How to Revise GCSE Mathematics

Master GCSE Maths with adaptive practice covering algebra, geometry, statistics, and more. AI-powered questions that adapt to your level.

Revision Strategy

Revising Mathematics effectively comes down to active problem-solving rather than passive reading. Simply re-reading notes or watching worked examples gives you a false sense of confidence. Instead, attempt questions from scratch, check your answers, and then carefully work through any mistakes. This cycle of attempt, check, and correct is what builds genuine mathematical fluency.

Focus on building strong foundations before tackling harder material. If you are struggling with a complex topic, it is almost always because an earlier concept is not secure. For example, confidence with algebraic manipulation is essential before you can handle simultaneous equations or calculus. Identify the prerequisite skills for any topic you find difficult and shore those up first.

Practise under timed conditions regularly. Mathematics exams reward speed as well as accuracy, and many students who understand the material still run out of time because they have not practised working efficiently. Set yourself mini-tests of five or ten questions and aim to complete them within a set time, gradually reducing the allowance as you improve.

Study Tips for GCSE Mathematics

✓ Always show your working, even when you can do the calculation in your head — marks are awarded for method, and partial credit can rescue a question where you make a small slip.
✓ Practise past papers under timed conditions. The jump from understanding a method to applying it under pressure is significant, and familiarity with question styles makes a real difference.
✓ Keep a dedicated error log: every time you get a question wrong, write down what went wrong and rework the problem. Review this log weekly to stop repeating the same mistakes.
✓ For algebra, get comfortable rearranging formulae and solving equations by practising at least five equations every day in the weeks before your exam.

Exam Tips for GCSE Mathematics

✓ On the non-calculator paper, write out every step of your arithmetic clearly. If your final answer is wrong but your method is correct, you can still pick up most of the marks.
✓ Read the question carefully and check what form the answer should be in — many students lose marks by giving a decimal when a fraction is required, or forgetting to round to the specified number of significant figures.
✓ If you get stuck on a question, move on and come back to it. The marks are not always in order of difficulty, and spending too long on one problem can cost you easier marks later.

Topics to Cover

10 topics in GCSE Mathematics

Number

Algebra

Ratio & Proportion

Geometry & Measures

Probability

Statistics

Trigonometry

Graphs

Sequences

Vectors

Available Exam Boards

GCSE Mathematics specification guides for each exam board

AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC

Frequently Asked Questions

How many papers are in GCSE Maths? +

There are three papers: one non-calculator and two calculator papers. Each is 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 80 marks.

What grade do I need in GCSE Maths? +

Most sixth forms require at least a grade 4 (a standard pass) for further study. For A-Level Maths, most schools ask for a grade 7 or above.

What topics come up most in GCSE Maths? +

Algebra, ratio, and geometry questions appear heavily across all papers. Number and statistics are also well-represented, and problem-solving questions that blend multiple topics are common on Paper 2 and Paper 3.

Is GCSE Maths hard? +

It depends on the tier you are entered for. Foundation tier covers grades 1-5 and Higher tier covers grades 4-9. Many students find the Higher tier challenging but very manageable with consistent practice and a solid understanding of core methods.

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