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PEARSON iGCSE maths higher past papers and more

Below you will find all available past papers, mark schemes and grade boundaries for the PEARSON higher examination. Also included is the course specification and other useful information, including the dates of your examinations this year.

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Pearson international iGCSE Higher Maths Grade Boundaries (9 - 3)

The maximun mark, a total from the two exam papers, is 200. Note, Pearson grade boundarys change a little from year to year. Although Pearson work hard to set exam papers to the same level of difficulty from year to year, small variations do occur. To compensate, grade boundaries fluxuate dependng upon the difficult of the paper.

PEARSON region 1: higher 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
June 2018 74.5% = 149 75% = 125 51% = 102 40.5% = 81 30% = 60 19.5% = 39 14% = 28
Jan 2019 77.5% = 155 63.5% = 127 50% = 100 39.5% = 79 29% = 58 10% = 38 14% = 28
June 2019 75% = 150 62.5% = 125 50.5% = 101 40.5% = 81 30.5% = 61 20.5% = 41 15.5% = 31
Jan 2020 79.5% = 159 65.5% = 131 52% = 104 41.5% = 83 31% = 62 20.5% = 41 15% = 30
Nov 2020 70.5% = 141 58% = 116 45.5% = 91 34% = 68 23% = 46 12% = 24 6.5% = 13
Jan 2021 70.5% = 141 58% = 116 45.5% = 91 34% = 68 23% = 46 12% = 24 6.5% = 13
June 2021 = COVID
Nov 2021 138 = 69% 111 = 55.5% 86 = 43% 64 = 32% 42 = 21% 21 = 10.5% 10 = 5%
Jan 2022 136 = 68% 111 = 55.5% 86 = 43% 64 = 32% 42 = 21% 21 = 10.5% 10 = 5%
June 2022 142 = 71% 117 = 58.5% 92 = 46% 69 = 34.5% 47 = 23.5% 25 = 12.5% 14 = 7%
Jan 2023 142 = 71% 117 = 58.5% 92 = 46% 69 = 34.5% 47 = 23.5% 25 = 12.5% 14 = 7%
June 2023

NOTE: percentages are rounded to nearest 0.5%

iGCSE HIGHER Past Papers and mark schemes


Practicing past papers should rank highly on any students list of revision tools. Importantly, do not forget about a completed paper once you have marked your answers. Seek help and support to understand and learn more about the topics you are getting wrong.


  • Access and download a past paper.
  • Mark your answers using the mark scheme. 
  • Use grade boundaries to obtain a grade to see how well you are progressing.


Region 1: These higher papers were sat by students living in UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). It is also worth while practicing the past papers used to test students living in region 2. Region 2 papers are included lower down on this page.


Unavailable papers: The most recent past papers are not availiable to the public as schools typically ue these papers for mock examinations. Hence, you will not find the January 2023 and June 2023 papers published on the internet.


The termination of January examinations. Be aware that this January 2023 series will be the final January series available for International GCSE, as Pearson is replacing the January exams with a November examination.


This examination comprises of two papers.

Calculator Paper 1 = 2 hours = 100 marks.

Calculator Paper 2 = 2 hours = 100 marks.
The exam maximum is a score of 200 marks. 


Examination dates for students living in region 1: 2024

NOVEMBER 2023 Paper 1 Paper 2
Wed 8th November Friday 10th November
SUMMER 2024 Paper 1 Paper 2
Thursday 16th May Monday 3rd June
map europe, midde east, africa
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Higher past papers sat by student living in region 2


Students living in ASIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND and the
PACIFIC sit region 2 examination papers. Even if you live in

region 1, it is worth while practicing these past papers.

map ASIA, AUSTRALIA,  NEW ZEALAND, PACIFIC

Region 2: Pearson iGCSE Higher maths grade boundaries (9 - 3)

Combining the marks from both papers gives a maximum score of 200.

Region 2 Higher 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
June 2018 80% = 160 65.5% = 131 51.5% = 103 40.5% = 81 30% = 60 19.5% = 39 14% = 28
Jan 2019 76.5% = 153 62.5% = 125 48.5% = 97 38.5% = 77 28.5% = 57 19% = 38 14% = 28
June 2019 79.5% = 159 64.5% = 129 50.5% = 101 39.5% = 79 29% = 58 18.5% = 37 13% = 26
Jan 2020 79% = 158 65% = 130 51.5% = 103 41% = 82 30.5% = 61 20.5% = 41 15.5% = 31
Nov 2020 76% = 152 60.% = 121 45.5% = 91 33.5% = 67 21.5% = 43 10% = 20 4% = 8
Jan 2021 76% = 152 60.5% = 121 45.5% = 91 33.5% = 67 21.5% = 43 10% = 20 4% = 8
Jan 2022 136 = 68% 111 = 55.5% 86 = 43% 64 = 32% 42 = 21% 21 = 10.5% 10 = 5%
Jun 2022 143 = 71.5% 113 = 56.5% 84 = 42% 63 = 31.5% 42 = 21% 21 = 10.5% 10 = 5%
Jan 2023 149 = 74.5% 124 = 62% 99 = 49.5% 75 = 37.5% 52 = 26% 29 = 14.5% 17 = 8.5%

Moe about Pearson's series 4MA1 (syllabus A) - higher 

Pearson (formally Edexcel) International iGCSEs are globally recognised qualifications with academic content designed specifically for international learners.  This qualification is comparable to the UK reformed GCSEs in terms of the level of demand and as   sessment standards.  The time zone that a candidate lives in determines which version of the examination they will sit.


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