IGCSE Maths Tips from a Veteran Teacher: A Guide to Actually Getting It
By Rose | 15+ Years Teaching IGCSE Mathematics
“I used to hate maths. It made me cry. But then one teacher explained it like a story—and suddenly, it clicked. That teacher changed my life. Now I’m on a mission to do the same for my students.”
Yep, that’s me. Rose. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably staring at IGCSE Maths papers thinking, “How am I ever going to survive this?” I get it. I’ve watched hundreds of students—some excited, most stressed—walk into the exam room with sweaty palms and walk out saying, “I wish I’d studied differently.”
Let’s fix that. Right here. Right now.
🚨 Why Most Students Struggle with IGCSE Maths (and How You Can Avoid That Trap)
Here’s the cold truth: Most students fail at maths not because they’re “bad at math” (that myth needs to die), but because they never figured out how to study it right.
You’re not supposed to just memorize formulas and pray.
IGCSE Maths is about logic, patterns, and learning to solve problems like puzzles.
And if you don’t treat it like that? You’re basically running a marathon in flip-flops.
🎯 Tip #1: Master the Syllabus Before You Touch a Past Paper
I see students jump to past papers like they’re cheat codes.
But think about it: would you play a game without learning the controls first?
The IGCSE Maths syllabus (especially Cambridge’s 0580 or Edexcel’s 4MA1) tells you exactly what to expect. Print it. Highlight it. Tattoo it on your soul. Okay—maybe not that far, but close.
📝 Pro Tip: Use the syllabus to create a checklist. Tick off each topic as you master it. It keeps you focused and reduces overwhelm.
🧠 Tip #2: Learn the “Why,” Not Just the “How”
Here’s something I tell every student: Understanding beats memorizing—every single time.
You could memorize that the area of a triangle is , but if you understand it’s just a rectangle cut in half, suddenly your brain holds on tighter.
Think in visuals. Use real-life examples. (Why do pizza slices matter when learning sectors? EVERYTHING.)
✍️ Example: When teaching trigonometry, I ask students to imagine a ladder leaning against a wall. They suddenly get sine, cosine, and tangent. Make it real, and it becomes sticky.
🔄 Tip #3: Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect—Perfect Practice Does
I had a student named Ray. He did ten past papers a week—and still kept scoring a C. Why? Because he never analyzed his mistakes.
Doing hundreds of questions without fixing your thinking is like lifting weights with terrible form—you’ll get injured, not stronger.
✅ The Fix:
Do the question
Check the mark scheme
Compare your method
Write what went wrong
Redo it without help
Repeat.
That’s how growth happens.
📚 Tip #4: Use Tiered Learning – Foundation → Core → Extension
If you jump straight into complex problems without a base, you’ll get wrecked.
Break your learning into three tiers:
Foundation: Focus on key concepts like decimals, ratios, linear equations, etc.
Core: Intermediate topics like transformations, probability, and algebraic manipulation.
Extension: Tricky bits like vectors, functions, and harder trigonometry.
This approach ensures you never “build the roof before the walls.”
🔄 Tip #5: Make Flashcards for Formulas—but Use Them Wisely
Flashcards are great—but don’t let them become your only crutch.
Make your own, color-coded by topic: 📐Geometry (blue), 🧮Algebra (green), 📊Statistics (yellow), etc.
💡 Bonus Tip: Try “active recall.”
Instead of just reading your flashcards, cover the answer side and force yourself to write it out from memory.
And say it out loud—trust me, the brain loves that extra engagement.
👯♀️ Tip #6: Teach It Like You’re the Teacher
Want to know if you really understand something?
Try explaining it to your younger sibling. Or your dog. Or your bathroom mirror.
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it deeply.
I once made my class pair up and take turns “teaching” trigonometry to each other. Not only did they laugh (a lot), but they retained the content WAY better.
🎲 Tip #7: Don’t Fear Word Problems—Translate Them
Most students freeze when they see a wall of text. But it’s not a trap—it’s just a story in disguise.
Turn every word problem into symbols step by step:
“A man walks 3 km north and 4 km east” becomes a right triangle.
“The area of a rectangle is 24, and the length is 6” becomes .
🧩 Once you learn to translate English into Maths, you win half the battle.
💬 Tip #8: Talk to Your Teacher. Like, Actually Talk.
You’d be shocked how many students struggle silently.
Ask questions—even the “stupid” ones. I love when my students ask things like:
“Why is that negative?”
“How do you know it’s a linear graph?”
“What does this even mean?”
Teachers are literally paid to help you. Use them. Trust me—they want you to succeed.
🧘♀️ Tip #9: Anxiety = Brain Freeze. So Practice Mental Calm
I’ve seen top students crumble in exams because of nerves.
Before you open your paper:
Breathe in for 4 seconds.
Hold for 4.
Exhale for 4.
Repeat twice.
This grounds your brain and helps you access what you already know.
And don’t just save this for exam day—practice during revision, too.
🧪 Tip #10: Treat Past Papers Like Lab Experiments
Every past paper is a lesson.
Here’s what I tell my students:
Do one paper under timed conditions.
Review it the next day with a fine-toothed comb.
Highlight question types you messed up on.
Group your errors: careless mistakes, weak concepts, misunderstood wording.
This helps you spot patterns—and patterns are everything in maths.
🎯 Bonus: Focus especially on Paper 4 Extended (if you’re on that path). It’s often the toughest and most concept-heavy.
🧑💻 Tip #11: Use Digital Tools Wisely
Let’s be real: we’re in a digital world. So use it.
My favorite tools:
Desmos: For visualizing graphs interactively.
GeoGebra: Geometry meets interactivity.
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com: The GOAT for past papers, notes, and topic questions.
SaveMyExams.co.uk: Killer explanations and topic-specific practice.
But don’t fall into the trap of watching too many YouTube videos without practicing yourself. Watching isn’t learning. Doing is.
✍️ Tip #12: Create a Personal Error Book
This one’s a game-changer.
Every time you mess up a question, write it in an “Error Book.” Include:
The question
Your wrong answer
The correct method
A sentence explaining your mistake
Before exams, revise from your error book—not your textbook.
It’s your personal roadmap to fewer mistakes.
🗓️ Tip #13: Set a Realistic Study Schedule (No, Not 6 Hours a Day)
Consistency > Intensity.
Here’s a basic plan I use for students:
📅 Monday: Algebra + 1 topic paper Q
📅 Wednesday: Geometry + Error Book review
📅 Friday: Full past paper
📅 Sunday: Chill recap session (light questions + flashcards)
Make sure to take breaks and include downtime. Burnout ≠ success.
🤖 Tip #14: Beware of AI-generated Notes & “Magic Tricks”
I’ve seen students grab “AI summaries” of the syllabus or shortcut tricks online that make zero sense.
Some are helpful. Most are wrong. Or worse—confusing.
Stick to trusted resources, ask your teachers, and cross-check everything.
🏁 Exam-Day Hacks (That Actually Work)
🎯 Read the paper for 5 minutes without writing. Get a feel for it.
🧠 Start with your strongest topic. Build confidence fast.
🖊️ Show working. Even if the final answer is wrong, you can still score method marks.
❌ Don’t leave blanks. Make educated guesses if needed.
📏 Take 2 rulers (you’ll thank me when one breaks).
⏱️ Use your watch for time management. Don’t rely on the exam clock.
🧭 Final Thoughts: You’re Smarter Than You Think
Maths is tough—but not impossible.
It’s not about being a genius. It’s about strategy, mindset, and effort.
And trust me—as someone who’s watched hundreds of students go from “I suck at math” to scoring A*—you’ve got this.
Now, go grab a paper, sharpen that pencil, and show maths who’s boss.
✨ About the Author: Rose
Rose is a passionate IGCSE Maths teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience. She’s helped hundreds of students globally prepare for Cambridge and Edexcel maths exams, specializing in transforming “math-phobic” learners into confident problem-solvers.