0580_s26_gt — 2026 May-June Mathematics 0580 Grade Threshold · Cambridge CAIE IGCSE

Not showing working — writing only the final answer

“When calculations of two or more steps are needed, it is best if each step is shown separately for candidates' checking their own work and for method marks to be awarded.”— Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: Show every step: formula → substitution → calculation → answer. Even on calculator papers, write the formula used and the values substituted. For quadratic equations, show the full quadratic formula with values — calculator-only answers earn zero method marks.

Premature rounding — not keeping 4+ significant figures through working

“At least 4 figure accuracy should be used throughout the steps of the method if the final answer is to have 3 significant figure accuracy.”— Paper 2, March 2023

How to fix: Keep at least 4 significant figures through ALL intermediate steps. Only round the FINAL answer. Use the pi button on your calculator, not 3.14 or 22/7. For time: use exact fractions like 10/3 hours, not 3.33.

Using wrong geometric reasoning vocabulary

“'Z angles' is not accepted as this is the shape made with the parallel lines and not the proper reason — alternate angles.”— Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: Learn the exact terms: 'alternate angles' (not Z angles), 'co-interior angles sum to 180°' (not C angles), 'corresponding angles', 'angles in a semicircle = 90°', 'angle at centre = 2× angle at circumference', 'opposite angles of cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180°', 'tangent perpendicular to radius'.