Edexcel GCSE Maths (1MA1): papers, calculator rules and grade boundaries

Edexcel GCSE Maths papers at a glance

The specification is the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics (issue 2, June 2015). You take all three papers at the same tier, in the same series. Each paper is a written examination with a range of question types, and the content overview for every paper is the same six areas: number, algebra, ratio, proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, probability, and statistics. Pearson offers two series a year, May/June and November, with restrictions on who can enter in November. Edexcel gives you a formulae sheet with the paper: see theEdexcel GCSE Maths formula sheet guide.

Edexcel GCSE Maths topic weightings

Pearson publishes how much of each tier comes from each topic area. These ranges come from the specification:

On Higher tier, algebra is the biggest slice, so most of your revision time should go on rearranging, solving, graphs and proof. On Foundation, number and ratio together are about half the marks.

The specification also weights the three assessment objectives: using and applying standard techniques, reasoning and interpreting, and solving problems in mathematical and non-mathematical contexts. In practice the later questions on each paper test reasoning and problem solving, so expect wordy questions where you decide the method yourself.

Worked examples in Edexcel style

Algebra: brackets and equations

Solve 4(x − 3) = 2x + 10. Expand the bracket first:

Percentages: a reverse percentage

After a 20% reduction a coat costs £84. Find the original price. The sale price is 80% of the original, so divide by 0.8, not add 20%:

The original price was £105. Check: 20% of 105 is 21, and 105 − 21 = 84.

Quadratics (Higher): the formula

Solve 2x² + 3x − 7 = 0 to 2 decimal places. Here a = 2, b = 3 and c = −7:

That gives x = 1.27 or x = −2.77. Show the substitution step, because a wrong answer with the correct substitution still earns method marks. Practise simultaneous equations in our Algebra course, then press Mark to check your answer in the course:

Edexcel GCSE Maths grade boundaries

These are Pearson's raw boundaries for the whole qualification, out of 240, from its GCSE (9-1) grade boundaries document for June 2026: the minimum mark at which a grade can be achieved. A mark one below a boundary gets the grade below.

To get a grade 4 on Higher you needed 50 of 240, just over a fifth. A grade 9 needed 208, which is 87%. The Foundation grade 5 was 181 of 240, three quarters of the marks. These are far from 50% pass marks, so a hard paper does not mean a low grade. AQA's equivalent table, with June 2025 beside June 2026, is in theAQA GCSE Maths guide.

How Edexcel GCSE Maths differs from AQA

Both boards set three 1 hour 30 minute, 80-mark papers with one non-calculator paper, so the structure is almost identical. Pearson sets its own papers, so for the style of the problem-solving questions use Edexcel's own past papers and read what the mark scheme rewards. AQA's guide is here:AQA GCSE Maths (8300).

Use the daily paper as a short timed mock

Uni-Sine publishes a free daily paper on theGCSE Maths HigherandGCSE Maths Foundationtracks. Each is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full Edexcel paper, and it is not written by Pearson. It covers fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion, algebra, graphs, probability, indices and surds, Pythagoras and trigonometry, circle theorems and vectors. Treat it as a quick mock: no calculator on odd days, calculator on even days, so you practise both.

Common mistakes in Edexcel GCSE Maths

• Adding 20% instead of dividing by 0.8. Reverse percentages work backwards from the new amount.
• Dropping the negative sign in the quadratic formula, especially −b and 4ac when c is negative.
• Leaving a question blank. A method line can earn marks even with no final answer.
• Not reading "give your answer to 2 decimal places". The final answer must follow the instruction.
• Calculator in the wrong mode for trigonometry.

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. We do not publish official or past paper answers. Every question on the daily paper is our own.

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UK · GCSEEdexcel GCSE Maths grade boundaries 2026: every gradeEdexcel GCSE Maths June 2026 boundaries: Higher grade 4 was 50, grade 7 146, grade 9 208 out of 240, with 2024 and 2025 beside them.