The mark scheme is the single most underused revision tool in IGCSE Maths. Most students glance at the final answer, see it’s right or wrong, and move on — missing the entire point. The marks are in the letters beside each line, and learning to read them is worth a grade on its own.
The Three Letters That Matter
Cambridge mark schemes use a few codes you need to recognise:
- M (Method marks) are awarded for a correct method, even if the final answer is wrong. This is why “showing working” matters — you can score M marks on a question you don’t finish.
- A (Accuracy marks) depend on a preceding M mark and reward the correct result of that method.
- B (Independent marks) are awarded for a correct answer or statement on its own, without needing method shown.
Why This Changes How You Revise
Once you can read marks, two habits follow naturally. First, you always show full working — because M marks are free marks you’re otherwise throwing away. Second, when you mark your own past papers, you stop asking “right or wrong?” and start asking “which marks did I actually earn, and which did I drop and why?”
Watch for “ft” and “oe”
Two more codes save confusion: ft (follow-through) means you can still earn marks using a wrong earlier answer correctly, and oe (or equivalent) means an answer in a different but valid form is accepted.
Put It Into Practice
Mark three of your own past papers strictly to the scheme. The pattern of dropped marks tells you exactly what to fix.
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