IGCSE Maths Tutor: Cambridge and Edexcel

How it works, in short

TaleemSquare IGCSE maths tutoring is live, one-to-one online support in 45-minute lessons for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580, or 0980 graded 9-1) and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1). Tutors teach the right tier, Core or Extended for Cambridge and Foundation or Higher for Edexcel, using that board's past papers.

IGCSE is widely taken at international schools in the Middle East and Asia and at UK independent schools, so lessons are booked in your local time. Cambridge sets one non-calculator and one calculator paper per tier, while Edexcel allows a calculator on both papers. Plans start at £69 a month after a free assessment.

Also called:GCSE Maths (Years 10-11) (UK)Grades 9-10 maths (US)Grades 9-10 maths (CA)Years 9-10 maths (AU)

Format: Live, one-to-one, online
Lesson length: 45 minutes
Level: Ages 14-16
Price: From £69 a month

What changes after a term of lessons

Lessons happen on a shared whiteboard, so your child solves while the tutor watches and guides (example lesson).

Clear on the whole syllabus

Knows every topic area on their syllabus, from number and algebra to mensuration, vectors and statistics, and which ones still need work.

Finishing papers in time

Can complete a full Core or Extended paper, or a 2-hour Edexcel paper, within the time while still showing working.

Accurate with or without a calculator

Uses written methods on Cambridge's non-calculator papers and the calculator efficiently where it is allowed.

What we cover

Lessons follow your child's own school or homeschool curriculum. These are the areas we work on most at this level.

Number

Types of number, fractions, percentages, standard form, bounds and ratio, plus surds for Cambridge Extended and Edexcel Higher students.

Algebra and graphs

Equations, inequalities, sequences and graphs including quadratics and exponentials. Extended and Higher add composite and inverse functions, and Cambridge Extended adds domain and range.

Geometry and mensuration

Angle properties, circle theorems, constructions, and the perimeter, area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes such as cones, spheres and pyramids.

Trigonometry

Pythagoras and right-angled trigonometry for every student, then the sine and cosine rules, 3D problems and, for Cambridge Extended, exact trig values.

Vectors and transformations

Translations, reflections, rotations and enlargements for all students, with vector arithmetic and vector geometry at Extended and Higher.

Probability and statistics

Averages, charts, tree and Venn diagrams, and at the upper tiers, conditional probability, cumulative frequency and histograms.

Introductory calculus

Cambridge Extended and Edexcel Higher both include differentiation of simple powers of x, used to find gradients and turning points of curves.

Past papers and timing

Cambridge Core papers last 1 hour 30 minutes and Extended papers 2 hours; Edexcel papers last 2 hours. Tutors build up to full timed papers.

Signs your child could use help

Unsure whether Core or Extended is the right entry
Recently changed schools and is now on a different syllabus
Finds the Cambridge non-calculator paper much harder than the calculator one
Predicted grade falls short of sixth form or IB entry requirements
Comfortable with algebra but weak in geometry and mensuration
Has never sat a full past paper under timed conditions

One of these on its own is normal. Two or three together usually point to a specific gap, and finding it is what the free assessment is for.

Taught to your curriculum, wherever you live

IGCSE Maths for families in the US

US families usually meet IGCSE at British-curriculum international schools or after moving from one abroad. The content sits close to Grades 9-10, mainly Algebra 1 and Geometry with some Algebra 2, and lessons follow the Cambridge or Edexcel syllabus rather than state standards.

Level: Grades 9-10 maths

IGCSE Mathematics at UK schools

Many UK independent schools enter students for Cambridge IGCSE or Edexcel International GCSE instead of GCSE, usually at the end of Year 11. Cambridge 0980 and Edexcel 4MA1 use the 9-1 grades familiar from GCSE, while Cambridge 0580 is graded A* to G.

Level: GCSE Maths (Years 10-11)

IGCSE Maths for families in Canada

Canadian provinces teach their own Grade 9 and 10 courses, so IGCSE students in Canada are usually at international schools or have recently moved from abroad. Tutors follow the Cambridge or Edexcel syllabus and can point out where it overlaps with provincial maths.

Level: Grades 9-10 maths

IGCSE Maths for families in Australia

Australian schools follow the Australian Curriculum or state syllabuses, so IGCSE matters mainly for families arriving from international schools overseas. Its content compares broadly with Year 9 and 10 maths, and lessons stay with the IGCSE syllabus and exam style.

Level: Years 9-10 maths

Inside a 45-minute IGCSE maths lesson

One 45-minute session. Tutors adjust the timings to your child.

5 min
Quick recall
Mixed questions on topics from earlier units.
12 min
Syllabus topic
The next topic on the syllabus, taught on the shared whiteboard.
16 min
Past-paper practice
Questions from your child's board, worked through with coaching.
7 min
Marking
Checking answers against the official mark scheme.
5 min
Wrap-up
Homework and a WhatsApp update for you.

How we teach IGCSE maths

Right syllabus, right tier

Cambridge and Edexcel differ in paper structure and some content, so the tutor plans from your child's exact syllabus code and tier.

Non-calculator practice for Cambridge

Since 2025, each Cambridge tier includes a non-calculator paper, so tutors build written methods early instead of leaving them to the final term.

Lessons in your time zone

Lessons are booked in local time, whether you are in Dubai, Singapore or London, including weekends.

Working back from the exam date

Cambridge runs June and November series, so the plan counts back from your child's actual exam session, with timed papers in the final weeks.

Fractions and multiplication practice worksheet — Practice set for between lessons (example).

Student progress report showing math skills — Progress by skill, reviewed with you (example).

WhatsApp message from a math tutor to a parent — A WhatsApp update after every class (example).

Simple monthly plans

£69a month for 2 one-to-one maths lessons a week

Free 45-minute assessment first
No contract, cancel any month
No registration fee
4-class money-back promise
Switch tutor at no cost
WhatsApp update after every class

Starter

2 lessons a week, best for keeping up with school

£69/mo

GrowthMost chosen

3 lessons a week, best for catching up + building confidence

£95/mo

Intensive

4 lessons a week, best for exam prep & fast improvement

£119/mo

Full pricing and how we compare

Common worries, honest answers

“Our school uses Cambridge, but most help we find is for GCSE.”

Tutors work from the syllabus code your child is entered for, whether 0580, 0980 or 4MA1, and use that board's own papers and mark schemes, so styles never get mixed.

“We live in the Gulf and good time slots are hard to find.”

We schedule lessons in your local time, including weekends, so they can sit straight after the school day or on a free morning.

“My child may move on to A-levels or the IB afterwards.”

Cambridge recommends its Extended content as preparation for AS and A Level Mathematics. Tutors can strengthen the algebra and functions that A-level and IB Diploma maths build on, alongside current IGCSE work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Cambridge 0580 and 0980?

Both are Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics, with the same Core and Extended tiers and the same paper structure. The difference is grading: 0580 is graded A* to G, while 0980 uses the 9-1 scale that English GCSEs use, with Core entries capped at grade 5. The school chooses which version to enter, and tutoring is the same for both.

How is Cambridge IGCSE maths assessed?

Core students sit Paper 1 without a calculator and Paper 3 with one, each 1 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks. Extended students sit Paper 2 (non-calculator) and Paper 4 (calculator), each 2 hours and 100 marks. On 0580, Core leads to grades C to G and Extended to A* to E. Exams run in the June and November series.

How is Edexcel International GCSE maths assessed?

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A (4MA1) has two papers per tier, each lasting 2 hours and worth 100 marks, and a calculator is allowed in both. Foundation covers grades 5 to 1, and Higher covers 9 to 4 with grade 3 allowed. A formulae sheet is provided for each tier.

How much does an online IGCSE maths tutor cost?

At TaleemSquare, one-to-one IGCSE maths tutoring costs £69 a month for two 45-minute lessons a week, which works out at about £8.63 a lesson. Three lessons a week is £95 a month and four is £119, with no contract, no registration fee and a free assessment before the first lesson.

Should my child take Core or Extended?

Extended is needed for the top grades: on 0580, Core is limited to grade C, and on 0980 to grade 5. Sixth forms and IB schools often ask for grades that only Extended can reach. The school makes the final entry decision, and the free assessment gives you an honest view of which tier suits your child now.

Do you tutor IGCSE students outside the UK?

Yes. Lessons are online, so we can teach IGCSE students wherever they live, including at international schools in the Middle East and Asia, with lessons booked in local time. Parents receive WhatsApp updates after lessons, and tutors follow the school's order of topics whenever you share it.

IGCSE Maths Tutor for Cambridge and Edexcel Students