Using IGCSE past papers effectively is one of the best ways to prepare for May/June 2026. This guide covers where to find them, how to use them, and how to improve your scores.

Why Past Papers Matter

• Format familiarity – You learn question types and structure.
• Time management – You practice working under exam conditions.
• Mark scheme insight – You see how marks are awarded.
• Gap identification – You find weak topics to revise.
• Confidence – You reduce exam-day nerves.

Official Sources

Source	URL	What You Get
Cambridge Past Papers	cambridgeinternational.org/past-papers	Papers, mark schemes, examiner reports
Cambridge Specimen Papers	Same site	New syllabus practice

Subject Codes Quick Reference

Subject	Code	Common Papers
Mathematics	0580	1, 2, 3, 4 (Core/Extended)
Additional Mathematics	0606	1, 2
Biology	0610	1–6 (MCQ, theory, practical)
Chemistry	0620	1–6
Physics	0625	1–6
English First Language	0500	1, 2
English as Second Language	0510	1, 2
Economics	0455	1, 2
Geography	0460	1, 2, 3, 4
History	0470	1, 2, 4

How to Use Past Papers

1. Revise the topic first – Don’t use past papers as your only revision.
2. Time yourself – Use the exact duration for each paper.
3. Mark strictly – Use the mark scheme; be honest.
4. Analyse errors – Note patterns (e.g. units, keywords, structure).
5. Revisit weak areas – Do more practice on those topics.
6. Repeat papers – Doing the same paper again after revision is useful.

Examiner Reports

Examiner reports summarise common mistakes and what examiners look for. They are on the Cambridge past papers page and are valuable for improving technique.

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