Edexcel IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Higher mock exam: the papers and a 2-week plan
Your 4MA1 Higher mock is most likely Paper 1H (2 h, calculator) and Paper 2H (2 h, calculator). Below: the paper format, free papers to practise, a 2-week revision plan and the mistakes that cost 4MA1 Higher students marks.
By Pete Bromfield, former Head of Maths with examining experience (independent)
The 4MA1 Higher papers
Most school mocks for 4MA1 Higher are two full papers, 1H and 2H, in the format of the real exam. Both papers can test any topic in the specification, and the hardest questions at the end of each paper decide the 8s and 9s. Ask your teacher which papers and topics your school's mock uses. The real 4MA1 Higher exam is:
| Paper | Time | Marks | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1H | 2 hours | 100 | Allowed |
| Paper 2H | 2 hours | 100 | Allowed |
Edexcel International GCSE Maths A (4MA1), Higher tier: 200 marks in all, grades 9 to 4 (a 3 is allowed). More: 4MA1 past papers · the formulas not on the formulae sheet · the 4MA1 formula sheet.
Free papers to sit before your 4MA1 Higher mock
Sit something timed first and mark it honestly: the questions you drop marks on are the topics to start with.
Start here, free
Printable practice exams
Our own exams by topic area, each with its own mark scheme, no sign-up. Sit two or three of them timed as a mock of the topics you have covered.
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 Higher mock revision plan
Ten days on the topics where 4MA1 Higher students lose the most marks, in the order our Examiner Insights rank them, then four days on papers. Each day links to free exam-style questions with worked answers.
- Day 1
Completing the square, quadratic inequalities and harder quadratics
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Completing the Square: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples · Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Quadratic Equations: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples
- Day 2
Probability (trees, combinations, conditional) and Venn diagrams
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Tree Diagrams and Conditional Probability: Exam Questions and Answers · Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Sets and Venn Diagrams: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples
- Day 3
Reverse percentages and compound interest
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Percentages: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples
- Day 4
Histograms and cumulative frequency
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Histograms and Cumulative Frequency: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 5
Functions and graph transformations
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Functions: Exam Questions and Answers · Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Graph Transformations: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 6
Simultaneous equations with a quadratic
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Simultaneous Equations: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples
- Day 7
Differentiation: gradients and turning points
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Differentiation: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 8
Upper and lower bounds in calculations
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Rounding and Bounds: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 9
Index equations and triple brackets
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Indices and Standard Form: exam questions and answers, notes and worked examples · Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Expanding and Factorising: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 10
Similar shapes: area and volume scale factors
Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 Similar Shapes: Exam Questions and Answers
- Day 11
Paper 1H, timed
Sit a recent Paper 1H 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 2H, timed
Sit the Paper 2H from the same series: 2 hours, with your calculator.
- Day 14
Formulas and a light review
Go over the formulas not on the formulae sheet and 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 Higher students marks
From our summary of Pearson Edexcel’s examiner reports. 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.
Completing the square with a negative x² coefficient
Fix: Factor out the coefficient of x² (with its sign), complete the square inside, then multiply back carefully.
Simultaneous equations with a quadratic: expanding (5 − x)²
Fix: Expand (a − x)² as a² − 2ax + x². Give each solution as an (x, y) pair.
Histograms: reading heights as frequencies
Fix: Frequency = frequency density × class width. Use a bar you know to work out the scale.
Upper and lower bounds: wrong combination and 8.449…
Fix: For a ÷ b, the upper bound is (upper a) ÷ (lower b). Use the exact bound value.
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.
Make a free account: no card needed5 more practice questions on every topic with instant feedback, answers and mark schemes on free questions, 3 AI-marked answers a week, free, and your streak and progress on any device.
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Common questions
What is on the Edexcel IGCSE Maths 4MA1 Higher mock exam?
Your school sets the mock, so check with your teacher. Most follow the real exam: Paper 1H (2 hours, 100 marks, calculator) and Paper 2H (2 hours, 100 marks, calculator).
Can I use a calculator in the 4MA1 Higher papers?
Yes. A calculator is allowed in both 4MA1 Higher papers. Show your working anyway, because many marks are for the method.
Is there a free 4MA1 Higher mock paper?
Yes. Our printable practice exams are free with mark schemes, no sign-up. 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 Higher 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 practice exams and questions, is written by us and is not from Pearson Edexcel.
Other IGCSE mock guides
4MA1 Foundation 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.