MATHEMATICS-1MA1 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)
MATHEMATICS-1MA1/31
(Calculator)
Mathematics · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
2.2 / 5
240
270 min
Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
240
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
2.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level.
Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calculator)—candidates were tested on their mathematical fluency, problem-solving abilities, and geometric reasoning.
Overall, the papers maintained a fair but rigorous standard, transitioning smoothly from highly accessible introductory questions to challenging, multi-step problem-solving questions near the end of each paper.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
AO1 (
Weight: 4100%MathematicalAO2 (
Weight: 375%Reasoning, iAO3 (
Weight: 250%Solve Problems
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 85% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 73% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 20% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 13% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “out” questions.
Match the expected response style for “down” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Simplify” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Ratio, proportion and rates of change (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
66 marks this session
Number (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
57 marks this session
Algebra (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
39 marks this session
Geometry and measures (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
39 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Number (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
Ratio, proportion and rates of change (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
Geometry and measures (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
Algebra (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (Non-Calculator):
Paper 2 (Calculator):
Paper 3 (Calculator):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Ratio, proportion and rates of change (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
66 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNumber (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
57 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgebra (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
39 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGeometry and measures (Foundation tier knowledge, skills and understanding)
39 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level.
- 2Message
Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calculator)—candidates were tested on their mathematical fluency, problem-solving abilities, and geometric reasoning.
- 3Message
Overall, the papers maintained a fair but rigorous standard, transitioning smoothly from highly accessible introductory questions to challenging, multi-step problem-solving questions near the end of each paper.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Mathematics
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level. Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calc
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level.
Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calculator)—candidates were tested on their mathematical fluency, problem-solving abilities, and geometric reasoning.
Overall, the papers maintained a fair but rigorous standard, transitioning smoothly from highly accessible introductory questions to challenging, multi-step problem-solving questions near the end of each paper.
- Total marks
- 240
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 2.2 / 5
Session analysis
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level. Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calculator)—candidates were tested on their mathematical fluency, problem-solving abilities, and geometric reasoning. Overall, the papers maintained a fair but rigorous standard, transitioning smoothly from highly accessible introductory questions to challenging, multi-step problem-solving questions near the end of each paper.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (Non-Calculator):
Paper 2 (Calculator):
Paper 3 (Calculator):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
77% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Long/Multi-step
(4-5 marks)
90·19·38%
Medium Structured
(3 marks)
78·26·33%
Short Answer
(1-2 marks)
72·52·30%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (
0.50 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
0.97 m/minPaper 3 Section A (
0.97 m/minTotal marks
70
Total time
82 min
Avg pace
0.85
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Statistics (Pie charts, mean/median from grouped data)
5%5%
Geometry (Angle properties in polygons, transformations)
4%4%
Algebra (Simultaneous equations & Quadratic equations)
4%4%
Paper analysis
The Summer 2023 series of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) Foundation Tier provides a balanced assessment of the core mathematical principles required at this level. Across the three papers—consisting of Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator), and Paper 3 (Calculator)—candidates were tested on their mathematical fluency, problem-solving abilities, and geometric reasoning. Overall, the papers maintained a fair but rigorous standard, transitioning smoothly from highly accessible introductory questions to challenging, multi-step problem-solving questions near the end of each paper.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 33.33%
- Question types
- Short Answer, Structured Problem Solving, Multi-Step Application
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.