Edexcel IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation mock exam: the papers and a 2-week plan
Your 4MA1 Foundation mock is most likely Paper 1F (2 h, calculator) and Paper 2F (2 h, calculator). Below: the paper format, free papers to practise, a 2-week revision plan and the mistakes that cost 4MA1 Foundation students marks.
By Pete Bromfield, former Head of Maths with examining experience (independent)
The 4MA1 Foundation papers
Most school mocks for 4MA1 Foundation are two full papers, 1F and 2F, in the format of the real exam. Each paper has roughly equal marks for each grade from 5 down to 1, so steady marks on the earlier questions matter as much as the harder ones. Ask your teacher which papers and topics your school's mock uses. The real 4MA1 Foundation exam is:
| Paper | Time | Marks | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1F | 2 hours | 100 | Allowed |
| Paper 2F | 2 hours | 100 | Allowed |
Edexcel International GCSE Maths A (4MA1), Foundation tier: 200 marks in all, grades 5 to 1. More: 4MA1 Foundation past papers · the 4MA1 formula sheet.
Free papers to sit before your 4MA1 Foundation mock
Sit something timed first and mark it honestly: the questions you drop marks on are the topics to start with.
Start here, free
Foundation questions by topic area
Exam-style Foundation questions with mark schemes and worked solutions, one page per topic area, no sign-up. Do one area timed before you start the plan.
The real thing
Pearson Edexcel's own past papers
Our past-paper page links each paper and mark scheme on the board's website and has an exam timer.
2-week 4MA1 Foundation mock revision plan
Ten days through the Foundation topic areas, then four days on papers. Each day links to free exam-style questions with worked answers.
- Day 1
Percentages: reverse percentages and compound interest
- Day 2
Fractions, ratio, standard form and accuracy
- Day 3
Probability and Venn diagrams
IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation Statistics and Probability Questions
- Day 4
Charts and averages
IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation Statistics and Probability Questions
- Day 5
Expanding, factorising and linear equations
- Day 6
Simultaneous linear equations and inequalities
- Day 7
Sequences and straight-line graphs
- Day 8
Angles, polygons and circle properties
IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation Geometry and Trigonometry Questions
- Day 9
Pythagoras, trigonometry, area and volume
IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation Geometry and Trigonometry Questions
- Day 10
Transformations
- Day 11
Paper 1F, timed
Sit a recent Paper 1F from the past papers in one go: 2 hours, with your calculator.
- Day 12
Mark it and fix the gaps
Mark it with the mark scheme, put every lost mark in My mistakes, then redo the questions on your two weakest topics from the days above.
- Day 13
Paper 2F, timed
Sit the Paper 2F from the same series: 2 hours, with your calculator.
- Day 14
Formulas and a light review
Go over the 4MA1 formula sheet, check your calculator is in degrees, and rest the evening before.
Only 12 days, one topic a day? Use the 12-day mock plan. More topics: 4MA1 questions by topic.
The mistakes that cost 4MA1 Foundation students marks
From our summary of Pearson Edexcel’s examiner reports for the Higher papers, on topics that are on the Foundation papers too. Check your mock against each one.
Reverse percentages: finding a percentage of the new amount
Fix: Write "original × multiplier = new", then divide. Check by multiplying back.
Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest
Fix: Use amount × multiplierⁿ. For depreciation the multiplier is below 1 (e.g. 0.85).
Probability tables: dividing the remainder by the wrong number
Fix: Count the outcomes that share the remaining probability. For "given" questions, restrict the sample space first.
Time conversions: 3 hours 36 minutes is not 3.36 hours
Fix: Divide minutes by 60. Check the units of the answer (km/h, m/s).
The full list with worked examples: IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Higher Examiner Insights.
Make your mock revision count: free account
- Build your own mockPick your weak topics and take a test made from the free questions, then mark it.
- My mistakesEvery question you get wrong goes into one list, ready to retry before the mock.
- Skill BuildersShort drills on one skill at a time, with your progress saved.
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Common questions
What is on the Edexcel IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Foundation mock exam?
Your school sets the mock, so check with your teacher. Most follow the real exam: Paper 1F (2 hours, 100 marks, calculator) and Paper 2F (2 hours, 100 marks, calculator).
Can I use a calculator in the 4MA1 Foundation papers?
Yes. A calculator is allowed in both 4MA1 Foundation papers. Show your working anyway, because many marks are for the method.
Is there a free 4MA1 Foundation mock paper?
Not a full Foundation paper of ours yet, but our Foundation questions by topic area are free with mark schemes and worked solutions. The board publishes its own past papers and mark schemes; our past-paper page links each one and has an exam timer.
How long should I revise for my 4MA1 Foundation mock?
Two weeks is enough for the plan on this page: ten topic days, then two timed papers and a day to fix the gaps. With only 12 days, use the 12-day mock plan instead.
Are these real exam board papers?
The past papers we link are the board's own. Everything else on this page, including the questions, is written by us and is not from Pearson Edexcel.
Other IGCSE mock guides
4MA1 Higher mock exam · 0580 Extended mock exam · 0580 Core mock exam · all IGCSE Maths mock exams
Independent revision resource, not produced or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge International. The past papers are linked on the boards' own websites; every other paper and question here is our own.
IGCSE Math Revision is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the International Baccalaureate Organization. This work/product/service has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate, Baccalauréat International, Bachillerato Internacional and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.