Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B (4MB1) Past Papers 2026
Download free Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B past papers, mark schemes. 29 exam sessions from 2011–2026.
June 2024
Latest Session
29
Sessions
2011–2026
52
Question Papers
52
Mark Schemes
100% coverage
4
Specimen Papers
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute shows how fast you have to work — the higher the number, the tighter the time pressure in that paper.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (4MB1/01) | Mathematics B — Paper 1 | 100 | 1h 30min | 1.11 | Very high |
| Paper 2 (4MB1/02) | Mathematics B — Paper 2 | 100 | 2h 30min | 0.67 | Steady |
Component structure extracted from 3 official Edexcel documents (2023–2024). Timings and mark totals are taken from the papers themselves.
Yearly Exam Sessions
Specimen Papers
How is Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B examined?
Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B is examined through 2 paper components. Understanding each component helps you allocate revision time effectively.
Paper 1 (4MB1/01)
100 marksMathematics B — Paper 1
Duration: 1h 30min
Paper 2 (4MB1/02)
100 marksMathematics B — Paper 2
Duration: 2h 30min
What Edexcel examiners say about Mathematics B
Verbatim quotes from 3 official Edexcel examiner reports (2023–2024). Every quote is attributable to a specific paper and session — these are the things Edexcel markers flag year after year.
Not showing working in questions that can be done on a…
Remember when a question asks for working, clear method should be shown, and simple use of a calculator would not gain credit. This was evident this year in particular in questions 16 (fractions) and 20 (surds).
Poor structure in multi-step problem-solving questions
Structuring and labelling working in multistage problem-solving questions such as 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28.
Congruence proofs
By far the most common were using the assumption that angle AED = angle BEC to prove the same and assuming that a trapezium contains a line of symmetry.
Most Common Mistakes — Mathematics B
Based on analysis of 3 official Edexcel examiner reports (2023, 2024). Avoid these errors to maximise your marks.
Not showing working in questions that can be done on a calculator
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024) · Explicitly flagged in both Paper 1 reports (2023 and 2024) as the primary reason marks were lost on fraction and surd questions
Poor structure in multi-step problem-solving questions — unlabelled working, missing intermediate values
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 2 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024) · Flagged across every multi-step question (Q22–28) in both 2023 papers and the 2024 Paper 1
Congruence proofs — circular reasoning or unjustified symmetry assumptions
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024) · Flagged in both 2023 and 2024 Paper 1 as among the worst-answered questions on the paper
Standard form arithmetic — attempting to add/subtract in standard form directly without converting
Paper 1 (June 2023) · Flagged in Paper 1 June 2023; only a minority of candidates gained any marks on that question
Vectors — subtracting instead of adding to find a vector from coordinates or position vectors
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024) · Flagged in Paper 1 June 2023 and Paper 1 June 2024; a significant number of candidates failed to gain any marks
Topics Students Struggle With Most
Standard form — adding and subtracting numbers in standard form without a calculator
In Paper 1 June 2023 Q12, only a minority of candidates gained any marks. Most incorrectly multiplied or added the indices. Some tried to use a calculator but got 0 due to the number being too small for the calculator's range — then attempted an impossible operation.
Paper 1 (June 2023)
Congruence proofs — logical structure, reasons, and naming the criterion
Q14 Paper 1 June 2023 and Q10 Paper 1 June 2024 both showed very few candidates scoring above 1 mark. The most common errors were circular reasoning, unjustified symmetry assumptions, and failing to name the congruence criterion even after finding three correct properties.
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024)
Upper and lower bounds — identifying which bound to use in a calculation
Q21 Paper 1 June 2024 saw many candidates struggle with the correct bound for each variable, especially the bound for y. Candidates who found no bounds but knew the method could gain only 1 mark. The final accuracy mark required using the correct bound throughout.
Paper 1 (June 2024)
HCF and LCM — applying them in context, especially LCM problems
Q14 Paper 1 June 2024: a significant proportion of students struggled with LCM in context. Many could write numbers in prime factor form for HCF but 'didn't really know how to tackle' the LCM problem. Those who listed multiples of the larger number fared best.
Paper 1 (June 2024)
Grouped data statistics — using midpoints for estimated mean and identifying median class
Q23 Paper 1 June 2024: candidates frequently answered parts in the wrong section (suggesting conceptual confusion between modal class, median class, and estimated mean). Using the lower bound instead of the midpoint for estimated mean was a common error. Providing at least 3 correct midpoint products was required for both product marks.
Paper 1 (June 2024), Paper 2 (June 2023)
Similar shapes — area and volume scale factors from linear scale factor
Q24 Paper 1 June 2024: many candidates cube-rooted the volume ratio to find the linear scale factor correctly, but then failed to square it to obtain the area scale factor. Even candidates who found the correct scale factor often could not form or rearrange the required equation.
Paper 1 (June 2024)
Differentiation — converting rational/root expressions to index form before differentiating
Approximately half of candidates in Paper 1 June 2023 Q21 gained zero marks. The first mark was awarded for simply rewriting the expression in index form — not for differentiating — yet most did not achieve even this. Paper 2 June 2023 Q11 showed confusion between 'stops' (v=0) and 'stops accelerating' (dv/dt=0).
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 2 (June 2023)
Vectors — finding a vector from position vectors, and using parameters to solve vector collinearity problems
Paper 1 June 2023 Q16: significant numbers scored zero for the vector AB expression, losing all subsequent marks including the modulus. Paper 2 June 2023 Q12b and Paper 1 June 2024 Q26b: setting up two independent vector expressions and equating coefficients of each base vector was too challenging for most; only those who equated coefficients of BOTH base vectors progressed.
Paper 1 (June 2023), Paper 2 (June 2023), Paper 1 (June 2024)
Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B — Full Archive 2011–2026
This page contains all 104 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B past papers available for free download — 29 exam sessions from 2011 to 2026. Each session includes question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and where applicable, marking advice (MA) and insert materials (IN). No registration or payment required.
Pearson Edexcel A Level Mathematics B is graded A*–E. Edexcel A Levels are widely recognised by universities in the UK and internationally. As part of Pearson, Edexcel also offers International A Levels (IAL) with a modular structure — make sure you're practising with papers that match your specification.
Edexcel A Level papers are split into components that assess different specification areas. Some subjects have a practical endorsement or coursework element alongside the written papers — the past papers in this archive cover the written examination components.
Edexcel mark schemes distinguish between method marks (M), accuracy marks (A), and independent marks (B). Even if your final answer is wrong, clear working can earn method marks — so always show your steps. After completing each Mathematics B past paper under timed exam conditions, mark it against the official scheme and track which topics and question types cost you the most marks. Focusing revision on your weakest areas across 3–5 papers is the most efficient way to improve your grade.
Mathematics B (4MB1) at other levels
Questions, answered.
PapersDaddy provides 104 free Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B past papers from 2011–2026. Download question papers and mark schemes as PDF — no registration needed.
We have 104 papers across 29 exam sessions for Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Mathematics B. This includes question papers and mark schemes, plus 4 specimen papers.
QP = Question Paper (the actual exam paper), MS = Mark Scheme (official marking guide with accepted answers), MA = Marking Advice (additional guidance for markers), IN = Insert (source material booklet used during the exam). Download both the QP and MS for each session to practise effectively.