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  2. ›STUDY GUIDE
  3. ›UK, Cambridge, A Level and IB
  4. ›IGCSE Year 11
  5. ›Mathematics
  6. ›Exam preparation

IGCSE Year 11 / Mathematics / Curriculum

Exam preparation

Exam preparation: structured theory, worked examples, answered practice, and a mastery checklist for IGCSE Year 11.

CHAPTER PLAN

Learn, practise, and check your progress

Follow the steps in order or jump directly to the part you need.

—/5

completed

Estimated active study time

209 minutes

  1. 1. Understand

    Objectives, key ideas, and structured theory.

    Open →
  2. 2. Follow the method

    Worked examples that explain every step.

    Open →
  3. 3. Practise

    Graded tasks with hints and answer guidance.

    Open →
  4. 4. Consolidate

    Assignments from core work to challenge.

    Open →
  5. 5. Check

    A timed, marked test with solution guidance.

    Open →

Progress is stored only in this browser and does not require AI credits.

Learning objectives

  • ✓Recognise, explain, and apply “Core/Extended route”.
  • ✓Recognise, explain, and apply “Paper 2/4 or route-specific papers”.
  • ✓Recognise, explain, and apply “Command words”.
  • ✓Recognise, explain, and apply “Mark-scheme patterns”.
  • ✓Recognise, explain, and apply “Time management”.

Key ideas and checks

  • I can convert safely between number forms.
  • I can explain why the chosen operation is appropriate.
  • Every solution or explanation for “Exam preparation” should include a method, justification, and final check.

Unit

Core theory

The essential chapter ideas in a clear sequence before practice.

01

Represent before calculating

Write the number in a useful form, check sign and place value, and only then choose the operation. A clear representation reduces mechanical errors.

02

Equivalent forms

Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and powers can describe the same quantity. Changing form is a solving tool, not a separate trick.

03

Reasonableness check

Estimate before and after the exact calculation. The sign, order of magnitude, and unit must agree with the problem context.

04

Core/Extended route

Use a suitable representation, state the rule, and keep every numerical or algebraic step equivalent. Finish with estimation, an inverse operation, or substitution as a check.

05

Paper 2/4 or route-specific papers

Use a suitable representation, state the rule, and keep every numerical or algebraic step equivalent. Finish with estimation, an inverse operation, or substitution as a check.

06

Command words

Use a suitable representation, state the rule, and keep every numerical or algebraic step equivalent. Finish with estimation, an inverse operation, or substitution as a check.

07

Mark-scheme patterns

Use a suitable representation, state the rule, and keep every numerical or algebraic step equivalent. Finish with estimation, an inverse operation, or substitution as a check.

08

Time management

Use a suitable representation, state the rule, and keep every numerical or algebraic step equivalent. Finish with estimation, an inverse operation, or substitution as a check.

Mathematics

Worked examples

Follow the method step by step and check why every step is valid.

Worked number example

Calculate and simplify 5/35 + 7/35.

  1. 1The denominators are equal, so add the numerators.
  2. 2Write (5 + 7)/35.
  3. 3Simplify by a common factor and check that the value is reasonable.

12/35

Reasoning example

Before calculating, explain the key idea from “Core/Extended route” and which conditions must be checked.

  1. 1Define the idea in one clear sentence.
  2. 2Connect it to a representation, law, or formula.
  3. 3State a restriction, unit, or final check that makes the solution valid.

The answer should show not only which rule is used for “Core/Extended route”, but also why it is valid here.

Exam preparation

Practice with answers

Eight graded tasks from core fluency to exam-style application. Work independently before opening a hint or answer.

Core fluency4 minutes

Calculate 9 + 6 × 15 and justify the order of operations.

Hint

Multiplication precedes addition.

Answer guide

9 + 6 · 15 = 99.

Core fluency5 minutes

Find 5/15 of 45.

Hint

Multiply by the fraction and simplify first.

Answer guide

5/15 · 45 = 15.

Application6 minutes

Increase 400 by 40%.

Hint

Use multiplier 1 + 40/100.

Answer guide

400 · 1.40 = 560.0.

Application7 minutes

Divide 72 in the ratio 4:2.

Hint

There are 6 ratio parts.

Answer guide

72 : 6 = 12; 48 and 24.

Reasoning8 minutes

Compare 7/11 and 4/28 using a common denominator or decimals.

Hint

Use cross-products.

Answer guide

7 · 28 = 196, 4 · 11 = 44; 7/11 > 4/28.

Reasoning9 minutes

Write 1800000 in standard form.

Hint

The first factor must be at least 1 and less than 10.

Answer guide

1800000 = 1.8 × 10^6.

Exam style10 minutes

Estimate 588 ÷ 29.700000000000003, then calculate to one decimal place.

Hint

Round to compatible numbers before calculating exactly.

Answer guide

Estimate ≈ 600 ÷ 30 = 20.0. Exact ≈ 19.8.

Exam style12 minutes

Test the claim 9² + 5² = 14² and explain.

Hint

Calculate both sides separately.

Answer guide

81 + 25 = 106, while 14² = 196; false.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping brackets or using the wrong order of operations.
  • Converting a fraction or percentage without checking equivalence.
  • Answering without an estimate, unit, or sign check.

Mastery check

  • ✓I can convert safely between number forms.
  • ✓I can explain why the chosen operation is appropriate.
  • ✓I check the result with estimation or an inverse operation.

Exam preparation

Chapter homework

Six distinct assignments from core fluency to challenge, each with an estimated time, hint, and answer guide.

Core8 minutes

Homework 1: Calculate 5 + 2 × 7 and justify the order of operations.

Hint

Multiplication precedes addition.

Answer guide

5 + 2 · 7 = 19.

Core10 minutes

Homework 2: Find 8/32 of 128.

Hint

Multiply by the fraction and simplify first.

Answer guide

8/32 · 128 = 32.

Stretch12 minutes

Homework 3: Increase 240 by 20%.

Hint

Use multiplier 1 + 20/100.

Answer guide

240 · 1.20 = 288.0.

Stretch15 minutes

Homework 4: Divide 120 in the ratio 7:3.

Hint

There are 10 ratio parts.

Answer guide

120 : 10 = 12; 84 and 36.

Challenge18 minutes

Homework 5: Compare 3/8 and 5/15 using a common denominator or decimals.

Hint

Use cross-products.

Answer guide

3 · 15 = 45, 5 · 8 = 40; 3/8 > 5/15.

Challenge20 minutes

Homework 6: Write 1200000 in standard form.

Hint

The first factor must be at least 1 and less than 10.

Answer guide

1200000 = 1.2 × 10^6.

50 minutes / 40 marks

Full chapter test

A timed, full-mark self-assessment with model-answer guidance.

Test timer

Ready to start

Time remaining: 50:00

Start the timer when ready, work without notes, show every step, and open model answers only after finishing.

1. Calculate 3 + 2 × 5 and justify the order of operations.

2 marks
Answer guide

3 + 2 · 5 = 13.

2. Find 6/24 of 96.

3 marks
Answer guide

6/24 · 96 = 24.

3. Increase 540 by 45%.

3 marks
Answer guide

540 · 1.45 = 783.0.

4. Divide 96 in the ratio 5:3.

4 marks
Answer guide

96 : 8 = 12; 60 and 36.

5. Compare 8/13 and 5/40 using a common denominator or decimals.

4 marks
Answer guide

8 · 40 = 320, 5 · 13 = 65; 8/13 > 5/40.

6. Write 800000 in standard form.

4 marks
Answer guide

800000 = 0.8 × 10^6.

7. Estimate 686 ÷ 39.6, then calculate to one decimal place.

5 marks
Answer guide

Estimate ≈ 700 ÷ 40 = 17.5. Exact ≈ 17.3.

8. Test the claim 3² + 6² = 9² and explain.

5 marks
Answer guide

9 + 36 = 45, while 9² = 81; false.

9. Create and solve a two-step exam-style problem about “Mark-scheme patterns” using 6, 3, and 18.

5 marks
Answer guide

A valid response uses the data in two justified steps and includes an independent check; for example 6 × 3 = 18, then 18 + 9 = 27.

10. Write a revision rule for “Time management”, one example, and one counterexample.

5 marks
Answer guide

Full response: an accurate rule for “Time management”, a numerical example that satisfies it, and an explained counterexample.

Unit

Official sources and verification

Curriculum reference sources. Always confirm the teaching sequence with the school and tutor.

UK Department for Education - MathematicsOfficial national curriculum progression and attainment guidance.Cambridge InternationalOfficial programme, syllabus, and qualification information; confirm the current syllabus code.

Mathematics

Start from the board specification and work topic by topic before full papers.

Back to subject

What this chapter covers

The structure follows the official textbook layout and is used to organise study.

Core/Extended route
Paper 2/4 or route-specific papers
Command words
Mark-scheme patterns
Time management

Where to focus

The areas that usually create mistakes or need extra revision.

I can convert safely between number forms.
I can explain why the chosen operation is appropriate.
I check the result with estimation or an inverse operation.

Sources, daily material, and resources

Where to start: textbook, daily material, PDFs, videos, and worked examples.

Start from the official textbook or specification referenced on the subject page.
Use the notes and examples as support, not as a replacement for the official syllabus.
Check the current syllabus version before exam preparation.

Practice by subtopic

Targeted practice before full tests so coverage is clear.

Calculate 9 + 6 × 15 and justify the order of operations.
Find 5/15 of 45.
Increase 400 by 40%.
Divide 72 in the ratio 4:2.
Compare 7/11 and 4/28 using a common denominator or decimals.
Write 1800000 in standard form.
Estimate 588 ÷ 29.700000000000003, then calculate to one decimal place.
Test the claim 9² + 5² = 14² and explain.

Mocks and progress checks

How to measure progress in this chapter and when it enters a cumulative mock.

Start with untimed practice by subtopic.
Move to a short timed checkpoint only after completing the mastery checklist.
Record each error with the correct method and revisit it after 48 hours.

Next step

What to do after finishing the chapter and how it connects to the next unit.

Complete the practice without support.
Explain the core method aloud in under two minutes.
Continue to the next chapter or request targeted tutor support.

Note: for the official examinable syllabus of each school year, always confirm with the school, tutor, and current Ministry/IEP announcements.

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