Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher (1MA1)
Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher (1MA1) is the upper tier of Pearson's GCSE Mathematics, covering grades 4 to 9 through three 1 hour 30 minute papers, one non-calculator and two calculator. Our Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher course follows the 1MA1 specification and covers number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and measures, probability and statistics at higher tier (grades 4 to 9). You prepare for all three 1 hour 30 minute papers, one non-calculator and two calculator, including the hardest grade 8 and 9 questions. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified subject tutor, who works through exam-style questions with you, marks your answers against the Edexcel mark scheme and shows you where marks are won and lost. Suitable for Year 10 and Year 11 students and resit candidates.
Reviewed by M. Wazid, Master's in Mathematics, Jamia Millia IslamiaLast updated
$14 – $27
per hour
Free demo class · pay only if you continue
What you will learn
Learning outcomes
- Master advanced numerical calculations
- Work confidently with powers roots and surds
- Apply ratio proportion and rates of change
- Manipulate complex algebraic expressions
- Solve quadratic equations
- Solve simultaneous equations and inequalities
- Work with functions and sequences
- Interpret linear quadratic and nonlinear graphs
- Apply coordinate geometry
- Use Pythagoras theorem and advanced trigonometry
- Apply sine and cosine rules
- Work with circles and geometric theorems
- Calculate area surface area and volume
- Understand vectors and transformations
- Calculate complex probabilities
- Apply conditional probability
- Analyse statistical data and distributions
- Develop mathematical reasoning and proof
- Solve multi-step and unfamiliar mathematical problems
- Answer Edexcel Higher exam-style questions effectively
Prerequisites
- Strong arithmetic skills
- Good understanding of fractions decimals and percentages
- Confident algebra skills
- Understanding of linear equations and graphs
- Knowledge of ratio and proportion
- Basic geometry and trigonometry knowledge
- Ability to solve multi-step mathematical problems
Tags
Course structure
Syllabus(6 modules)
- Mathematical Symbols
- Order of Operations (BIDMAS/BODMAS)
- Irrational Numbers
- Negative Numbers
- Money Calculations
- Addition & Subtraction
- Multiplication & Division
- Related
- Calculations
- Systematic Lists
- Product Rule for Counting
- Types of Numbers
- Prime Factor Decomposition
- Uses of Prime Factor Decomposition
- HCF & LCM
- Powers & Roots
- Laws of Indices
- Converting to and from
- Standard Form
- Operations with Standard Form
- Basic Fractions
- Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions
- Adding & Subtracting Fractions
- Multiplying & Dividing Fractions
- Basic Percentages
- Percentage Increases & Decreases
- Reverse Percentages
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Depreciation
- Exponential Growth & Decay
- Converting Fractions
- Decimals & Percentages
- Recurring Decimals
- Ordering Fractions
- Decimals & Percentages
- Simplifying Surds
- Rationalising Denominators
What is Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher (1MA1)?
In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) at Higher tier, for students aiming for grades 4 to 9. A verified maths tutor follows the Edexcel specification and past papers and targets the problem-solving questions that decide grades 7, 8 and 9.
Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Higher tier gives access to grades 9 to 4. It is assessed by three 1 hour 30 minute papers, each worth 80 marks: Paper 1 is non-calculator and Papers 2 and 3 are calculator papers.
This course covers the full Higher content one to one with a verified maths tutor, focusing on the topics and question types that will lift your grade.
Official specification: Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1).
For wider support, see our maths tutoring page, or the AQA GCSE Maths Higher course if your school follows AQA.
How is Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher assessed?
GCSE Maths is assessed by three written papers taken at the end of the course, each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 80 marks and a third of the GCSE. Paper 1 is non-calculator, and Papers 2 and 3 allow a calculator. Any topic can appear on any paper.
| Paper | Calculator | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Non-calculator | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 2 | Calculator | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 3 | Calculator | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
How should you plan your GCSE Maths revision?
A good revision plan moves from finding gaps, to fixing them, to timed practice. Here is an illustrative 8-week plan before the exams that tutors adapt to your mocks, school calendar and Higher-tier target.
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic paper to find weak topics |
| 2–3 | Reteach the weakest topics with worked examples |
| 4–5 | Mixed practice by content area, including non-calculator skills |
| 6 | Full timed paper 1 (non-calculator), then review |
| 7 | Full timed papers 2 and 3 (calculator), then review |
| 8 | Final gaps, formulae and exam-day routine |
Content areas covered
| Area | Key topics |
|---|---|
| Number | Fractions, decimals, percentages, powers, standard form, surds, bounds |
| Algebra | Expressions, equations, sequences, graphs, quadratics, functions, proof |
| Ratio and proportion | Ratio, percentage change, direct and inverse proportion, growth and decay |
| Geometry and measures | Angles, area, volume, Pythagoras, trigonometry, circle theorems, vectors |
| Probability | Outcomes, tree diagrams, conditional probability |
| Statistics | Averages, charts, histograms, cumulative frequency |
What are the assessment objectives for Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher?
At Higher tier, the assessment objectives are weighted 40% using standard techniques (AO1), 30% reasoning, interpreting and communicating (AO2) and 30% solving problems (AO3). Over half the marks need more than routine methods.
| Objective | What it tests | Higher-tier weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Use and apply standard techniques | 40% |
| AO2 | Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically | 30% |
| AO3 | Solve problems in mathematical and other contexts | 30% |
What does a grade 8 or 9 question look like?
Here is a typical higher-grade surds question: simplify 6 ÷ √3, giving your answer in its simplest surd form.
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Rationalise the denominator | Multiply top and bottom by √3: (6 × √3) ÷ (√3 × √3) |
| Simplify the denominator | √3 × √3 = 3, giving 6√3 ÷ 3 |
| Simplify | 6√3 ÷ 3 = 2√3 |
| Check | 2√3 ≈ 3.46 and 6 ÷ √3 ≈ 3.46 ✓ |
Where do students lose marks in Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher?
Higher-tier students most often lose marks by skipping working, rounding too early, ignoring instructions such as "give your answer in surd form", making algebra sign errors and leaving out the final conclusion in problem-solving questions.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| No working shown | Write every step to earn method marks |
| Rounding too early | Keep full accuracy until the end |
| Ignoring the required form | Answer exactly as asked, such as surd form |
| Algebra sign errors | Use brackets with negatives |
| No final conclusion | State the answer to the question |
| Weak on proof and vectors | Practise these Higher topics regularly |
How to reach grade 8 or 9
The top grades need accuracy on routine questions plus confidence with multi-step problems. Tutors practise the hardest question types (proof, vectors, circle theorems, functions and iteration) and teach you to break unfamiliar problems into steps.
Exam technique and past papers
Tutors use Edexcel past papers and mark schemes, teach how method and accuracy marks are awarded, and help you manage time on each paper. Showing full working earns method marks even when the final answer is wrong.
How the lessons work
Lessons are live and one to one on video with a shared whiteboard. Your tutor finds the gaps, plans around them, and sets and marks practice between sessions against the Edexcel mark scheme. For specific questions, try maths homework help or see our Mathematics subject page.
GCSE higher maths tutor online: who this Edexcel course is for, prerequisites and study plan
A GCSE higher maths tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on the Edexcel 1MA1 Higher content, focusing on the algebra and problem solving that decide the top grades.
This course suits Year 10 and Year 11 students on Higher tier, and students aiming for a grade 7 to 9.
Prerequisites: confident arithmetic, fractions, percentages, algebra and basic trigonometry.
Course length: 50 one-hour lessons across 6 content areas.
| Stage | Topics | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number; algebra | Work with surds, quadratics and algebraic proof |
| 2 | Ratio, proportion and rates of change | Solve direct and inverse proportion problems |
| 3 | Geometry and measures | Use circle theorems, vectors and trigonometry |
| 4 | Probability; statistics | Use tree diagrams, histograms and conditional probability |
Where it leads: see the Edexcel GCSE Maths Foundation course, or AQA Level 2 Further Maths for extension.
Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher (1MA1): frequently asked questions
What is the Edexcel GCSE Maths specification code?
The specification code is 1MA1.
How many papers are in Edexcel GCSE Maths?
Three papers, each 1 hour 30 minutes. One is non-calculator and two are calculator papers.
What grades can I get on Higher tier?
Higher tier gives access to grades 9 to 4.
Should I do Higher or Foundation?
Higher suits students aiming for grades 6 to 9. If you're aiming for a 4 or 5, Foundation may suit you better; your teacher usually decides.
Is there a formula sheet in GCSE Maths?
Recent exam series have provided a formulae sheet, but check the arrangements for your exam year.
How can I improve quickly in GCSE Maths?
Secure the topics that come up every year, show full working and practise timed past papers, reviewing every mistake.
Can a tutor help with the non-calculator paper?
Yes. Tutors build fluency with fractions, percentages, powers and algebra so you can work accurately without a calculator.
Do you help with GCSE Maths resits?
Yes. Tutors target the topics and question types that will lift your grade fastest.
How much does a GCSE maths tutor cost?
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Do you cover AQA and OCR as well?
Yes. We have GCSE Maths courses for AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
How many marks do I need for a grade 7 on Higher tier?
Pearson publishes new grade boundaries after every exam series. On Higher tier a grade 7 has often needed roughly half of the 240 marks and a grade 9 around three-quarters, but this varies from year to year. Use recent boundaries as a guide; your tutor marks timed papers against them so you can track progress.
What are the Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher grade boundaries?
Pearson publishes grade boundaries for Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher after each exam series, and they change from year to year with paper difficulty. They show the raw marks needed for each grade. Your tutor marks full past papers and compares your scores with recent boundaries to estimate your grade and target the topics that matter most.
What are the Higher-tier assessment objectives?
AO1 standard techniques (40%), AO2 reasoning and communicating (30%) and AO3 problem solving (30%).
How do I rationalise a denominator?
Multiply the top and bottom of the fraction by the surd in the denominator, then simplify. For example, 6 ÷ √3 = 2√3.
What are the hardest Higher-tier topics?
Students often find proof, vectors, circle theorems, functions, iteration and conditional probability hardest.
How can I get a grade 9?
Secure every topic, practise the hardest problem-solving questions, show full working and review every lost mark on timed papers.
Where can I find Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher past papers?
Pearson publishes recent Edexcel GCSE Maths Higher past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports on its website, and schools can access more through their secure portals. Use them under timed conditions, then mark your answers carefully with the mark scheme. Your tutor sets past-paper questions topic by topic, then full timed papers closer to your exam.
Do you offer lessons in my time zone?
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone and school week.
Where can I find the Edexcel GCSE Maths specification?
Pearson publishes the Edexcel GCSE Maths specification on its website. It lists the topics, the skills you are assessed on and the structure of each paper, so use the current version for your exam year. Your tutor uses it to check that your revision covers exactly what you can be asked.
Can I book a single lesson first?
Yes. You can book one session to see if the tutor suits you, with no subscription.
Can I get a GCSE higher maths tutor online?
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 GCSE higher maths tutor online through live video lessons. Your tutor finds where you lose marks, teaches harder topics step by step, and practises the multi-step problems that decide grades 7 to 9 using past papers.
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