Edexcel IGCSE Maths January 2021 Paper 1F: question paper and mark scheme (4MA1)
Foundation tier Paper 1F, sat in January 2021, with 2 versions (1F and 1FR): 2 h, 100 marks, calculator allowed. The buttons open Pearson's own files.
The official paper and mark scheme
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Paper 1F (Foundation) 4MA1/1F
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Paper 1FR (Foundation) 4MA1/1FR
Sit it under exam conditions: open the paper, press Start timer, press Finish when time is up, then mark it against the mark scheme.
Try 3 4MA1 questions like these
Written and checked by us, not taken from the Pearson paper. Tap "Worked answer" to see every step.
Degree of accuracy · 2 marks
Estimate the value of \(\sqrt{97.3} \times 3.18\). Show how you got your estimate.
Worked answer
- √97.3 ≈ √100 = 10 and 3.18 ≈ 3.
- Estimate: 10 × 3 = 30.
Answer: \(30\)
Expressions and formulae · 2 marks
The perimeter of a rectangle is given by \(P = 2(l + w)\).
Find \(w\) when \(P = 34\) and \(l = 11\)
Worked answer
- 34 = 2(11 + w), so 11 + w = 17.
- w = 17 − 11 = 6.
Answer: \(w = 6\)
Transformation geometry · 2 marks
Write down the coordinates of the image of the point \((4, 1)\) after a reflection in
(a) the line \(y = x\) (b) the line \(x = 2\).
Worked answer
- (a) Reflecting in y = x swaps the coordinates: (1, 4).
- (b) (4, 1) is 2 units to the right of x = 2, so its image is 2 units to the left: (0, 1).
Answer: (a) \((1, 4)\) (b) \((0, 1)\)
More on these topics: Degree of accuracy · Expressions and formulae · Transformation geometry
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What this paper covers
Both Foundation tier papers can test the whole 4MA1 specification at Foundation level:
- Numbers and the number system
- Equations, formulae and identities
- Sequences, functions and graphs
- Geometry and trigonometry
- Vectors and transformation geometry
- Statistics and probability
We haven't mapped this paper question by question yet, so here are our revision units for the whole specification. Each opens the practice for that unit.
Formula booklet
International GCSE Mathematics A formulae sheet (Higher tier) · Pearson Edexcel · 4MA1 specification, Appendix 5 (current)
4MA1 has no separate booklet: the Higher tier formulae sheet is printed inside every exam paper and in Appendix 5 of the specification (the link).
Paper 1F in other series
- June 2025
- November 2024
- June 2024
- November 2023
- June 2023
- January 2023
- June 2022
- January 2022
- November 2021
- June 2021
- November 2020
- January 2020
- June 2019
- January 2019
- June 2018
Same series
Keep revising
Questions students ask
Where is the January 2021 Paper 1F mark scheme?
The mark scheme button above opens Pearson's own copy.
What are the grade boundaries for 4MA1 January 2021?
Pearson publishes the official boundaries for every series on its grade boundaries page (opens in a new tab). They are set for the qualification (both papers together), so we link there rather than quote them.
What is the difference between 1F and 1FR?
R papers are the version sat in some time zones. They follow the same specification, length and mark scheme style, so both are good practice.