GCSE Maths
GCSE Maths is a tiered subject assessed across three papers. Most students sit either Foundation tier (grades 1–5) or Higher tier (grades 4–9). All major UK boards follow a broadly similar specification rooted in the DfE subject content.
Overview
GCSE Mathematics is one of the core subjects every UK student sits at age 16. The qualification is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Eduqas, and each board publishes its own specification — but all four are constrained by the DfE's national subject content for GCSE Maths, so the underlying topics are the same.
The exam is tiered: Foundation papers target grades 1–5, Higher papers target grades 4–9, and students sit one tier across all three papers. The choice of tier is normally made by the school based on mock results and predicted grades.
Calculator use is split. One of the three papers is non-calculator; the other two allow scientific calculators. Formulae are partly provided in a sheet at the front of each paper, but a substantial set must be memorised.
Topics covered
Number
Place value, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, powers, surds, standard form, error bounds.
Algebra
Manipulation, factorising, equations and inequalities, sequences, functions, graphs (linear, quadratic, cubic, reciprocal, exponential, trigonometric).
Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Ratio, direct and inverse proportion, compound measures, growth and decay, kinematics.
Geometry and measures
Properties of shapes, congruence and similarity, transformations, mensuration, vectors, trigonometry, circle theorems (Higher).
Probability
Sample space, tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, conditional probability.
Statistics
Data collection and representation, averages and spread, cumulative frequency and box plots, scatter graphs.
Paper structure
| Paper | Duration | Weighting | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1h 30m | 33.3% | Non-calculator. All topics. Marked out of 80. |
| Paper 2 | 1h 30m | 33.3% | Calculator allowed. All topics. Marked out of 80. |
| Paper 3 | 1h 30m | 33.3% | Calculator allowed. All topics. Marked out of 80. |
Paper structure varies slightly by exam board — see the board pages for specifics.
Assessment objectives
| AO | What it tests | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Use and apply standard techniques | 40% (Foundation) / 40% (Higher) |
| AO2 | Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically | 30% (Foundation) / 30% (Higher) |
| AO3 | Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts | 30% (Foundation) / 30% (Higher) |
FAQ
- How many papers are there for GCSE Maths?
- All major boards use a three-paper structure for GCSE Maths. One paper is non-calculator and two allow calculators. Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes and worth a third of the total mark.
- What's the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?
- Foundation tier targets grades 1–5. Higher tier targets grades 4–9. Students must sit the same tier across all three papers. Foundation is usually recommended for students predicted grade 5 or below; Higher for grade 5 or above.
- Is GCSE Maths the same across exam boards?
- The underlying subject content is set by the DfE, so all boards cover the same topics. The differences are mostly in question style, mark scheme wording, and the formulae sheet — AQA and Edexcel are the most popular, but OCR and WJEC Eduqas follow the same skeleton.
- Which formulae do I need to memorise?
- A short formulae sheet is provided at the front of the paper. Trigonometry, area of common shapes, kinematics equations and Pythagoras are typically given. The quadratic formula, sphere/cone formulae and most algebraic identities must be memorised.
- Can I use any calculator?
- Any standard scientific calculator is allowed on Papers 2 and 3. Graphical calculators are also allowed but rarely necessary. Calculators with symbolic algebra (CAS), wireless connectivity or extensive built-in formulae are not allowed.
- How does Revisio help with GCSE Maths?
- Revisio runs a diagnostic across the six topic areas, builds a study plan that prioritises your weakest areas by mark-value, and provides AI-marked practice on every topic. Mock exam papers are tier-appropriate and produce a predicted grade.