IGCSE Maths – The Top Resources Available
Once you start your IGCSE prep, there is a kind of mad rush that ensues in your life. In the search for online resources and support, you visit physical bookstores or surf online for hours, looking for the best prep material that is available in the market and which can help boost your performance. In this article, we have listed some of the best resources available in terms of textbooks, and endorsed resources by the various exam boards for IGCSE Maths courses.
Mathematics Textbooks
If you need a book that completely covers the Cambridge IGCSE Maths syllabus, this is the book for you. This textbook consists of a coursebook and two practice books to help students succeed in IGCSE mathematics.
Edexcel
The Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics Student Book 1 provides students with extra practice sheets as they prepare for their exam. With a majority of positive reviews from previous students, this textbook is recommended primarily for its practice worksheets.
For more practice, author D.A. Turner has also published an Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics Student Book 2. (Details given below).
Resources Endorsed By Cambridge
While publishers world-wide play an important role in supporting the various international exam boards like Cambridge and Edxcel, the exam boards themselves have an open-door policy allowing a variety of publishers to create materials for their syllabuses. The exam boards follow an endorsement process is entirely independent and unbiased.
Let us have a look at the endorsed processes of Cambridge University International Assessment. Cambridge endorsed resources have been through a rigorous quality-assurance process to make sure that they closely reflect the syllabus and are appropriate for Cambridge International Schools worldwide. Resources may be ‘endorsed for full syllabus coverage’ or endorsed to cover specific sections, topics or approaches as indicated by the specific ‘endorsed for…’ logo on the cover. These are high-quality resources, produced by a range of third-party publishers, which are judged by subject experts to provide effective support for learners and teachers in the delivery of their syllabuses.
Characteristics of Cambridge endorsed resources: Resources eligible for endorsement include textbooks, learner workbooks, teacher guides, revision guides and e-textbooks or online resources. In order to be endorsed by Cambridge International, resources are subject to review by external consultants and educational experts. Resources are judged on:
- Content: Whether the material aligns with the level of demand of the syllabus and covers both breadth and depth in a manner that is suitable for learners
- Pedagogy: Whether the content is presented in such a way as to promote effective teaching and learning
- Focus: Whether the focus of the resource is on subject knowledge and skills, rather than on exam preparation. In the case of revision guides, there are no specific ‘exam tips’ and there is no mention of grades which might be gained.
- International Context: Whether the resources are accessible to learners from all parts of the world and promote a culture of learning within the subject area.
Resources Endorsed By Edxcel
To support effective classroom delivery, EDXCEL have developed a range of published resources for the new Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1), with progression, relevance and support at their core. This textbook come with an e-book as well for online studying support.
Other Pearson Edxcel Textbooks
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Mathematics A specification and support materials have been developed with the help of teachers, higher education representatives and subject expert groups.
The qualification supports progression to further study, with up-to-date content reflecting the latest thinking in the subject. It is comparable to the UK reformed GCSEs in terms of the level of demand and assessment standards.
PEARSON EDXCEL also offers unique online tools for Maths support to teachers. This is a unique teaching and learning support. Their online offering includes:
- A Scheme of Work - with added flexibility to meet teachers’ planning needs
- Classroom tests & Practice papers - helping teachers to better prepare their students
- Exemplar material - with real student responses and examiner comments
- Mapping documents - supporting the transition from our legacy International GCSE and comparison with the UK GCSE specification.
- Pearson Maths Emporium - a free website, with access to all our maths qualifications documents and information from our Subject Advisor.
For more information on EDEXCEL textbooks and online resources click on the link below:
Youtube Resources
The YouTube is flush with IGCSE prep videos being conducted by past students, current students, experienced tutors and amateurs offering simple hacks! You have to use your judgement in assessing their value to your revision schedule and prep for IGCSE Maths. If you are looking for help in solving hard questions from the past papers, you may find some useful videos on this on YouTube.
But all this support is really stop gap help. Mathematics is a really tricky subject. If you do not naturally get it, then you need a more precise preparation strategy for the IGCSE Maths exam, than watching random videos. Practice, practice and more practice are key in getting yourself ready for the examination. You need to have clear plan on what Maths topics to revise on what day and most importantly when you are going to test yourself. Testing will tell you where you actually stand in your preparation.
Online Maths Tutoring
There is no shame in needing extra support for IGCSE Maths preps. Just reading through your IGCSE Maths Notes may not suffice. Equally, when you solve past papers, many question may stump you totally. Qualified online Maths tutors will generally tailor local IGCSE tuition to your specific requirements and needs. They usually follow a specific approach or focus on a target area of the IGCSE Maths curriculum. This is because different pupils have different needs. A student may require private coaching for IGCSE Maths specifically to run through past exam papers and focus on IGCSE Maths exam preparation. Another student may be lacking in confidence and require face to face tutoring to build self-confidence and develop effective study and revision skills. Other students may require support to complete IGCSE coursework. Every student is an individual, which is why lessons are tailored to their unique requirements. Online Maths tutors often work with parents as well along with the student to determine the priorities for lessons. If requested tutors also liaise with school or college teachers.
You can sign up for a free Maths demo class on www.wizert.com