IGCSE Math RevisionHow to pass GCSE Maths: get a grade 4
Worried about passing? You don't need every topic. A grade 4 is built on the basics: number, fractions and percentages, ratio, simple algebra, angles, area, probability and reading charts. Learn those well and you give yourself the best chance.
What a grade 4 means
- GCSE Maths in England is graded 9 to 1, with 9 the highest. The Department for Education calls grade 4 a "standard pass" and grade 5 a "strong pass".
- Grade 4 is the grade that sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships and employers most often ask for in maths. Check the exact entry requirement for your own course.
- Ofqual lined the new grades up with the old ones: the bottom of grade 4 matches the bottom of the old grade C.
- You can get a 4 on either tier. Foundation papers lead to grades 1 to 5; Higher papers lead to grades 4 to 9 (with a grade 3 allowed if you only just miss a 4).
- We don't quote a mark for a grade 4: grade boundaries are set after each exam series and change every time. Your board publishes them: AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR.
Sources: Ofqual, GCSE 9 to 1 grades: a brief guide. Last checked 27 September 2026.
If you don't get a 4: resits
- In England, if you are 16 to 18 and in full-time education or training without a grade 4 in maths, you keep studying maths as part of your course. This is a government funding rule for schools and colleges, called the maths condition of funding.
- With a grade 3, full-time students retake GCSE Maths.
- With a grade 2 or below, you can work towards GCSE Maths, or first take a qualification such as Functional Skills maths as a step towards it. Your college agrees the route with you.
- GCSE Maths can be sat in the summer (May and June) and in November. The November series is for students who are 16 or older.
- Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules and qualifications, so ask your school or college.
Source: Department for Education, 16 to 19 funding: maths and English condition of funding (the rules are reviewed every academic year). Last checked 27 September 2026.
The basics that win the most marks
These nine topics come from the GCSE Maths content that every board follows. Each page has a short plain-English explainer, a worked example, the most common mistake and practice questions with full worked answers. 101 questions in all, free, no sign-in.
- 1Number skills11 questions with worked answers
- 2Fractions, decimals and percentages12 questions with worked answers
- 3Ratio11 questions with worked answers
- 4Basic algebra12 questions with worked answers
- 5Angles11 questions with worked answers
- 6Area and perimeter11 questions with worked answers
- 7Basic probability10 questions with worked answers
- 8Reading charts and tables11 questions with worked answers
- 9Non-calculator methods12 questions with worked answers
20 minutes a day for 6 weeks
A short, steady routine: one or two topics a week, five days a week. Each day: 5 minutes reading, 12 minutes of questions, 3 minutes marking. Then tick off the checklist as you go.
Exam tips for a grade 4
- Show your working. Method marks are often given even when the final answer is wrong.
- Answer every question. A blank scores nothing; a first step can score a mark.
- Do the early questions carefully. They are usually the most accessible, so check them before moving on.
- Read the question twice. Underline the units, the rounding and what it actually asks for.
When the basics feel solid
The rest of this site is written for the international GCSE (IGCSE) courses, not for GCSE Foundation, so use it as extra practice and skip anything your teacher hasn't covered: you don't need the harder topics for a grade 4.
- Free revision notes: the sections marked Core are at this level.
- Flashcards for formulae and key facts.
- Practice by topic and Skill Builders: start with number, ratio and percentages.
Sitting IGCSE instead? The same basics apply to Edexcel International GCSE 4MA1 and Cambridge IGCSE 0580.
Which exam boards?
The basics on these pages are part of every GCSE Maths specification in England: AQA (8300), Pearson Edexcel (1MA1) and OCR (J560), Foundation and Higher, following the Department for Education's GCSE Maths subject content. The questions are our own. They are not taken from any board's papers, and no board has reviewed or endorsed them.
Questions
How do I pass GCSE Maths?
Aim for a grade 4 by getting the basics secure: number skills, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio, simple algebra, angles, area and perimeter, basic probability, reading charts and written methods for the non-calculator paper. Practise a little every day, show your working and answer every question.
What grade is a pass in GCSE Maths?
Grade 4 is called a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. Grade 4 is the grade sixth forms, colleges and employers most often ask for in maths, but check the entry requirements for your own course.
Can I get a grade 4 on the Foundation tier?
Yes. Foundation papers lead to grades 1 to 5, so a 4 (and a 5) can be achieved on Foundation. Higher papers lead to grades 4 to 9.
How many marks do I need for a grade 4?
It changes every exam series. Grade boundaries are set after the papers are marked and published by each board on results day, so use the latest boundaries from AQA, Pearson Edexcel or OCR rather than a fixed number.
What happens if I don't get a 4 in GCSE Maths?
In England, students aged 16 to 18 in full-time education without a grade 4 keep studying maths. With a grade 3 you retake GCSE Maths; with a grade 2 or below you may take GCSE or a step such as Functional Skills first. Your school or college will set this up with you.
When can I resit GCSE Maths?
GCSE Maths is sat in the summer (May and June) and in November. The November series is for students aged 16 or over. Your school or college enters you, so ask them about dates.
Is this for IGCSE too?
Yes. The same basics apply if you are sitting Edexcel International GCSE (4MA1) or Cambridge IGCSE (0580). This page is written for the UK GCSE grade 4.
Is it free?
Yes. Every explainer, worked example, practice question, worked answer, the 6-week plan and the checklist on these pages is free to read, with no sign-in.