IGCSE past papers: where to find official Cambridge and Edexcel papers

Key takeaways

• →Cambridge puts a selection of papers on each syllabus’s past papers page. In November 2026 the maths, sciences and English pages showed the June 2024 papers, mark schemes and examiner report, plus specimen papers.
• →Registered Cambridge schools get many more papers through the School Support Hub, so ask your child’s teacher for other years.
• →Pearson’s past paper search is free to students, but papers with a padlock, from roughly the last year, are for teachers only, so schools can use them as mocks.
• →Check the syllabus code first, for example 0580 or 4MA1 for maths. Then sit the paper to time, mark it with the mark scheme and read the examiner report.

1. Two boards, two places to look

Most British-curriculum schools abroad sit their IGCSEs with one of two boards: Cambridge International (Cambridge IGCSE) or Pearson Edexcel (International GCSE). Each board publishes its own past papers on its own website, free of charge.^[1]

Check which board and syllabus your child sits for each subject before you download anything. Schools can mix boards, for example Cambridge for the sciences and Edexcel for maths.

Many other websites copy these papers. The board’s own site is the one to trust, because you know the paper, mark schemeThe board’s guide to the answers it accepts and how many marks each one earns. and syllabus all match.

2. Cambridge IGCSE past papers

Every Cambridge IGCSE syllabus has its own page on cambridgeinternational.org with a past papers tab. On 15 November 2026 the Mathematics (0580) page showed the June 2024 question papers 11, 21, 31 and 41, a mark scheme for each, the June 2024 examiner reportThe board’s comments on how students did on a paper, including common mistakes. and the 2025 specimen papersSample papers a board writes for a new or changed syllabus, before real past papers exist..^[1]

The page says plainly: “This is only a selection of our papers.” It adds that registered Cambridge schools can use a wider range of materials on the School Support HubCambridge’s secure website for registered schools, with more papers and teaching materials., which is where teachers find other years.^[1]

The science pages follow the same pattern. Physics (0625), Chemistry (0620) and Biology (0610) each showed June 2024 papers 11 to 61 with mark schemes, the confidential instructions for the practical paper and the 2023 specimen papers.^[2]

English – First Language (0500) showed June 2024 Papers 11 and 21, each with its mark scheme and insertA separate booklet given with a paper, such as the reading texts for an English exam. (the reading texts). It also has 2027 specimen papers, because the syllabus changes for exams from 2027.^[5]

3. Edexcel International GCSE past papers

Pearson keeps all its papers in one past paper search on qualifications.pearson.com. You choose the qualification family, then the subject, then the exam series, and you can download a whole series as one zip file.^[6]

Pearson says papers are free to teachers and students, but “only teachers can access the most recent papers”. Papers with a padlock are not available to students; Pearson keeps them back so teachers can use them for mock examsPractice exams that schools set before the real ones, often using recent past papers.. The page gives this as both nine and 12 months, so expect roughly the last year to be locked.^[6]

Examiners’ reports are public too. For example, Pearson’s June 2025 report on International GCSE Physics Paper 1P is free to download.^[9]

Watch the code. Maths A is 4MA1: two 2-hour papers of 100 marks each, calculator allowed in both, at FoundationThe easier tier of an exam, with a lower top grade (grade 5 for Edexcel maths). (grades 5 to 1) or Higher (grades 9 to 4, with grade 3 allowed).^[7]

Pearson also runs a newer modular Maths A, coded 4XMA1, taught from 2024 with exams from 2025 and only for schools outside the UK. Its papers are different, so check which route your child’s school uses.^[8]

4. How to use a past paper well

A past paper is worth most when it is sat like the real thing. In a well-known study, students who tested themselves remembered 61% of a passage a week later; students who reread it remembered 40%.^[10]

Then mark it with the board’s mark scheme, and read the examiner report for the same paper. Reports name the mistakes many students made. In the June 2025 Physics 1P report, the examiner noted: “It is a common misconception that red is hot and blue is cold.”^[9]

English reports give practical advice too. Pearson’s June 2025 English Language A Paper 1 report tells candidates to “Check line references carefully.”^[11]

Our guide to timing a past paper shows how to set a pace for each mark. Redo every question where marks were lost, then try the same topic again a week later.

Want help with IGCSE past papers?: Our UK-based teachers know Cambridge and Edexcel papers and mark them against the real mark schemes, live online. Families abroad book lessons after school in their own time zone. Book a free assessment.

1. 1. Where are official Cambridge IGCSE past papers?

   Show answer

2. 2. Why can’t students download the newest Edexcel papers?

   Show answer

3. 3. What should you read after marking a paper?

   Show answer

Your next steps

1. 01

   Find the board and syllabus code for each of your child’s IGCSE subjects.

2. 02

   Download one official paper and its mark scheme.

3. 03

   Sit it to time this week, then read the examiner report.