Edexcel Maths Past Papers: GCSE, International GCSE & A Level

An original maths worksheet, pencil and matching-paper note beside the heading “Choose the right Edexcel maths paper”. Check the qualification, code, and tier or unit.

Edexcel mathematics • past-paper guide

Choose your qualification before choosing a year. GCSE, International GCSE and International A Level papers can all say “Edexcel Mathematics”, but their codes, content and assessment routes differ. This guide helps you find the right papers, pair them with the correct mark scheme and turn each attempt into useful revision.

Start with the code on your course or exam entry. Ask your teacher or exams officer if you are unsure. A folder name or a familiar-looking question cannot confirm that a paper matches your course.

Which Edexcel maths course are you taking?

Use this as a route map, then check the current specification and the exact paper cover. “Foundation/Higher”, “AS/A Level” and “unit” describe different choices and should not be used interchangeably.

GCSE • 1MA1

UK GCSE Mathematics

Choose Foundation or Higher, then the three papers for that tier. Each lasts 90 minutes and carries 80 marks. Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow calculators.

Browse Edexcel GCSE maths papers

INTERNATIONAL GCSE • 4MA1

Mathematics A: linear

Take Papers 1 and 2 at Foundation or Higher. Both papers allow calculators, last two hours and carry 100 marks each. Match any regional R suffix as well as the tier and paper number.

Browse International GCSE Maths A papers

INTERNATIONAL GCSE • MODULAR

Mathematics A: modular

Choose the right tier and unit. Foundation unit codes are 4WM1F/01 and 4WM2F/01; Higher codes are 4WM1H/01 and 4WM2H/01. Qualification cash-in codes are 4XMAF and 4XMAH.

Pearson’s website also uses the route label 4XMA1. This is not an individual paper code. Modular units divide the content differently from linear Papers 1 and 2.

Browse modular Maths A papers and guidance

INTERNATIONAL GCSE • 4MB1

Mathematics B

This is a separate, single-tier qualification. Paper 1 lasts 90 minutes and contributes one-third; Paper 2 lasts 150 minutes and contributes two-thirds. Both allow calculators and have 100 raw marks, so equal raw totals do not imply equal weighting.

Browse International GCSE Maths B papers

INTERNATIONAL GCSE • 4PM1

Further Pure Mathematics

A separate International GCSE with two equally weighted papers, each two hours and 100 marks. It is different from the International A Level Further Pure units called FP1, FP2 and FP3.

Use the Further Pure archive in the original folders below, and check every paper’s code. Older years may belong to a previous specification.

UK AS / A LEVEL • 8MA0 / 9MA0

AS and A-level Mathematics

For full A level 9MA0, Papers 1 and 2 are Pure Mathematics; Paper 3 combines Statistics and Mechanics. Each is two hours and 100 marks. The separate AS qualification 8MA0 has its own two-paper structure.

Browse UK A-level Pure Mathematics papers. Use the official course hub in Sources & References for the full qualification.

INTERNATIONAL AS / A LEVEL • XMA01 / YMA01

International Mathematics units

International AS Mathematics (XMA01) uses P1, P2 and one permitted applied unit. Full IAL Mathematics (YMA01) uses P1–P4 plus a permitted pair of applied units. Your course determines that combination.

Find Pure units by code: P1 = WMA11/01, P2 = WMA12/01, P3 = WMA13/01, P4 = WMA14/01. These are separate from UK 9MA0 papers.

Browse P1, P2, P3 or P4.

These are mathematics routes. If you need a different subject, use the Edexcel International GCSE subject directory. Current specifications and official course-materials links are collected at the end of this guide.

Paper-selection checklist: confirm your qualification; match the code and tier or unit; choose the paper and exam session; use the mark scheme for that same code, paper and session. — Keep the qualification, paper and session consistent across the question paper and mark scheme.

The paper-and-mark-scheme matching checklist

Qualification and specification: copy the full code from the paper cover. A GCSE code beginning 1MA1 belongs to a different qualification from International GCSE 4MA1.
Tier or unit: match Foundation/Higher where the course is tiered, or the exact unit for modular qualifications. Do not select a paper solely because its number looks familiar.
Paper and session: match the paper or unit number, month/series, year and any regional suffix shown. A mark scheme from another sitting may refer to completely different questions.
Conditions: read the cover for time allowed, calculator rules, permitted formulae and instructions. Use the arrangements relevant to the exam you are preparing for.
Completeness: check the total pages, required diagrams, insert/data booklet and matching mark scheme. A folder listing is not a guarantee that every component is present.

Example: a question paper labelled 1MA1/1H needs the matching Paper 1 Higher scheme from the same session. A 4MA1/1H scheme is a different qualification despite the shared “1H” ending.

Older papers can still provide useful topic practice. First identify any specification changes and missing topics; use a current-specification paper for realistic timed practice. The archive year is not the specification code.

How to get more from each past paper

Start with one paper that genuinely matches your course. Use a short cycle you can repeat, rather than collecting more papers than you have time to review.

Attempt. Work without the mark scheme. For a full timed attempt, follow the paper’s own instructions and record where time runs out.
Mark. Use the matching official scheme. Read the method and accuracy requirements: a correct final number and fully supported reasoning are different pieces of evidence. Follow any instructions about alternative methods and follow-through.
Diagnose. Label the reason for each error: concept, algebra, arithmetic, notation/units, misread question or time. “Careless mistake” is too vague to plan a repair.
Repair. Relearn the specific step. For example, practise distributing a multiplier if 3(x − 2) became 3x − 2. Use our GCSE algebra practice for targeted follow-up.
Retest. Try a fresh question using the same idea, then return to the original without looking at the solution. Keep a brief error log so the next paper tests whether the repair lasted.

Attempt, mark, diagnose, repair, then retest. Example: 3(x − 2) = 12 expands to 3x − 6 = 12, giving 3x = 18 and x = 6. Check: 3(6 − 2) = 12. Retest with 4(x − 1) = 12, whose answer is x = 4. — Work out why a step failed, repair it, then test the same idea on a fresh question.

A practice score is a diagnostic, not a predicted grade. Grade boundaries depend on the qualification and series. A short mixed exercise, a single unit and a full qualification total are not interchangeable. Use the relevant official grading information when interpreting an actual exam result.

Four worked examples: check the method, not just the answer

Original HeLovesMath practice, not Pearson exam questions or a complete mock paper. Use the examples relevant to your course; the labels are study guidance, not a guarantee that a topic appears on a particular paper.

1. GCSE/International GCSE: reverse percentages

Question: A bag costs £68 after a 15% reduction. Find its original price.

Working: The sale price is 85% of the original. If the original price is p, then 0.85p = 68. Therefore p = 68 ÷ 0.85 = 80.

Answer: £80.

Check: 15% of £80 is £12; £80 − £12 = £68.

Common mistake: Adding 15% to £68 uses the reduced price as the base.

2. Higher GCSE/International GCSE: factorising a quadratic

Question: Solve 3x² − 11x − 4 = 0.

Working: Split the middle term: 3x² − 12x + x − 4 = 0. Factor by grouping: 3x(x − 4) + (x − 4) = 0, so (3x + 1)(x − 4) = 0.

Answer: x = −1/3 or x = 4.

Check: Expanding the factors gives 3x² − 11x − 4.

Common mistake: Reporting only one of the two solutions.

3. Further Pure/AS calculus: finding a tangent

Question: Find the tangent to y = x³ − 4x + 2 at x = 2.

Working: First find the point: y = 8 − 8 + 2 = 2. Differentiate: dy/dx = 3x² − 4. At x = 2 the gradient is 8. The tangent is y − 2 = 8(x − 2).

Answer: y = 8x − 14.

Check: The line passes through (2, 2), and its gradient equals the derivative there.

Common mistake: Using the derivative as the y-coordinate instead of as the gradient.

4. A-level/IAL mechanics: constant acceleration

Question: A particle starts from rest and moves in a straight line with constant acceleration 2.5 m/s². Find its speed after travelling 20 m.

Working: Use v² = u² + 2as, with u = 0, a = 2.5 and s = 20. Then v² = 0 + 2 × 2.5 × 20 = 100.

Answer: Speed = 10 m/s.

Check: Take the non-negative square root because the question asks for speed.

Common mistake: Forgetting that this model requires constant acceleration.

Six questions to diagnose your next revision step

Write your method before opening the answer. Questions 1–4 practise GCSE/International GCSE skills. Questions 5–6 extend into calculus and mechanics where those topics are part of your course.

Question 1

A quantity of 72 increases by 12.5%. Find the new quantity.

Show answer 1

81. Multiply 72 by 1.125.

Question 2

Solve 5(2x − 3) = 3x + 20.

Show answer 2

x = 5. Expanding gives 10x − 15 = 3x + 20, so 7x = 35.

Question 3

Factorise 2x² + x − 15, then solve 2x² + x − 15 = 0.

Show answer 3

(2x − 5)(x + 3); x = 5/2 or x = −3.

Question 4

In a right-angled triangle, the side opposite angle θ is 7 cm and the adjacent side is 11 cm. Find θ to one decimal place.

Show answer 4

θ = arctan(7/11) ≈ 32.5°. Use degree mode.

Question 5

Evaluate the definite integral of (3x² + 1) from x = 0 to x = 2.

Show answer 5

10. The antiderivative is x³ + x; evaluate 10 − 0.

Question 6

A particle has initial velocity 4 m/s and constant acceleration 1.5 m/s² in the same direction. Find its displacement after 8 seconds.

Show answer 6

80 m. s = ut + ½at² = 4 × 8 + ½ × 1.5 × 8² = 32 + 48.

Common questions about Edexcel past papers

Are Mathematics A and Mathematics B different tiers?

No. International GCSE Mathematics A and Mathematics B are separate specifications. Maths A has Foundation and Higher tiers. Maths B is a separate single-tier course. Check the course code you have been entered for.

Is International GCSE Paper 1 non-calculator?

Do not apply the UK GCSE 1MA1 rule to a different qualification. International GCSE Maths A 4MA1 allows calculators on both papers; UK GCSE 1MA1 Paper 1 does not. Read the actual cover instructions.

Can I use a linear Maths A paper for modular revision?

Yes, for relevant topic practice after checking the modular specification’s content split. A linear paper is not a substitute for the exact modular unit paper in a timed assessment rehearsal.

What does an R suffix mean?

It identifies a regional paper version where Pearson uses one. It is not a resit label. Pair that question paper with the matching regional mark scheme and use the version relevant to your centre.

Why can’t I open a recent paper?

Some recent Pearson papers are restricted to registered centres. Use publicly released papers and sample assessment materials, or ask your teacher what your centre may provide. An inaccessible archive item does not mean a paid or unofficial copy is necessary.

Are the original Google Drive folders complete and up to date?

Their top-level public listings were accessible when this guide was checked. The folders include older specification years, and individual files have not all been checked. Confirm the paper code, session, pages and matching scheme before using a file. Official Pearson sources should settle any conflict.

Sources & References

Checked 5 October 2026. Pearson sets the qualification requirements and publishes official materials. Follow its current specification, paper instructions and notices if an older archive differs. External links below open in a new tab.

Official Pearson qualifications and exam support

Original archive folders retained from this page

These four existing Google Drive archives remain available below. They are third-party collections, not the official Pearson past-paper finder. Their top-level listings were accessible on the review date; individual documents have not all been audited. They contain legacy years, so check every file’s specification, session and scheme. Public access does not establish permission to redistribute the contents.

HeLovesMath is an independent educational website. Pearson and Edexcel names identify the relevant qualifications; this guide does not imply endorsement. Original practice on this page may be used for study. Follow the source’s terms for third-party papers.