Reading the Cambridge Mark Scheme
The Cambridge IGCSE 0580 mark scheme is published alongside past papers on the Cambridge website. It is one of the most valuable documents available to a student preparing for the exam — but it uses specific notation that must be understood before it can be used.
Mark Scheme Notation
M1 — Method mark. Awarded for using the correct method. Only awarded if some relevant working is shown.
A1 — Accuracy mark. Awarded for the correct answer following the correct method. Usually dependent on the preceding M mark.
B1 — Independent mark. Awarded for a correct statement, value, or answer regardless of the method used.
cao — Correct answer only. If this appears on an A mark, the mark is only awarded for the exact answer — no follow-through allowed.
ft — Follow through. Means the mark can be awarded even if the student uses a wrong value from an earlier part, as long as their subsequent working is correct.
oe — Or equivalent. The student can write an equivalent expression, fraction, or form and still earn the mark.
How to Use the Mark Scheme for Self-Study
After completing a past paper, mark each question against the mark scheme as follows:
- Did your method match the M mark criteria? Award/deny the M mark
- Is your answer correct? Award/deny the A mark
- For multi-part questions: did you carry through an earlier answer (even if wrong) correctly? Apply the ft rule
The goal is not to maximise marks by retroactively interpreting your work generously. The goal is to understand exactly what the mark scheme requires — so your child writes their future answers in the format that earns those marks.
Common Mark Scheme Misreadings
“Allow -2 or 2” — Cambridge sometimes allows both positive and negative solutions. If only one is given, the mark may still be awarded depending on context.
“SC B1” — A special case mark, awarded for a specific alternative correct method not covered in the standard mark scheme.
Answer given in “simplified form” — if the mark scheme states a specific simplified form (e.g. 2x + 3) and a student writes (4x + 6)/2, this is mathematically equivalent but may not earn the mark unless “oe” is stated.
How Teacher Rig Uses the Mark Scheme
In every Teacher Rig session involving past paper questions, the mark scheme is reviewed together. The student sees exactly which specific line of working earned which specific mark. This is the fastest way to learn the presentation standards Cambridge rewards.
Book a free trial — mark scheme analysis is core to every Teacher Rig session.
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