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Pearson maths past papers and more: iGCSE HIGHER

Below you will find all the available past papers, mark schemes and grade boundaries for the PEARSON iGCSE higher examination. Also included on this page are the course's specification and other useful information, including the dates of the next examination.

Pearson

Worldwide regions 1 and 2


Why two regions:  Pearson has grouped the world into two regions based on time zones.


Region 1 foundation past papers are sat by students living in UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Region 2 papers were used students living in ASIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND and the PACIFIC.

For the May/June exams, Pearson create two versions of their maths iGCSE exam papers. This allows more candidates across the world to sit the exams earlier in the day rather than late into the evening. However, for the November exams, only one version of this International maths GCSE exam is available.   


NOTE: It is worthwhile practicing the past papers from both regions, as they test the same curriculum.

Both region 1 and Region 2 past papers are included on this page.


Examination dates for 2025


In a 12 month window, there are two opportunities for students to sit their GCSE maths examination. Currently, in May/June and then again in November. The majority of students will sit their GCSE at school in the May/June exam period. Those that fail their summer exam are able to resit their GCSE examination in November, a few months later.


Note:  Prior to 2023, in a 12 month window the two examinations periods were January and May/June.

SUMMER Paper 1 Paper 2
May/June 2025 Thursday 15th May Wednesday 4th June
AUTUMN Paper 1 Paper 2
November 2025

Please note, I do NOT tutor iGCSE students.

PAST PAPERS USED IN REGION 1: UK, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA

map europe, midde east, africa

Region 1 Pearson international iGCSE Maths Grade Boundaries (9 - 3): Higher tier


This examination comprises of two test papers.

Calculator Paper 1
Duration 2 hours and maximum of 100 marks.

Calculator Paper 2
Duration 2 hours and maximum of 100 marks.


The scores from each paper are combined to give the examination total score of 200 marks.

  
For example, a student with a total score of 100 achieved 100/200 = 50%.

Using the table below, in June 2018 this student would be awarded the examination grade 6.

Stick man sat at desk
Region 1: higher 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
June 2018 74.5% = 149 75.0% = 125 51.0% = 102 40.5% = 81 30.0% = 60 19.5% = 39 14% = 28
Jan 2019 77.5% = 155 63.5% = 127 50.0% = 100 39.5% = 79 29.0% = 58 10.0% = 38 14% = 28
June 2019 75.0% = 150 62.5% = 125 50.5% = 101 40.5% = 81 30.5% = 61 20.5% = 41 15.5% = 31
Jan 2020 79.5% = 159 65.5% = 131 52.0% = 104 41.5% = 83 31.0% = 62 20.5% = 41 15% = 30
Nov 2020 70.5% = 141 58.0% = 116 45.5% = 91 34.0% = 68 23.0% = 46 12.0% = 24 6.5% = 13
Jan 2021 70.5% = 141 58.0% = 116 45.5% = 91 34.0% = 68 23.0% = 46 12.0% = 24 6.5% = 13
June 2021 = COVID
Nov 2021 69.0% = 138 55.5% = 111 43.0% = 86 32.0% = 64 21.0% = 42 10.5% = 21 5.0% = 10
Jan 2022 68.0% = 136 55.5% = 111 43.0% = 86 32.0% = 64 21.0% = 42 10.5% = 21 5.0% = 10
June 2022 71.0% = 142 58.5% = 117 46.0% = 92 34.5% = 69 23.5% = 47 12.5% = 25 7.0% = 14
Jan 2023 71.0% = 142 58.5% = 117 46.0% = 92 34.5% = 69 23.5% = 47 12.5% = 25 7.0% = 14
June 2023 76.0% = 152 61.5% = 123 47.5% = 95 37.5% = 75 27.5% = 55 17.5% = 35 12.5% = 25
November 2023 76.0% = 152 61.5% = 123 47.5% = 95 38.0% =76 28.5% = 57 19.5% = 39 15.0% = 30
June 2024 81.5% = 163 67.5% = 135 53.5% = 107 42.0% = 84 30.5% = 61 19.0% = 38 12.5% = 25

NOTE: percentages are rounded to nearest 1 d.p.

Grade boundaries can change from year to year, as you will see in the table above. Although PEARSON work hard to produce exam papers that are of the same level of difficulty each year, small variations do occur. To compensate for this the exam board adjusts the grade boundaries.

Region 1 Pearson iGCSE HIGHER Past Papers and Mark Schemes


Practicing past papers should rank highly on any students list of revision tools. Importantly, do not forget about a completed paper once you have marked your answers. Seek help and support to understand and learn more about the topics you are getting wrong.


  • Access and download a past paper.
  • Mark your answers using the mark scheme. 
  • Use grade boundaries to obtain a grade to see how well you are progressing.


Unavailable papers: The most recent past papers are not availiable to the public as schools typically ue these papers for mock examinations. Hence, you will not find the November 2023 and June 2024 papers published on the internet.

Wise owl

The termination of January examinations. Be aware that January 2023 was the final January examination series available, as Pearson replaced it's January examinations with November examinations.

Stick man working on Laptop

REGION 2: AUSTRALIA, ASIA, NEW ZEALAND and PACIFIC

Students living in ASIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND and the PACIFIC sit region 2 examination papers. Even if you live in region 1, it is worth while practicing these past papers and vice versa.

map ASIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, PACIFIC

Region 2 Pearson iGCSE Higher Maths Grade Boundaries (9 - 3)


This examination is identical to that of the papers used in region 1. It comprises of two papers.


Calculator Paper 1, duration 2 hours = 100 marks.

Calculator Paper 2, duration 2 hours = 100 marks.


The scores from each paper are combined to give the examination total.
The exam maximum is a score of 200 marks.  
A student with a total score of 100 for example, has achieved 50%.

Region 2 Higher 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
June 2018 80.0% = 160 65.5% = 131 51.5% = 103 40.5% = 81 30.0% = 60 19.5% = 39 14.0% = 28
Jan 2019 76.5% = 153 62.5% = 125 48.5% = 97 38.5% = 77 28.5% = 57 19.0% = 38 14.0% = 28
June 2019 79.5% = 159 64.5% = 129 50.5% = 101 39.5% = 79 29.0% = 58 18.5% = 37 13.0% = 26
Jan 2020 79.0% = 158 65.0% = 130 51.5% = 103 41.0% = 82 30.5% = 61 20.5% = 41 15.5% = 31
Nov 2020 76.0% = 152 60.0% = 121 45.5% = 91 33.5% = 67 21.5% = 43 10.0% = 20 4.0% = 8
January 2021 76.0% = 152 60.5% = 121 45.5% = 91 33.5% = 67 21.5% = 43 10.0% = 20 4.0% = 8
January 2022 68.0% = 136 55.5% = 111 43.0% = 86 32.0% = 64 21.0% = 42 10.5% = 21 5.0% = 10
June 2022 71.5% = 143 56.5% = 113 42.0% = 84 31.5% = 63 21.0% = 42 10.5% = 21 5.0% = 10
January 2023 74.5% = 149 62.0% = 124 49.5% = 99 37.5% = 75 26.0% = 52 14.5% = 29 8.5% =17
June 2023 80.0% = 160 65.5% = 131 51.5% = 103 40.0% = 80 29.0% = 58 18.0% = 36 12.5% = 25
November 2023
June 2024 83.5% = 167 69.0% = 138 55.0% = 110 43.0% = 86 31.0% = 62 19.5% = 39 13.5% = 27

NOTE: percentages are rounded to nearest 1 d.p.

Grade boundaries can change from year to year, as you will see in the table above. Although PEARSON work hard to produce exam papers that are of the same level of difficulty each year, small variations do occur. To compensate for this the exam board adjusts the grade boundaries.

Region 2 Higher Maths iGCSE Past Papers

The termination of January examinations. Be aware that January 2023 was the final January examination series available, as Pearson replaced it's January examinations with November examinations.

Moe about Pearson's series 4MA1 (syllabus A) - higher 

Pearson (formally Edexcel) International iGCSEs are globally recognised qualifications with academic content designed specifically for international learners.  This qualification is comparable to the UK reformed GCSEs in terms of the level of demand and as   sessment standards.  The time zone that a candidate lives in determines which version of the examination they will sit.


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