Overview
IGCSE sits in the same Cambridge universe as O-Level and A-Level — but paper codes, depth, and wording differ. Treating them as interchangeable wastes marks.
IGCSE vs O-Level (practical difference)
For Cambridge Cambridge subject past papers, always check your entered syllabus code on the front of mocks.
| IGCSE | O-Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Codes | e.g. 0580, 0625 | e.g. 4024, 5054 |
| Depth | Often broader | Often more structured national route |
| Wording | Syllabus-specific | Syllabus-specific |
How to label papers correctly
For Cambridge Cambridge subject past papers, use code/session/component in your folder:
0580/2024/may/paper-2
Wrong code = wrong mark scheme = false confidence.
Mark scheme habits at IGCSE
For Cambridge Cambridge subject past papers, ---
- Keyword precision in sciences
- Show working on calculations
- Command words still matter — see command words guide
Moving from IGCSE to A-Level
For Cambridge Cambridge subject past papers, expect:
- Longer questions
- More chained method marks
- Less “list and leave”
Bridge with one A-Level structured question per week in the term before A-Level starts.
Using MarkScheme
Select the exact subject code you sit (we support many Cambridge routes on [subjects](/subjects)). Use Past paper when the session is in library.
FAQ
For Cambridge Cambridge subject past papers, no — compare within the same qualification and series.