IGCSE Maths non-calculator papers (Papers 1 and 2)

Paper 1 (Core) and Paper 2 (Extended) are taken without a calculator. Every topic can come up except using a calculator, so written methods for arithmetic, fractions and surds carry the marks.

Paper 1	Core, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
Paper 2	Extended, 2 hours, 100 marks
Calculator	Not allowed
Working	Method marks reward clear steps

Methods to have ready by hand

Long multiplication and division, and the four operations with fractions, mixed numbers and negative numbers.
Estimating by rounding to 1 significant figure, and working with powers, roots and standard form.
Extended: simplifying surds and rationalising denominators, and exact trigonometric values.

Show the working

Each step you write can earn a method mark even if the final answer slips. Write one step a line, and keep exact values (fractions, surds, multiples of π) until the question asks for a decimal.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Core · no calculator

Work out

2\frac{1}{3} \times 1\frac{4}{5}

Question 2Extended · no calculator

Simplify

\sqrt{75} - \sqrt{12}

Next step

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Questions people ask

Which topics are on the non-calculator paper?

All of them, except the sub-topic on using a calculator. Questions are set so the arithmetic can be done by hand.

Are answers given in terms of π?

Often, on the non-calculator papers: leave π in the answer when the question asks for it in terms of π.