranged by your school or exam centre, not by us or by the student alone. If you are thinking about a change, raise it with your maths teacher early and ask the exam centre what deadlines apply. We can help you study whichever route you are entered for.

Should I take Additional Mathematics if I am weak in algebra?

Additional Mathematics builds heavily on algebra, so shaky algebra will slow you down. That does not mean you cannot take it, but it is worth strengthening the base first. A teacher can look at a few of your worked solutions and tell you where the gaps are.

Sources

  1. Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 syllabus page

Updated:

Your next step

If you are unsure which maths route fits your school entry, a paid one-hour trial lets a teacher look at your current work and explain where to begin.

Paid one-hour trial at your assigned teacher’s confirmed rate, starting from RM80. Other fees, schedules and ongoing arrangements are confirmed directly with your teacher after the trial class.

Book a paid trial for your child

9,000+ students helped through our service