The Most-Tested Topics in IGCSE Maths A (Edexcel) (CIE 4MA1)
Every 4MA1 past-paper question, tagged to its syllabus topic — ranked by how often each is tested (2018–2022).
Foundation tier (Papers 1F / 2F)
35 papers analysed · top 15 of 36 topics
| # | Topic | % of tier's questions | Questions | Avg marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percentages | 8.9% | 77 | 4.7 |
| 2 | Ratio and proportion | 7.8% | 67 | 4.2 |
| 3 | Linear equations | 7.8% | 67 | 5.1 |
| 4 | Algebraic manipulation | 7.6% | 66 | 5.5 |
| 5 | Integers | 6.8% | 59 | 4.3 |
| 6 | Fractions | 6.8% | 59 | 4.5 |
| 7 | Probability | 6.7% | 58 | 4 |
| 8 | Measures | 6.2% | 54 | 4.1 |
| 9 | Graphical representation of data | 6.2% | 54 | 4.7 |
| 10 | Statistical measures | 6.2% | 54 | 4.1 |
| 11 | Powers and roots | 6% | 52 | 4.7 |
| 12 | Mensuration of 2D shapes | 5.9% | 51 | 3.9 |
| 13 | Expressions and formulae | 5.8% | 50 | 5.6 |
| 14 | Graphs | 5.4% | 47 | 4 |
| 15 | Degree of accuracy | 4.6% | 40 | 4.1 |
Higher tier (Papers 1H / 2H)
36 papers analysed · top 15 of 36 topics
| # | Topic | % of tier's questions | Questions | Avg marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algebraic manipulation | 9.1% | 77 | 5.2 |
| 2 | Powers and roots | 7.9% | 67 | 4.7 |
| 3 | Probability | 7.3% | 62 | 5 |
| 4 | Statistical measures | 7.2% | 61 | 4.4 |
| 5 | Trigonometry and Pythagoras' theorem | 6.5% | 55 | 4.4 |
| 6 | Quadratic equations | 5.9% | 50 | 5.4 |
| 7 | Graphs | 5.6% | 47 | 4.3 |
| 8 | Mensuration of 2D shapes | 5.4% | 46 | 4.5 |
| 9 | Percentages | 5% | 42 | 4.5 |
| 10 | 3D shapes and volume | 4.3% | 36 | 4.4 |
| 11 | Graphical representation of data | 4.3% | 36 | 5.1 |
| 12 | Linear equations | 4% | 34 | 5.9 |
| 13 | Inequalities | 4% | 34 | 4.6 |
| 14 | Ratio and proportion | 3.6% | 30 | 3.6 |
| 15 | Circle properties | 3.6% | 30 | 4.1 |
How this was measured
Based on OwlsPrep's database of official CIE 4MA1 past papers (2018–2022), 1709 questions each tagged to its syllabus topic. Topics are grouped by paper tier; “% of tier's questions” = the share of that tier's tagged questions testing the topic. Because one question can test several topics, shares do not sum to 100%. Figures are aggregate statistics from question metadata — no exam questions or mark schemes are reproduced.
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