Course Outline
Paper structure, syllabus topics, grade thresholds, and examiner tips for Cambridge O Level Mathematics.
Exam Structure
| Component | Format | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Short-answer, no calculator | 2 h | 80 | 44% |
| Paper 2 | Structured questions, calculator allowed | 2 h 30 min | 100 | 56% |
| Total | 180 | 100% |
Both papers are sat in the same exam session. No coursework component.
Paper 1 — What to Expect
Short-answer questions worth 1–3 marks each. No working is required for single-mark answers, but showing method protects marks if you make arithmetic errors. No calculator. Topics tested: number, algebra, geometry, mensuration, and statistics — but not the heavier trigonometry or transformation questions (those favour Paper 2).
Paper 2 — What to Expect
Longer structured questions worth 4–12 marks. Method marks are available throughout. Calculator is permitted (graphical or scientific). Questions often have multiple parts that build on each other — if you can't do part (i), you can still earn follow-through marks in part (ii).
Syllabus Topics
Section 1 — Number
Directed numbers · fractions and decimals · percentages · ratio and proportion · rates · standard form (scientific notation) · surds and indices · limits of accuracy
Section 2 — Algebra
Algebraic manipulation · formulae substitution · linear and quadratic equations · simultaneous equations · inequalities · sequences and nth term · functions · indices and logarithms
Section 3 — Geometry and Mensuration
Lines, angles, polygons · circle theorems · constructions and loci · perimeter, area, volume, surface area of 2D and 3D shapes · Pythagoras' theorem · similar and congruent figures
Section 4 — Trigonometry
Right-angled triangles · bearings · sine and cosine rules · 3D trigonometry problems
Section 5 — Vectors and Transformations
Column vectors · magnitude · transformations: translation, reflection, rotation, enlargement · combined transformations
Section 6 — Matrices
Operations (add, subtract, multiply) · determinant and inverse of 2×2 matrix · transformation matrices
Section 7 — Statistics and Probability
Mean, median, mode, range · frequency tables and histograms · cumulative frequency and box plots · scatter diagrams and correlation · independent and combined probability · tree diagrams
Grade Thresholds
Thresholds vary by series. Approximate typical benchmarks:
| Grade | Approx. % |
|---|---|
| A | 70 – 75 |
| B | 60 – 65 |
| C | 50 – 55 |
| D | 40 – 45 |
| E | 30 – 35 |
Check Cambridge's published grade threshold documents for the exact values for your series.
Examiner Tips
- Show all working — method marks are awarded even when the answer is wrong.
- Learn the non-calculator Paper 1 tricks: fraction arithmetic, percentage change shortcuts, exact trigonometric values (sin 30°, cos 45°, tan 60°, etc.).
- Circle theorems are high-yield: six theorems, each tested repeatedly.
- In probability questions, state the sample space clearly before writing any fractions.