Mathematics

Cambridge International calculator guidance

IGCSE Mathematics students will require a scientific calculator when studying the course and for examinations. As stated below, Cambridge International allows for a wide range of calculators to be used in examinations. Pamoja teachers have suggested the Casio ClassWiz models as suitable for this course, such as the fx-350 EX, or the fx-991 EX if going on to study mathematics at A Level. Candidates can use programmable calculators [in examinations]. However, calculators with any of the following facilities are not allowed, unless stated otherwise in the syllabus:

• graphic display
• data banks
• dictionaries
• language translators
• retrieval or manipulation of text or formulae
• QWERTY keyboards
• built-in symbolic algebraic manipulations (output must be numeric not algebraic)
• symbolic differentiation or integration (output must be numeric not algebraic)
• capability of any remote communication

Activities and assessments

The course includes the following activities: worked problems and practice exercises on core topics, quizzes and marked assignments. Teachers will review and grade assignments during the course. There are also unit discussions to support students with each topic. For the final examination students will take one of two routes consisting of two externally-assessed papers:

• Paper 2 (Extended) —1 hour 30 minutes, 35%, short-answer questions on the extended curriculum
• Paper 4 (Extended) —2 hours 30 minutes, 65%, structured questions on the extended curriculum

Advice from our teachers

In order to succeed in IGCSE Mathematics, we recommend students set aside five to six hours a week to study. It is important that students regularly keep up with the readings and the course activities in a timely manner. And that they contact their Pamoja teacher if they fall behind or need help with assignments.