Pearson Edexcel · International GCSE4MA1 International GCSE Mathematics A
2 components12 topics12 with lessons
Source: Pearson Edexcel 4MA1 specification · Confirm the syllabus year with your school.
Exam infoExam structure, syllabus and formula booklet1 official documents
First teaching 2016
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|
| Paper 1 (F or H) | 2 h | 100 | 50% |
| Paper 2 (F or H) | 2 h | 100 | 50% |
- Foundation tier gives grades 5–1. Higher tier gives grades 9–4, with a 3 allowed.
- A calculator is allowed in both papers. Exams are in January and June.
Summarised from the official specification, checked 16 Oct 2026. The board's document is the final word.
PDF
International GCSE Mathematics A 4MA1 — specification
Two 2-hour, 100-mark papers at either Foundation (grades 5–1) or Higher (grades 9–4, with a 3 allowed). A calculator is allowed in both papers. Exams are in January and June. The formulae sheets for each tier are in the appendices.
All Edexcel documents: exam rules, key dates and grade thresholds →
Papers 1H, 2HHigher tier6 topics
- Numbers and the number system
Types of number, factors and multiples · Fractions and decimals · Indices and standard form · Surds · Percentages, interest, growth and decay · Ratio, proportion and rates · Estimation and limits of accuracy · Sets and Venn diagrams8 lessons - Equations, formulae and identities
Higher tier: completing the square
Expanding and factorising · Algebraic fractions and formulae · Linear and simultaneous equations · Quadratic equations · Inequalities and regions · Direct and inverse proportion6 lessons - Sequences, functions and graphs
Sequences · Functions · Gradients and straight lines · Parallel and perpendicular lines · Travel graphs and curves · Gradients of curves and graphical solutions6 lessons - Geometry and trigonometry
Angles and polygons · Circle theorems · Similarity and congruence · Bearings, scale drawings and symmetry · Constructions and loci · Perimeter, area and units · Circles, arcs and sectors · Prisms and cylinders · Pyramids, cones and spheres · Pythagoras' theorem · Right-angled trigonometry · Sine rule, cosine rule and area · Trigonometry in three dimensions13 lessons - Vectors and transformation geometry
Reflections, rotations and translations · Enlargements and combined transformations · Column vectors and magnitude · Vector geometry4 lessons - Statistics and probability
Collecting data and stem-and-leaf diagrams · Averages and range · Charts, tables and scatter diagrams · Cumulative frequency · Histograms · Single events and relative frequency · Combined events and tree diagrams · Without replacement and Venn diagrams8 lessons
Papers 1F, 2FFoundation tier6 topics
- Numbers and the number system
Types of number, factors and multiples · Fractions and decimals · Indices and standard form · Percentages, interest, growth and decay · Ratio, proportion and rates · Estimation and limits of accuracy · Sets and Venn diagrams7 lessons - Equations, formulae and identities
Expanding and factorising · Algebraic fractions and formulae · Linear and simultaneous equations · Quadratic equations · Inequalities and regions · Direct and inverse proportion6 lessons - Sequences, functions and graphs
Sequences · Gradients and straight lines · Parallel and perpendicular lines · Travel graphs and curves4 lessons - Geometry and trigonometry
Angles and polygons · Circle theorems · Similarity and congruence · Bearings, scale drawings and symmetry · Constructions and loci · Perimeter, area and units · Circles, arcs and sectors · Prisms and cylinders · Pyramids, cones and spheres · Pythagoras' theorem · Right-angled trigonometry11 lessons - Vectors and transformation geometry
Reflections, rotations and translations · Enlargements and combined transformations · Column vectors and magnitude3 lessons - Statistics and probability
Collecting data and stem-and-leaf diagrams · Averages and range · Charts, tables and scatter diagrams · Cumulative frequency · Single events and relative frequency · Combined events and tree diagrams · Without replacement and Venn diagrams7 lessons