Exam boards
Spec codes, paper structures and grading, taken from the awarding bodies themselves.
The short answer
Seven mathematics qualifications, each set out from its official specification: the papers, their length and marks, which allows a calculator, the tier grade ranges and how the final grade is formed. Every figure is cited to the awarding body that publishes it.
- Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1)Pearson EdexcelThree papers of 1 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks each, Paper 1 non-calculator. Foundation awards grades 1–5, Higher 4–9. What the Edexcel 1MA1 specification actually requires.
- AQA GCSE Mathematics (8300)AQAThree papers of 1 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks each, Paper 1 non-calculator. Foundation awards grades 1–5, Higher 4–9. What the AQA 8300 specification requires.
- Cambridge OCR GCSE Mathematics (J560)Cambridge OCRJ560 sets six papers — three per tier, 100 marks each — and the non-calculator paper is Paper 2 at Foundation and Paper 5 at Higher, not Paper 1. What that changes for revision.
- Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)Cambridge InternationalCore sits Papers 1 and 3 for grades C–G; Extended sits Papers 2 and 4 for A*–E. Since 2025 each route has a dedicated non-calculator paper. What 0580 actually requires.
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Mathematics (0980)Cambridge International0980 sets the same papers as 0580 but grades 9–1 instead of A*–G. Core is graded 5–1, Extended 9–3. What changes for entry, targets and university applications.
- Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607)Cambridge International0607 sets three components per route, requires a graphic display calculator, and includes a dedicated investigation paper worth 20%. How it differs from 0580.
- The Digital SATCollege BoardTwo adaptive sections, 2 hours 14 minutes, scored 400–1600. Reading and Writing runs 2×32 minutes, Math 2×35 minutes with a calculator throughout. How the adaptive stage works.