International GCSE tutors, graded 9 to 1.

Pearson Edexcel’s qualification for learners aged 14 to 16, offered in 37 subjects and described by Pearson as “comparable to the UK GCSE, with appropriate international content and assessment”. It is a two-year linear course examined at the end, graded 9–1, and studied in over 80 countries and in UK independent schools.

On the 9–1 scale in every subject — 9 is the highest grade. Pearson states that “All subjects awarded under the new 9–1 grading scale from August 2019”, aligned with the reformed GCSEs in England. Unlike Cambridge IGCSE, there is no A*–G version of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE.

Mathematics A (4MA1) is the tiered subject: Foundation papers 1F and 2F target grades 5–1, Higher papers 1H and 2H target grades 9–4, and grades 5 and 4 are available in both. Each paper is 2 hours, 100 marks and half the qualification, both sat in the same series, with a calculator allowed. Apex assesses your child first and recommends the tier honestly.

Both are Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics, under separate codes. Maths A (4MA1) is two tiers and two 2-hour papers. Maths B (4MB1) is a single tier targeted at grades 9–4 “with 3 allowed”, at “equivalent standard to the Higher Tier content of Pearson’s regulated GCSE in Mathematics”, with a 1h30 paper worth a third and a 2h30 paper worth two-thirds. Neither has coursework.

No. Biology (4BI1), Chemistry (4CH1) and Physics (4PH1) are untiered: every student sits the same two written papers in the same series — Paper 1 (2 hours) worth 61.1% and Paper 2 worth 38.9% — with no coursework. Science Double Award (4SD0) is three 2-hour papers, one each in biology, chemistry and physics, at a third each.

In May–June and November each year. Pearson ended the January series with January 2023 and introduced a November series from November 2023; every International GCSE subject is still offered in May–June. Entries are made by the school or centre against Pearson’s deadlines — 12 September 2026 for the November 2026 series, for example.

Yes, in a later series. Because the qualification is linear, Pearson requires candidates “to retake all written units in the qualification unless taking a modular qualification”, while coursework results can be carried forward. A modular route exists for international centres only in listed subjects including Mathematics A, the sciences, English Language A and English Literature.