Grade planner · Edexcel GCSE Maths
From grade 3 to grade 4
Grade 4 is the standard pass. Here is how many more marks it takes, and which topics most often carry them.
The gap in marks on Foundation
38–41
more marks out of 240 for a 4 than a 3: about 13–14 per paper.
| Series | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 110 | 151 | 41 |
| June 2025 | 105 | 144 | 39 |
| June 2024 | 103 | 142 | 39 |
| June 2023 | 109 | 147 | 38 |
From Pearson's published Foundation boundaries. Boundaries move every year, so these show a spread, not a prediction. All boundaries since 2017.
Where the marks are
On real Foundation papers, questions at grade 4 are worth about 64 marks per exam (averaged over 12 exam series plus Pearson's specimen papers). These topics carry the most of them:
- Direct and inverse proportion≈ 3.3 marks per examPractise
- Averages and spread≈ 3.1 marks per examPractise
- Percentages≈ 2.9 marks per examPractise
- Quadratic graphs≈ 2.8 marks per examPractise
- Fractions≈ 2.8 marks per examPractise
- Percentage change and reverse percentages≈ 2.8 marks per examPractise
- Factors, multiples and primes≈ 2.6 marks per examPractise
- Venn diagrams and sets≈ 2.5 marks per examPractise
- Calculating with integers, decimals and negatives≈ 2.5 marks per examPractise
- Charts, graphs and time series≈ 2.3 marks per examPractise
The gap in marks on Higher
16–17
more marks out of 240 for a 4 than a 3: about 5–6 per paper.
| Series | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 34 | 50 | 16 |
| June 2025 | 36 | 53 | 17 |
| June 2024 | 26 | 42 | 16 |
| June 2023 | 31 | 47 | 16 |
From Pearson's published Higher boundaries. Boundaries move every year, so these show a spread, not a prediction. All boundaries since 2017.
Where the marks are
On real Higher papers, questions at grade 4 are worth about 36 marks per exam (averaged over 12 exam series plus Pearson's specimen papers). These topics carry the most of them:
- Quadratic graphs≈ 2.5 marks per examPractise
- Fractions≈ 2.2 marks per examPractise
- Factors, multiples and primes≈ 2.2 marks per examPractise
- Venn diagrams and sets≈ 2 marks per examPractise
- Averages and spread≈ 2 marks per examPractise
- Speed, density and pressure≈ 1.8 marks per examPractise
- Expanding brackets and simplifying≈ 1.7 marks per examPractise
- Powers, roots and indices≈ 1.5 marks per examPractise
- Percentage change and reverse percentages≈ 1.4 marks per examPractise
- Tree diagrams and combined events≈ 1.4 marks per examPractise
How to close the gap
- Bank the early questions first
Each paper gets harder as it goes. Most students close to a 4 lose more marks through slips in the first half than they could gain at the end, so check every early answer.
- Learn the grade 4 core
Percentages, fractions, ratio, proportion, averages and basic probability carry many of the grade 4 marks. Get these secure before anything else.
- Always write your working
Many marks are for method. A wrong final answer with clear working can still score most of the marks; a wrong answer on its own scores nothing.
- Use your calculator properly on Papers 2 and 3
Know how to use the fraction, power and bracket keys. Write down the full calculator display before you round.
- Sit real papers under time
A timed mock shows where the marks go and gets you used to 90 minutes. Two or three before the exam makes a real difference.
Why grade 4 matters
Without a grade 4, maths has to be studied again after 16 and resat. It is also the grade most colleges and apprenticeships ask for.
Foundation or Higher?
Grade 4 can be reached on either tier. On Foundation it needs well over half the marks; on Higher it needs far fewer marks, but from much harder questions, and falling below the lowest Higher boundary gives a U. Your school decides your tier.
Know where you are first
Take the Check-Up
About 25 minutes. Shows which topics are costing you marks now.
Sit a timed mock
A real paper, timed, with your mark and a grade estimate.
Grade calculator
Turn a mock total into a grade in recent exams.
Questions students ask
How many marks do you need for a grade 4 in GCSE Maths?
On Edexcel GCSE Maths, grade 4 needed 151 out of 240 on Foundation and 50 out of 240 on Higher in June 2026. Boundaries change every year, so aim a few marks above them.
How many more marks is grade 4 than grade 3?
On Foundation, 38–41 marks out of 240 across June 2026, June 2025, June 2024, June 2023: about 13–14 marks per paper. On Higher, 16–17 marks out of 240 across June 2026, June 2025, June 2024, June 2023: about 5–6 marks per paper.
What should I revise to get a grade 4?
On past Foundation papers, the topics carrying the most marks at grade 4 were direct and inverse proportion; averages and spread; percentages; quadratic graphs; and fractions. Once the topics you find easier are secure, work on these next.