Grade planner · Edexcel GCSE Maths
From grade 4 to grade 5
Grade 5 is a strong pass. Here is the gap in marks on each tier, and the topics where those marks usually come from.
The gap in marks on Foundation
30–35
more marks out of 240 for a 5 than a 4: about 10–12 per paper.
| Series | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 151 | 181 | 30 |
| June 2025 | 144 | 175 | 31 |
| June 2024 | 142 | 175 | 33 |
| June 2023 | 147 | 182 | 35 |
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 5 are worth about 55 marks per exam (averaged over 12 exam series plus Pearson's specimen papers). These topics carry the most of them:
- Volume and surface area≈ 4 marks per examPractise
- Angle facts and parallel lines≈ 3.8 marks per examPractise
- Ratio≈ 3.6 marks per examPractise
- Pythagoras and trigonometry≈ 3.4 marks per examPractise
- Area and perimeter≈ 3.2 marks per examPractise
- Speed, density and pressure≈ 3.1 marks per examPractise
- Percentage change and reverse percentages≈ 2.5 marks per examPractise
- Compound interest, growth and decay≈ 2.2 marks per examPractise
- Angles in polygons≈ 1.9 marks per examPractise
- Coordinates and straight-line graphs≈ 1.9 marks per examPractise
The gap in marks on Higher
31–34
more marks out of 240 for a 5 than a 4: about 10–11 per paper.
| Series | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 50 | 82 | 32 |
| June 2025 | 53 | 87 | 34 |
| June 2024 | 42 | 73 | 31 |
| June 2023 | 47 | 79 | 32 |
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 5 are worth about 55 marks per exam (averaged over 12 exam series plus Pearson's specimen papers). These topics carry the most of them:
- Volume and surface area≈ 3.8 marks per examPractise
- Ratio≈ 3.6 marks per examPractise
- Speed, density and pressure≈ 3.5 marks per examPractise
- Area and perimeter≈ 2.8 marks per examPractise
- Percentage change and reverse percentages≈ 2.4 marks per examPractise
- Pythagoras and trigonometry≈ 2.4 marks per examPractise
- Averages and spread≈ 2.4 marks per examPractise
- Box plots≈ 2.2 marks per examPractise
- Angles in polygons≈ 2.1 marks per examPractise
- Standard form≈ 2 marks per examPractise
How to close the gap
- Don't give away grade 4 marks
The first step to a 5 is keeping every mark you already get. Re-read each question and check the units and the rounding asked for.
- Get the grade 5 topics secure
Pythagoras and trigonometry, compound measures (speed, density, pressure), area and volume, ratio problems and standard form come up again and again at this level.
- Practise the multi-step questions
Grade 5 questions often need two or three steps with no guidance on the order. Plan what you need to find before you start calculating.
- Read the question twice
Many dropped marks at this level come from answering a slightly different question: the wrong unit, the total instead of the difference, or not giving a reason when asked.
- Review the questions you got wrong
Questions you drop marks on come back in "Due for review" after two days, then after a week. That is how methods stick.
Why grade 5 matters
Many sixth forms ask for a 5 in maths for A level science, economics and psychology, and grade 5 is the "strong pass" used in school performance tables.
Foundation or Higher?
A 5 is the top grade on Foundation, so it needs most of the marks there. On Higher it needs far fewer marks, but the questions are harder. If you are between tiers, ask your teacher which gives you the better chance.
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 5 in GCSE Maths?
On Edexcel GCSE Maths, grade 5 needed 181 out of 240 on Foundation and 82 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 5 than grade 4?
On Foundation, 30–35 marks out of 240 across June 2026, June 2025, June 2024, June 2023: about 10–12 marks per paper. On Higher, 31–34 marks out of 240 across June 2026, June 2025, June 2024, June 2023: about 10–11 marks per paper.
What should I revise to get a grade 5?
On past Foundation papers, the topics carrying the most marks at grade 5 were volume and surface area; angle facts and parallel lines; ratio; Pythagoras and trigonometry; and area and perimeter. Once the topics you find easier are secure, work on these next.