In Pearson Edexcel International GCSE, the tier decision applies only to Mathematics A (4MA1). Foundation offers grades 5–1; Higher offers 9–4, with grade 3 allowed, and a U below that. In June 2026, grade 4 needed 125/200 on Foundation but 41/200 on Higher. Schools should therefore choose Higher for any student who might reach grade 5, using full-paper mock data.
Which Edexcel International GCSE subjects are tiered?
Only Mathematics A. Pearson’s International GCSE Information Manual 2026/27 lists Foundation and Higher entries for Mathematics A alone. Other subjects are single-tier.
| Subject | Tiering | Grades available |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics A 4MA1 (linear) | Foundation (Papers 1F, 2F) or Higher (1H, 2H), each paper 100 marks, 2 hours | Foundation 5–1; Higher 9–4, grade 3 allowed |
| Mathematics A modular (4XMAF / 4XMAH) | Foundation units or Higher units | Foundation 5–1; Higher 9–4 plus 3 |
| Mathematics B 4MB1 | ”Available at Higher Tier only” | 9–3 |
| Further Pure Mathematics 4PM1 | ”Higher Tier only” | 9–3 |
| English as a Second Language | ”Single tier covering the whole range of grades 9 to 1” | 9–1 |
| Biology 4BI1, Chemistry 4CH1, Physics 4PH1 | ”Untiered, written examinations” | 9–1 |
Sources: 4MA1 specification, 4MB1, 4PM1, 4BI1.
This is a big difference from Cambridge IGCSE, where Mathematics and the sciences are all tiered. For Cambridge, see IGCSE Core vs Extended.
What grades can each 4MA1 tier achieve?
The specification is explicit: “For Foundation Tier grades 5–1 are available, and for Higher Tier grades 9–4 are available (grade 3 allowed).” Students below the minimum “will receive an unclassified U result”. The two tiers overlap at grades 5, 4 and 3. Pearson notes that “approximately 40% of common questions targeted at grades 5 and 4 appear across” both papers.
What do the June 2026 grade boundaries show?
That the same grade demands very different raw marks on each tier. Out of 200, from Pearson’s June 2026 International GCSE grade boundaries:
| 4MA1 (Papers 1 and 2) | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Grade 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation (1F/2F) | 148 | 125 | 90 | 56 | 22 |
| Higher (1H/2H) | 64 | 41 | 29 | — | — |
On Higher, grade 6 needed 87, grade 7 needed 111 and grade 9 needed 165. A grade 4 took 62.5% of the marks on Foundation and 20.5% on Higher, because Higher questions are harder. The table also shows the risk. A Higher candidate who scores below 29 has no grade to fall back on, while the same student on Foundation could still earn grade 1 or 2. Boundaries change every series, so use them as a guide to relative position, not as fixed targets.
How should schools choose Foundation or Higher?
Decide from full mock papers of each tier, then sort students into three groups.
- Secure Higher: comfortably above the grade 4 region on a full Higher mock. Enter for Higher, because Foundation caps them at 5.
- Secure Foundation: a Higher mock result near or below the grade 3 mark, and grade 4 or below on Foundation papers. Foundation protects them from a U.
- Borderline: around grade 4 on Higher, or a strong grade 5 on Foundation. The deciding question is whether the student needs a grade 6 or above, for example for an A Level in mathematics. If so, Higher is the only route.
Mock marks should be converted with the boundaries for the same past series. Our guide to setting grade boundaries for mock exams explains the method, and a question-level analysis shows whether a borderline student is losing marks on Higher-only content or on technique.
When must the tier be decided?
Before the entry deadline, and at the latest before amendment fees start. From Pearson’s key dates 2026/27:
| Series | Entry deadline | Amendment and high late fees from |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 12 September 2026 | 10 October 2026 |
| June 2027 | 21 March 2027 | 22 April 2027 |
Pearson says: “Amendment fees will be charged if you change a subject/unit option or tier from the high late fee date”. Amendment fees are “usually double the cost of a unit or subject entry fee”. For a June 2027 cohort, a January or February mock gives time to decide before 21 March. See the mock exam calendar.
How does tiering work in modular Mathematics A?
By unit. The Foundation qualification 4XMAF is built from Foundation units (4WM1F and 4WM2F), and the Higher qualification 4XMAH from Higher units (4WM1H and 4WM2H). A school planning a modular route should therefore choose the tier before the first unit is sat, not at the end.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
AI Buddy lets departments run full Foundation and Higher 4MA1 mocks from past-paper-style questions, marked instantly. Cohort analytics then place every student against both tiers and show which topics are costing the borderline group marks. Heads of department can take a ranked borderline list, with evidence, into the entries meeting before the Pearson deadline. The tier decision stays with the department.
Frequently asked questions
Which International GCSE subjects have tiers?
Only Mathematics A (4MA1 and its modular version). Mathematics B and Further Pure Mathematics are Higher tier only; the sciences and English as a Second Language are single-tier.
What grades can you get on Edexcel IGCSE Higher tier?
Grades 9 to 4, with grade 3 allowed. A result below grade 3 is unclassified (U).
What is the highest grade on Foundation tier?
Grade 5. Students who need grade 6 or above must be entered for Higher.
Can a school change a student’s tier after entries close?
Yes, but Pearson charges amendment fees from the high late fee date, usually double the entry fee.
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Sources
- Pearson, International GCSE Information Manual 2026/27
- Pearson, International GCSE Mathematics A specification
- Pearson, Grade boundaries June 2026: International GCSE
- Pearson, Key dates 2026/27
- Pearson specifications for Mathematics B, Further Pure Mathematics and Biology