Cambridge International

Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607)

0607 sets three components per route, requires a graphic display calculator, and includes a dedicated investigation paper worth 20%. How it differs from 0580.

The short answer
Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607) sets three components per route rather than two, requires a graphic display calculator, and includes a dedicated investigation paper worth 20% of the qualification. Core candidates take Papers 1, 3 and 5 for grades C to G; Extended candidates take Papers 2, 4 and 6 for A* to E.

The specification at a glance

Syllabus code: 0607
Awarding body: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Syllabus version: 2025–2027
Components per candidate: 3
Core papers: Paper 1 (non-calc, 1h15, 60 marks, 40%), Paper 3 (calc, 1h15, 60 marks, 40%), Paper 5 (investigation, 1h15, 40 marks, 20%)
Extended papers: Paper 2 (non-calc, 1h30, 75 marks, 40%), Paper 4 (calc, 1h30, 75 marks, 40%), Paper 6 (investigation and modelling, 1h30, 50 marks, 20%)
Calculator: Graphic display calculator required
Core grades: C–G
Extended grades: A*–E
Exam series: June; November; March (India only)

This is not 0580 with a different name

0607 is a materially different qualification from Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580, and students moved between them mid-course are frequently caught out. It sets three components rather than two, uses shorter papers, and assesses a fifth of the qualification through investigation.

It is designed as a route into the IB Diploma and similar programmes, where investigative and modelling work is standard. Choosing it because it looked like the international version of 0580 is a common and expensive mistake.

Core — Paper 1 (non-calculator, 1h15, 60 marks), Paper 3 (calculator, 1h15, 60 marks), Paper 5 (investigation, 1h15, 40 marks)
Extended — Paper 2 (non-calculator, 1h30, 75 marks), Paper 4 (calculator, 1h30, 75 marks), Paper 6 (investigation and modelling, 1h30, 50 marks)

The graphic display calculator is required

0607 requires a graphic display calculator on its calculator components — not a scientific calculator, and not optionally. Questions are set on the assumption that a student can graph a function, read intersections and work numerically from a display.

That is a skill to be taught rather than a device to be bought in exam week. A student who first meets their GDC a month before the papers is carrying an avoidable disadvantage into 40% of the qualification.

The investigation paper

Paper 5 at Core is a single investigation. Paper 6 at Extended contains one investigation section and one modelling section. Between them they carry a fifth of the marks, and they are unlike anything on 0580.

They reward sustained work on an unfamiliar problem: noticing a pattern, testing it, generalising it and writing the reasoning down. Past-paper drilling of technique does very little for them, which is why they are where prepared and unprepared candidates separate most sharply.

Assessment objectives

As with the other Cambridge mathematics syllabuses, there are two assessment objectives and no AO3.

AO1 — knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques: 55–65% Core, 40–50% Extended
AO2 — analyse, interpret and communicate mathematically: 35–45% Core, 50–60% Extended

How we prepare students for 0607

We teach 0607 through our international curriculum programme, one-to-one, because the investigation work needs a tutor watching a student think rather than marking a finished answer.

Graphic display calculator fluency starts in the first sessions, not the last. And we are direct with families who have a choice still open: 0607 suits a student heading for the IB, while 0580 or 0980 is usually the better fit for one heading towards A Levels.

Of the qualification assessed by investigation and modelling: 20%Of the qualification assessed by investigation and modelling[1]
Components per candidate, against 2 on syllabus 0580: 3Components per candidate, against 2 on syllabus 0580[1]
A graphic display calculator is required, not merely permitted: GDCA graphic display calculator is required, not merely permitted[1]

Common questions

What is the difference between IGCSE Maths 0580 and 0607?

0607 sets three components per route rather than two, uses shorter papers, requires a graphic display calculator, and assesses 20% of the qualification through a dedicated investigation and modelling paper. 0580 has no investigation component and requires only a scientific calculator. They are different qualifications, not variants of one.

Do students need a graphic display calculator for 0607?

Yes. A graphic display calculator is required on the calculator components. This is a syllabus requirement rather than a recommendation, and questions assume the student can use one fluently.

Which is better preparation for the IB Diploma?

0607 was designed with that progression in mind — its investigation and modelling work maps closely onto IB mathematics coursework. A student heading for A Levels instead is generally better served by 0580 or 0980.

How much of 0607 is the investigation paper worth?

20% of the qualification. Paper 5 at Core is one investigation; Paper 6 at Extended contains an investigation section and a modelling section.

Sources

Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics 0607 — syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027 — Cambridge Assessment International Education
Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics 0607 — qualification page — Cambridge Assessment International Education

Last updated August 7, 2026