Cambridge IGCSE™: Mathematics 0580/32 February/March 2025
Cambridge IGCSE™: Mathematics 0580/32 February/March 2025
MATHEMATICS 0580/32
Paper 3 (Calculator) February/March 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 80
Pre-standardisation
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
● the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptions for the question
● the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptions for the question
● the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
● marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
● marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
● marks are not deducted for errors
● marks are not deducted for omissions
● answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptions.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptions in mind.
1 Unless a particular method has been specified in the question, full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if a calculation is required
then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
2 Unless specified in the question, non-integer answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form. Ignore superfluous zeros, provided that the
degree of accuracy is not affected.
3 Allow alternative conventions for notation if used consistently throughout the paper, e.g. commas being used as decimal points.
4 Unless otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct form of answer is ignored (isw).
5 Where a candidate has misread a number or sign in the question and used that value consistently throughout, provided that number does not alter the
difficulty or the method required, award all marks earned and deduct just 1 A or B mark for the misread.
6 Recovery within working is allowed, e.g. a notation error in the working where the following line of working makes the candidate’s intent clear.
3. Read through the question paper and provisional mark scheme. There WILL be further amendments to this mark scheme and you will be emailed a final
version of the mark scheme following the STM meeting to use for live marking.
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4. Browse scripts in RMA . Please look at as many as you can and refer any queries/issues to your Team Leader for consideration at their STM meeting.
STANDARDISATION
1. A FINAL mark scheme will be issued after the STM meeting. You must use this version of the mark scheme for your marking.
2. Download and mark 10 practice scripts and check them, ensuring the Comments Box is open (the Principal Examiner will add comments justifying the
marking of questions when it is not obvious). When you have checked your practice scripts, submit them.
3. Download and mark 10 standardisation scripts and submit them to your Team Leader.
4. Your Team Leader will feed back to you and approve your marking or ask you to mark a further 10 standardisation scripts.
MARKING - GENERAL
1. Mark strictly to the mark scheme and make no departure from it.
2. If you are in doubt about applying the mark scheme, or if you feel a candidate is being unfairly penalised by the application of the mark scheme, consult
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your Team Leader, preferably using the RMA messaging system.
3. Any blank pages and the formula page are included in the first zone. These must be checked for responses by scrolling down and then adding
the SEEN annotation. If a blank page contains no questions and some relevant working follow the ‘Link pages to response’ procedure.
4. If you receive a script with Additional Objects, please add a SEEN annotation to each page to show that you have checked these pages.
7. If the response in the answer space is incorrect, appropriate marks can be awarded by looking back at the working.
The marks available in these cases are:
M for any correct method applied to the appropriate numbers, even though a numerical error may be involved,
A for an accurate result within the working after the relevant M mark has been earned,
B for a particular result, statement or expression identified in the scheme.
SC for a special case.
8. When the answer space is blank, full marks can be awarded for the correct answer shown as the final working in the working space.
Similarly, if the working space is blank, M, A or B marks can be awarded for appropriate working or results given in the answer space.
9. Where a candidate has crossed out a complete part of a question, it should be marked provided that it has not been replaced.
10. If two or more methods are offered, mark the method that leads to the answer on the answer line. If two or more answers are offered, mark the worst.
Annotate appropriately if this is the case.
11. Method marks are for a full correct method but may be lost if subsequent incorrect method is shown.
12. Unless a particular method has been specified in the question, full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if a calculation is required
then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
13. Transcription errors apply to numerical figures only. When the answer in the answer space is incorrect because of a clear transcription error of a correct
answer then marks may be awarded. There must not be any possibility of further incorrect work having been done. Example 123 correct answer in
working but transcribed at 132 in answer space – allow mark. NB 123 in working and 12.3 in the answer space is not a transcription error; neither is –123
in working and 123 in the answer space.
14. Where the answer in the answer space is incorrect because of a clear transcription error, then marks may be awarded.
15. Occasionally a candidate will misread a number in a question and use that value consistently throughout. Provided that number does not alter the
difficulty or method required, award all marks earned and withhold 1 mark from the total for that part or from the A or B marks earned. M marks are still
awarded in any case. Record this by using the MR annotation. This is only applied once in a whole question. MR is not applied when the candidate
misreads his or her own figures – this is regarded as an error in accuracy and marked accordingly. Example scenario 1: If a candidate misreads a value in
part (a) and then continues to use the same misread value in part (b), then the misread rule is only applied to part (a) and all marks in part (b) are
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0580/32 IGCSE Mathematics – Mark Scheme February/March 2025
PRE-STANDARDISATION
available (followed through).
Example scenario 2: If a candidate misreads a value and uses it in only one part of a question e.g. in part (a) the value is misread but not in part (b) or
vice versa, then the misread rules are applied to part (a) and part (b) is marked as normal in line with the mark scheme.
16. Unless specified in the question, answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form. Other acceptable forms will be given in the mark
scheme. However, it is likely that expressions that have not been evaluated, e.g. 1.5/6 will not be given full marks. Ignore superfluous zeros provided that
the degree of accuracy is not affected.
17. Allow any sensible notation. Watch out for commas being used for decimal points and dots being used for products. Brackets may be seen to represent
inequalities.
18. Anything in the mark scheme which is in square brackets […] is not required for the mark to be earned, but if present it must be correct.
19. For a decimal answer between 0 and 1, ignore the omission of the first zero e.g. answer of 0.418, accept .418
20. Answer spaces will usually have an appropriate unit. If a candidate clearly chooses and writes down a different unit, with a value that matches the correct
answer, and the aim of the question is not affected, then allow full marks.
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ABBREVIATIONS IN MARK SCHEME AND ANOTATIONS IN RMA
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Abbreviation Annotation in RMA Meaning
M Method marks - for a correct method applied to appropriate numbers.
oe Or equivalent
Omission sign
Misread
The M, A and B etc annotations must be used on your standardisation scripts for responses that are not awarded either 0 or full marks.
It is not mandatory to use annotations for any other marking (unless stated in the mark scheme) though you may wish to use them in some
circumstances.
ACCURACY
1. If a question asks for a particular level of accuracy then the mark scheme will include specific details.
Example
Suppose a calculator display correctly gives 6.3255532 and the general rubric on the front cover of the paper applies and the mark scheme
applies the usual rules about 3 sf or more.
The mark scheme will specify 6.33 or 6.325 to 6.326.
The following answers on the answer line have been given.
6.3 A0 if no more accurate answer in working; A1 if a correct, 3 sf or more accurate answer in working
6.32 A0 if no more accurate answer in working; A1 if a correct, 3 sf or more accurate answer in working
6.325 A1 (in range)
6.326 A1 (in range)
6.3255 A1 (in range)
3. General principles are:
● 2 sf answers will not imply method in most cases.
● If the final answer on the answer line has clearly been spoiled from the 3sf or more answer seen in the working (e.g further processing, not just
rounding errors) don’t allow the marks.
4. Follow through:
● If an accuracy FT is available in another part of the question, then give the FT mark for a correct follow through from a value which has lost the
accuracy mark in the first part.
Examples
The answer in the mark scheme for (a) is 6.33 or 6.325 to 6.326.
The mark scheme for (b) is their (a) × 25 M1
158 or 158.3 or 158.1 to 158.2 A1FT
Example 1
(a) 6.3 on answer line, no more accurate answer in working A0
(b) 6.3 × 25 = 157.5 M1A1FT (FT as accuracy mark lost in part (a))
Example 2
(a) 6.3 on answer line, 6.33 in working A1
(b) 6.3 × 25 = 157.5 M1A0 (No FT as accuracy mark given in (a) and the wrongly used value has been used in (b))
5. Money
● Exact answer $123.45 $123.5 and $123 on the answer line score A0, unless exact answer seen in working, in which case score A1.
● Exact answer $670.40 $670.4 on the answer line scores A1
● Inexact answer $387.25666… $387.26 or $387.3 or $387 on the answer line score A1
ie correctly rounded to 3 sf or better
6. Exact answers involving π and
● Exact answer 2.345 π Mark scheme will indicate if answers must be given as integers due to context.
allow A1 for 2.345 π on the answer line
allow A0 for 2.35 π
● Exact answer 23 Mark scheme will indicate if answers must be given as integers due to context.
Scores A1 if the question is not set in context and the √(prime number) is given on the answer line.
Surd answers which simplify need not be simplified e.g. 12 or 2 3 are acceptable unless the mark scheme
states otherwise.
REPORT
Please send a brief report on the work of your candidates to your Team Leader by e-mail before the final marking date. Your report should cover
candidate responses to questions and any other matters that you wish to draw to the attention of Centres.
General Principles
If final answer in main column, no transcription errors allowed.
Algebraic negative answers – allow transcription error if positive on answer line as long as the negative answer given in the working.
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0580/32 IGCSE Mathematics – Mark Scheme February/March 2025
PRE-STANDARDISATION
1 39 1
3(a) 33 1 tolerance 31 to 35
4(a) 39 1
4(b) 35 1
4(c) 37 1
4(d) 32 1
4(e) 38 1
6 2 B1 for 6 seen
or M1 for or better
7(a) g 1
B1 for [C=] 9
[
or M1 for 16.5×10 oe or better
or M2 for or
soi by or 3
or M1 for
soi by 185
or oe
17(a) 54 1
17(b) 1
soi by 112.5
or [ oe
or ( )[ soi by 0.125
20(c) 26.6 or 26.56 to 25.57 2 M1 for tan[ oe Accept complete longer equivalent
methods eg using Pythagoras and cosine
or sine.
21(b)(i) or final answer 2 B1 for or if written = 540 then maximum one mark
or correct answer seen then spoilt