Getting ready to teach Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics 0980 - syllabus and assessment changes

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by Jasmine

Review of Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics 0980 with updated learning outcomes, clearer Notes/Examples, and consistent outcomes across the Cambridge Upper Secondary Mathematics suite. Content is largely unchanged, but extended-only topics were added (surds, exact trigonometric values, domain and range, and specific graph value formats) while several core/extended items were removed. Assessment changes include balanced paper structures, introduction of non-calculator papers at each tier, and a provided formula sheet for every question paper.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Changes to content

Changes to assessment

First assessment from 2025

How does this affect teaching?

What support will be available to help teachers deliver the updated course?

Getting ready to teach Cambridge IGCSE™ (9–1) Mathematics 0980 We review our syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools. To make it easier for teachers and students who use more than one syllabus, we have improved accessibility and clarity by considering our Cambridge Upper Secondary Mathematics suite as a whole. In updating Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) and Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics (0980), we have worked with experienced maths teachers and subject experts to make the qualifications well structured and easier to understand, while keeping the familiar features that teachers and schools value. We have focused on the breadth and depth of the content to cover fundamental mathematical knowledge and preparing students for the demands of the next stage of learning, if they choose to progress to further study. Changes to content We have updated the content: • Although there are no major changes to the content, we have updated the learning outcomes to align with other Cambridge Upper Secondary Mathematics qualifications. • We have updated the Notes/Examples column to make the depth of teaching and learning required clearer. • We are using consistent learning outcomes where appropriate across Cambridge Upper Secondary Mathematics syllabuses to support teachers who deliver more than one course in the suite. We have updated the aims and assessment objectives. The wording has been updated but the meaning is the same. The new syllabus includes details of how it helps students develop the Cambridge learner attributes – confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. We have added: • surds in Number (Extended only) • exact trigonometric values in Trigonometry (Extended only) • domain and range in functions (Extended only) • -½ and ½ in the list of values for n in graphs of functions of the form axn (Extended only) . (We have not added any new content to the Core assessment.) We have removed: • add and subtract vectors (Core only) • multiply a vector by a scalar (Core only) • proper subsets linear programming (Extended only) • box-and-whisker plots (Extended only) • congruence criteria (knowledge of congruence itself is still in the syllabus) (Extended only) . Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics 0980 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics 0980 Changes to assessment We have balanced the two papers at each tier: • The duration, total number of marks, weighting and style are the same for the two papers at each tier. We have introduced a non-calculator paper at each tier: • Paper 1 (Core) and Paper 2 (Extended) will be non-calculator papers. | | | | --- | --- | | Paper 1 Paper 3
(non-calculator) (calculator)
Duration 1 hour 30 mins 1 hour 30 mins Total marks 80 marks 80 marks Item types Structured and
unstructured questions Structured and
unstructured questions Other information Calculator not allowed Candidates answer all questions 50% of total for Core Calculator required Candidates answer all questions 50% of total for Core
Paper 2 Paper 4
(non-calculator) (calculator)
Duration 2 hours 2 hours Total marks 100 marks 100 marks Item types Structured and
unstructured questions Structured and
unstructured questions Other information Calculator not allowed Candidates answer all questions 50% of total for Extended Calculator required Candidates answer all questions 50% of total for Extended | | First assessment from 2025 How does this affect teaching? • The teaching time is not affected by these changes. • Teachers should review the additional guidance and notes information in the syllabus content. • Teachers should check the updated Notes/ Examples column in the syllabus content. • Learners will need to practise: – selecting the correct formula from the formula sheet and knowing when to use them – solving problems and showing their working without a calculator – working with a range of

FAQs

What content changes were made for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0980?

Major content changes were not introduced, but learning outcomes and the Notes/Examples column were updated for clearer teaching depth. Extended-only additions include surds, exact trigonometric values, domain and range in functions, and specific value formats for n in certain function graphs, while some topics were removed for core or extended.

How has the assessment been changed in the updated syllabus?

The two papers at each tier were balanced with the same duration, total marks, weighting, and style. Non-calculator papers were introduced at each tier, with Paper 1 (Core) and Paper 2 (Extended) as non-calculator, and a calculator required for the remaining papers.

What teaching adjustments are expected before the first assessment in 2025?

Teaching time is not affected, but teachers should review updated syllabus guidance and the Notes/Examples column. Learners need practice selecting the correct formula from the formula sheet, solving problems and showing workings without a calculator, and working across a range of question types across two equally balanced papers.

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by Jasmine