Edexcel IGCSE Maths June 2025 Paper 2H: question paper and mark scheme (4MA1)

3 4MA1 questions like these, with worked solutions

Written and checked by us, not taken from the Pearson paper. Try each one, then tap "Worked solution" to see every step and its marks.

1. Indices and Standard Form

   Work out $(7\times {10}^5)\times (6\times {10}^{-2})$, giving your answer in standard form.

   Worked solution

   1. Multiply the numbers: $7\times 6=42$.
   2. Add the powers: ${10}^{5+(-2)}={10}^3$.
   3. $42\times {10}^3=4.2\times {10}^4$.

   Answer: $4.2\times {10}^4$

2. Simultaneous Equations

   Solve $2x+3y=12$ and $4x-3y=6$.

   Worked solution

   1. Add the equations (the $y$ terms cancel): $6x=18$, so $x=3$.
   2. Substitute: $6+3y=12$, so $y=2$.

   Answer: $x=3,y=2$

3. Congruent Triangles

   Two triangles each have sides 5 cm and 8 cm with an included angle of ${70}^{\circ }$. Are they congruent?

   Worked solution

   1. Two sides and the angle between them are equal.
   2. Yes: congruent by SAS.

   Answer: Yes (SAS)

More on these topics: Indices and Standard Form · Simultaneous Equations · Congruent Triangles

What was on this paper

Every question on 4MA1/2H, with the topic it tests, matched by us from Pearson's examiner report for the paper. Each topic opens our worked examples and exam-style questions on it.

4MA1/2H: question by question

Tap a question number to learn that topic and practise questions on it. Topic labels are ours (high confidence, checked 2026-09-26); the questions themselves are in the official paper.

1. Q1Statistical Measures 1 (3 marks) · Mean, Median and Mode
2. Q2Transformations 4: Enlargements (positive scale factor, finding the centre) (5 marks) · Transformations
3. Q3Fractions 2 (3 marks) · Fractions and Decimals
4. Q4Constructions 2 (2 marks) · Bearings and Constructions
5. Q5Similarity 1: Similar Polygons (4 marks) · Similar Shapes
6. Q6Ratio 1 (4 marks) · Ratio
7. Q7Simple and Compound Interest (3 marks) · Percentages
8. Q8Equations 1 (3 marks) · Linear Equations
9. Q9Linear Inequalities 1 (5 marks) · Inequalities
10. Q10Pythagoras' Theorem 1 (5 marks) · Pythagoras' Theorem
11. Q11Ratio 1 (3 marks) · Ratio
12. Q12Brackets 3 (3 marks) · Expanding and Factorising
13. Q13Cumulative Frequency 1 (6 marks) · Histograms and Cumulative Frequency
14. Q14Probability 3: Probability Trees (2 marks) · Tree Diagrams and Conditional Probability
15. Q15Indices 2 (3 marks) · Indices and Standard Form
16. Q16Rearranging Formulae 3: Subject Appears Twice (4 marks) · Rearranging Formulae
17. Q17Differentiation 4: Stationary Points (6 marks) · Differentiation
18. Q18Recurring Decimals to Fractions (2 marks) · Recurring Decimals
19. Q19Quadratic Inequalities (algebra & graphs) (3 marks) · Inequalities
20. Q20Venn Diagrams 2: Cardinality & Counting (6 marks) · Sets and Venn Diagrams
21. Q21Surface Area 1: Prisms & Cylinders (3 marks) · Volume and Surface Area
22. Q22Upper and Lower Bounds 2 (4 marks) · Rounding and Bounds
23. Q23Algebraic Fractions 1: Simplifying (4 marks) · Algebraic Fractions
24. Q24Circle Properties 1: Chords & Intersecting Chords (4 marks) · Circle Theorems
25. Q25Completing the Square 2 (6 marks) · Completing the Square
26. Q26Similarity 3: Volume Scale Factors (4 marks) · Similar Shapes

Where marks were lost on this paper, and the fix

From Pearson's examiner report for this paper, in our own words. Try the question first, then check your working against each point.

• Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest (2H Q7). Fix: Use amount × multiplierⁿ. For depreciation the multiplier is below 1 (e.g. 0.85).
• Completing the square with a negative x² coefficient (2H Q25). Fix: Factor out the coefficient of x² (with its sign), complete the square inside, then multiply back carefully.
• Cumulative frequency plotted at midpoints (2H Q13). Fix: Plot running totals at the upper class boundary and join with a smooth curve; show your reading lines.
• Similar shapes: length scale factor used for area or volume (2H Q26). Fix: Find the length scale factor k first; area × k², volume × k³.
• Upper and lower bounds: wrong combination and 8.449… (2H Q22). Fix: For a ÷ b, the upper bound is (upper a) ÷ (lower b). Use the exact bound value.
• Differentiation: forgetting the negative root and the context (2H Q17). Fix: Write ± when square-rooting. "Turning point", "gradient" and "maximum" all mean differentiate.
• Quadratic inequalities: the final answer (2H Q19). Fix: Sketch: between the roots for < 0, outside for > 0. Write one combined inequality or two with "or".
• Index equations with different bases (2H Q15). Fix: Rewrite each side as a power of the same prime, then equate the indices.

What the examiners said about this paper

Summarised in our own words from the board's examiner report (Examiner Insights).

• 4MA1/2H: Compound interest and depreciation done as simple interest (Q7); Completing the square with a negative x² coefficient (Q25); Cumulative frequency plotted at midpoints (Q13). Official examiner report ↗

Question-by-question topics, the top mistakes and what to focus on next →

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).