Course description
How is the course structured?
We will begin by looking at what the examination board will require of you in the way of examinations. You will be referred to what you need to do in terms of registration and arranging with an external centre for you to take the examinations.
Once the administration matters have been cleared up, we will look at the specification we will be following, namely the IGCSE inMathematics (0580).
As stated above, this is an exam-only syllabus and we will be preparing you for this as the principal aim of the course.
As part of your course, you will be supplied with the Study Guide for IGCSE and A Levels. Do make use of this as it has been written to help you with your studies and to supplement the specific information and guidance given in the course material itself.
What does the course prepare me for?
The study pack is designed to match closely the curriculum content of the syllabus and will provide you with the information and support you’ll need to take the exams with confidence.
The materials and accompanying exercises provided will help you to develop the necessary knowledge and confidence to successfully attempt the exams. The key parts of the course which are important in every aspect are planning your studies and practice assessments where feedback from your UK Open Learning tutor is of the utmost importance.
Essential Texts
IGCSE Core Mathematics by Colin Nye.
Publisher: Heinemann
ISBN: 978-0-435966-85-0
and
IGCSE Extended Mathematics by Colin Nye.
Publisher: Heinemann
ISBN: 978-0-435966-86-7
What will the exams look like? –G
Core curriculum – Grades available: C-G
Paper 1 1 hour
Short-answer questions.
Candidates should answer each question.
Weighting: 35%
Paper 2 1½ hours
Short-answer questions.
Candidates should answer each question.
Weighting: 35%
Extended curriculum – Grades available: A*-E
Paper 3 2 hours
Structured questions.
Candidates should answer each question.
Weighting: 65%
Paper 4 2½ hours
Structured questions.
Candidates should answer each question.
Weighting: 65%
Past papers are available on the University of Cambridge IGCSE website where students can get an idea of the tier they should enter for. The tutor will also provide advice on this when they have gained an impression of your potential.
What will I be examined on?
The two assessment objectives in Mathematics are:
A Mathematical techniques
B Applying mathematical techniques to solve problems
A description of each assessment objective follows.
A Mathematical techniques
Candidates should be able to:
1. organise, interpret and present information accurately in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic forms;
2. perform calculations by suitable methods;
3. use an electronic calculator and also perform some straightforward calculations without a calculator;
4. understand systems of measurement in everyday use and make use of them in the solution of problems;
5. estimate, approximate and work to degrees of accuracy appropriate to the context and convert between equivalent numerical forms;
6. use mathematical and other instruments to measure and to draw to an acceptable degree of accuracy;
7. interpret, transform and make appropriate use of mathematical statements expressed in words or symbols;
8. recognise and use spatial relationships in two and three dimensions, particularly in solving problems;
9. recall, apply and interpret mathematical knowledge in the context of everyday situations.
B Applying mathematical techniques to solve problems
In questions which are set in context and/or which require a sequence of steps to solve, candidates should be able to:
10. make logical deductions from given mathematical data;
11. recognise patterns and structures in a variety of situations, and form generalisations;
12. respond to a problem relating to a relatively unstructured situation by translating it into an appropriately structured form;
13. analyse a problem, select a suitable strategy and apply an appropriate technique to obtain its solution;
14. apply combinations of mathematical skills and techniques in problem solving;
15. set out mathematical work, including the solution of problems, in a logical and clear form using appropriate symbols and terminology.
We have deliberately designed the course to make it as relevant to the demands of the specification as possible with lots of self-assessment exercises for you to carry out prior to you taking the End of Unit submissions. These are assignments which you will send them to your tutor and receive feedback on to improve your knowledge and skills in handling examination questions.
Where do I sit my examinations?
Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to find and register with a centre to take the examinations. UK Open Learning cannot take any responsibility for this.
