All Cambridge IGCSE Subjects
0 ChaptersIGCSE Syllabus 2026-27: How Cambridge IGCSE Subjects Are Structured
Last checked: 28 September 2026
Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses are written for a fixed run of exam years, so the first thing to check is the version, not the topic list. Mathematics 0580 covers exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, while First Language English 0500 moves to a new syllabus for 2027. Revise from the wrong document and you can miss content or practise a paper format you will never sit.
This guide explains how tiers, grades and exam series work, which syllabus applies to each of the 13 subjects in this tracker, and a plan that takes you from first reading to full timed papers. Everything was checked against Cambridge International's own documents.
| Topic | What Cambridge says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Core tier | Core content only. In Maths 0580, Core candidates sit Papers 1 and 3 and can get grades C to G. | Suits students expected to get a D or below in that subject. |
| Extended tier | Core plus Supplement content. Maths 0580 Extended: A* to E. Physics 0625 (2026–2028) Extended: A* to G. | Extended students are examined on every Core topic too. |
| Untiered subjects | Some syllabuses have no tiers. In First Language English 0500 every candidate can get A* to G. | Use the All Tiers view for these subjects. |
| Grading scale | A* to G worldwide. 9–1 versions such as 0980 Maths and 0970 Biology are offered to schools in administrative zone 3. | Same content, different code. The scale cannot be switched after the entries deadline. |
| Exam series | June and November for everyone, plus March for schools in India. | Results arrive in August, January and May respectively. |
Which syllabus applies to your exam year
Chapter counts below are this tracker's built-in list: 142 chapters across 13 subjects, 16 of them marked Extended only. They are study-sized units, not an official Cambridge count.
| Subject (code) | Chapters in tracker | Syllabus for 2026 exams | Syllabus for 2027 exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (0580) | 9 | 2025–2027 | 2025–2027 |
| Additional Mathematics (0606) | 15 | 2025–2027 | 2025–2027 |
| Physics (0625) | 23 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Chemistry (0620) | 12 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Biology (0610) | 21 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Computer Science (0478) | 10 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| ICT (0417) | 10 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Economics (0455) | 6 | 2026 | 2027–2029 |
| Accounting (0452) | 7 | 2026 | 2027–2029 |
| Business Studies (0450) | 6 | 2026 | Replaced by Business (0264), first exams March 2027 |
| First Language English (0500) | 8 | 2024–2026 | 2027–2029 |
| History (0470) | 8 | 2024–2026 | 2027–2028 |
| Geography (0460) | 7 | 2025–2026 | 2027–2029 |
How IGCSE syllabuses and papers are structured
- Read the assessment overview first. It lists the papers you sit, their length, marks and weighting. The subject content comes after it, topic by topic.
- Extended means Core plus Supplement. Supplement lines are marked separately in the syllabus, so an Extended student has to cover both columns.
- Papers depend on tier. In Maths 0580, Core takes Papers 1 and 3 and Extended takes Papers 2 and 4. Calculators are not allowed on Papers 1 and 2.
- Grade thresholds change every series. Cambridge publishes component thresholds after each series, so do not aim for a fixed percentage copied from an old year.
Exam series and deadlines
IGCSE exams run in June and November worldwide. Schools in India can also enter candidates for the March series. Results come out in August for June, January for November and May for March. Each of Cambridge's six administrative zones has its own timetable, so check yours.
Your school sets the internal entry deadline and makes the entry, including your tier and grading scale. Private candidates can enter for many syllabuses, including 0580, through an exam centre that accepts them.
How to use the tracker's milestones
- Pick your subjects with Customize Subjects. The default set is Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and English.
- Set your tier with All Tiers, Extended (A*) or Core Tier. The Core view hides the 16 Extended-only chapters.
- Tick six milestones per chapter: Theory / Spec (20%), Notes (15%), Topicals (20%), Past Papers (20%), Mark Scheme (15%) and Revision (10%). A chapter shows as Mastered at 100%.
- Use ★ High Weightage in the sidebar to see the chapters flagged as carrying more marks.
- Each chapter card links to the official Cambridge subject page for that syllabus. Signing in with Google is needed to tick milestones and sync devices, and Export Backup JSON saves a copy.
A realistic plan with past papers and mark schemes
- During the course: after each topic, read the matching syllabus lines (Theory / Spec) and write short Notes.
- Within a week of learning a topic: do past-paper questions sorted by topic (Topicals) and mark them straight away.
- In the last few months: sit full Past Papers under timed conditions, one subject at a time, using the papers for your tier.
- Same day as each paper: mark it with the official Mark Scheme, note every lost mark and read the examiner report for that series.
- Revision: come back to each chapter more than once, spaced out, and test yourself instead of rereading. Time the sessions with a free online study timer or the group study timer so your hours are logged.
For weekly hour targets, see how many hours to study for IGCSE and the IGCSE preparation guide.
Common mistakes
- Revising from the wrong syllabus year, such as the 2024–2026 English 0500 syllabus for a 2027 exam.
- Extended students skipping Core topics because they look easy.
- Marking with unofficial answers instead of the Cambridge mark scheme.
- Doing only topical questions and never a full timed paper before the exam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IGCSE syllabus for 2026?
What is the difference between Core and Extended in IGCSE?
How do I find my IGCSE subject syllabus code?
When are IGCSE exams held and when do results come out?
Is IGCSE graded A*-G or 9-1?
Are old IGCSE past papers still useful if the syllabus changed?
Sources checked in September 2026: Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 syllabus 2025-2027, Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus 2026-2028, Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 syllabus 2027-2029, Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450, Cambridge IGCSE grading choice, Cambridge results services. Syllabus years for the other subjects were read from each Cambridge subject page.
