Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Mathematics (Specification A)

Specification 4MA1 · Pearson Edexcel · International GCSE · first assessment June 2018 · graded 9–1

Two two-hour papers, each worth 100 marks and half the qualification, sat at either Foundation or Higher Tier. A calculator is allowed in both papers and a formulae sheet is provided. Content is organised into six areas that carry the same headings at both tiers, with Higher adding depth and assuming everything at Foundation.

Papers and components

• Paper 1F: Foundation Tier Paper 1 (4MA1/1F) — 50% of the qualification, 100 marks, 120 minutes. Whole paper Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics — AO1, AO2, AO3
• Paper 2F: Foundation Tier Paper 2 (4MA1/2F) — 50% of the qualification, 100 marks, 120 minutes. Whole paper Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics — AO1, AO2, AO3
• Paper 1H: Higher Tier Paper 1 (4MA1/1H) — 50% of the qualification, 100 marks, 120 minutes. Whole paper Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics — AO1, AO2, AO3
• Paper 2H: Higher Tier Paper 2 (4MA1/2H) — 50% of the qualification, 100 marks, 120 minutes. Whole paper Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics — AO1, AO2, AO3

Assessment objectives

• AO1 (57–63%) — Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in number and algebra: numbers and the numbering system; calculations; solving numerical problems; equations, formulae and identities; sequences, functions and graphs.
• AO2 (22–28%) — Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in shape, space and measures: geometry and trigonometry; vectors and transformation geometry.
• AO3 (12–18%) — Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in handling data: statistics and probability.

What to know about this specification

• Two papers, each 2 hours and 100 marks, each worth 50%.
• Tiered: Foundation targets grades 5–1, Higher targets 9–4. Your tier caps your possible grade — find out which you are entered for.
• A calculator is allowed in both papers, at both tiers.
• A formulae sheet is provided, and it differs by tier. Learn what is NOT on it.
• Problem solving is about 25% of Foundation and 30% of Higher; mathematical reasoning about 15% and 20%.
• Graded 9–1, so condensed revision notes on this course are called Grade 9 Notes — though Grade 9 is only reachable on Higher Tier.
• This is Specification A. Specification B (4MB1) is a different qualification with a different structure.

Options on this specification

• Foundation Tier — Papers 1F and 2F — targets grades 5–1 (built in Incandio)
• Higher Tier — Papers 1H and 2H — targets grades 9–4, and assumes all Foundation content (built in Incandio)

Topics (13)

• Exam technique for both mathematics papers — Paper 1F; AO1, AO2, AO3
• Integers, place value and decimals — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Percentages, ratio and proportion — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Standard form, bounds and surds — Paper 1H | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Expressions, linear equations and formulae — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Quadratic equations and simultaneous equations — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Sequences, straight-line graphs and function notation — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO1
• Angles, triangles, polygons and circle facts — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO2
• Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO2
• Perimeter, area, volume and circles — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO2
• Vectors and transformations — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO2
• Collecting, representing and analysing data — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO3
• Probability — Paper 1F | Whole paper: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics; AO3

Condensed revision notes on this course are called Grade 9 Notes, because it is graded 9–1.

Built from the official specification (Issue 2 — November 2017, read 2026-08-02).