GCSE maths exam good practises

We take an in-depth look at how to revise and pass GCSE maths exams. The guide takes you through 5 steps - how to use past TEST and EXAM papers to actually sit the exam.

Here we summarise what the GCSE examiners expect of you. Click on the link for more information on How to Study and Pass GCSE Maths Exam.

Good practises when doing GCSE maths exam

Skim through the exam papers from the cover page to the last page and every other page in between.

The marks next to the question give you an idea of how many steps are required in the solution. Where there are 3 marks, show all the working out.

• Cross out any mistake neatly.
• Include the units where required.
• Check the time every 20 or 30 minutes.
• Work through the easy questions, do not spend too much time on the hard question.
• Check that your answers are reasonable. If you work out the value of x, make a substitution to confirm the value is right.
• If you have time in the end, come back to the hard question and attempt it.
• Check and double-check every question in case you missed any before handing in your maths exam paper.

Click on the image to learn how to solve quadratic equations by factorising

 

What exam markers are looking for

A clear and logical flow of work is an important factor as far as marking exam papers are concerned. Remember examiners are marking thousands of questions.

So, if your work is clear, logical and reasonable, the markers will have fun marking them. That means that you are likely to get full marks.

• Show the right answer clearly.
• Draw neat graphs and label them accurately.
• You must strive to do the following when answering the GCSE maths exam questions.
• Set out your work so that it is logically so that it is easy to follow and understand.

Download GCSE Maths past papers

You can download the past GCSE exam papers online. Here are some websites that many students prefer to use.

• Maths Genie
• Maths Watch
• Dr Frost maths
• Cobette Maths
• GCSE maths in four weeks

Stationery items you will need for exams are available here: GCSE maths stationery items

Conclusion (Pass GCSE maths exams)

Show your working out clearly and logically. Where there are 3 or more marks, do not only write the answer.

120 000 Grade 8, 59 000 Grade 10 and 23 200 Grade 12 students To Sit Examinations in 2015

More than 59,000 Grade 10 students in 256 schools will sit for their weeklong School Certificate Examination (SCE) from next week, an official says.

Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said: “We have reduced the national examined subjects from 12 to seven as of this year.

“The other subjects will still be assessed and results will be based on the internal assessment.”

He said the subjects examined are English, mathematics, social science, science, personal development and two optional subjects.

The examinations will be conducted from Oct 12 to 16.

Kombra said preparations for Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations were well underway.

Grade 10 SEC papers are currently being dispatched to the provinces.

“All provincial education advisers and examination supervisors are urged to ensure that the examination papers are well secured before they are dispatched to the respective schools.

A total of 23,200 Grade 12 students from 146 secondary schools will be sitting for their Higher School Certificate Examinations (HSCE) from Oct 19-30.

“About 120,000 Grade 8 students from 2,663 schools will sit for the Certificate of Basic Education Examinations (COBE) from Nov 2-5.”

Kombra appealed to everyone to support fair conduct of exams and to report any malpractice to school administrations, provincial and national authorities or Police for appropriate action.

“There are strategies already in place to minimise and avoid cheating in schools.

Source: The National, Tuesday October 6th, 2015 || By SHEILA MALKEN

Using Quadratic Formula To Solve Quadratic Equations - Part (III)

*The Quadratic Formula can be used to solve any Quadratic equation. But, students must know how to use it; they must know values of a, b, & c; know their directed numbers; and know how to simplify surds.

How to Solve Problems involving Fractional Powers

Fractional powers appear past GCSE maths papers. To get the questions right, you must know how to use the Index Law, Surds and rules for solving the algebraic problems. 

This may sound overwhelming, but it is not that hard. See the illustrations (x3 questions) below.

How to Solve Fractional Powers Using Index Laws & Surds

If you need more illustrations like these, check out the free maths resources here.

Let’s have a look at 3 Higher Maths Exam Questions

Top tip:

All you need to do is to pull apart the powers and simplify them.

Check out the past maths questions & study guides here.

Download GCSE Maths past papers

You can download the past GCSE exam papers online. Here are some websites that many students prefer to use.

• Maths Genie
• Maths Watch
• Dr Frost maths
• Cobette Maths
• GCSE maths in four weeks

Stationery items you will need for exams are available here: GCSE maths stationery items

Show your working out clearly and logically. Where there are 3 or more marks, do not only write the answer.

Algebra II - Higher Order Questions Sorted by Topic

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GCSE Maths 2022 Edexcel Foundation Paper 1 Set Non-calculator

The GCSE maths contents are organised into topics. Teachers set our the termly programs and teach them by topics too. 

So, you should also use the maths questions by topics when revising for the maths exams. Here are some ways to organise your revision notes by topics. More details here, but here is a brief outline.

Here are some GCSE maths tips for acing your exams.

How to organise your GCSE maths revision notes by topics?

The GCSE maths school syllabus has all the outlines that schools/teachers follow when teaching the content. 

All the content should be covered before the exams, but the maths syllabus has lots of things in it. You can be lost in it.

Some suggestions to organise study notes:

Year 7 - 10 Maths Exercise Books

Your exercise books are the best places to find the topics you learn in class. Teachers teach the topics in sequences, so your books will already have the topics in order.

Maths Past Test Papers

The end-of-the-term test papers are fantastic materials to use when looking for maths questions. They are summaries of what you've learnt, condensed.

Maths teachers help

Your maths teacher is the best person to get advice from. S/he knows you well enough to suggest areas you need to improve on. Alternatively, look back at your school report. 

Study group

Take time to have conversations about maths problems and topics that you think you need help with. Talk with friends and family about things that you are struggling with.

Private GCSE maths tuition near you

If you need extra help, get an online/local maths tutor to help you with maths problems.

Download GCSE Maths Questions

There are four GCSE exam boards where you can get the maths past paper Pdf for free AQA, Edexcel, SQA and OCR.

The exam boards also provide the marking schemes, examiner reports, and practice materials.

Check out the resources here for more information on GCSE maths exams, study guides and past papers.

Exam Questions: Solving Quadratics Equations

If this PDF file does not open, click on 'Open in new window' arrow. (Here ▼)

Introduction to Algebra

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GCSE Basic Algebra Questions and Study Guides 2022 Exams

There are four basic parts in GCSE algebra that you should know when revising for the maths papers. They are:

• 1. Substituting
• 2. Expanding
• 3. Factorising
• 4. Solving

GCSE Algebra Questions

Algebra is often regarded by both students and teachers as a tough topic to learn or teach. 

Yet, you will do well if master the four skills. The skills are the same in primary (Years 5, 6, 8) and secondary (Years9, 10, 11, 12).

Basic Algebra Questions

Below you'll find some basic algebra questions (and solutions) addressing the four skills. The questions were adapted from the UK GCSE maths exam papers.

SEE MORE ON GRADE 10 EXAM QUESTIONS HERE

1. Substitution

a. Write down the value of abc when a = 10, b = 2 and c = 0

The answer is 0 (but, many students will write 20) ……………..1 mark

Maths knowledge: any number multiplied by 0 is 0

b. Work out the value of 1/2x - 3y when x= 10 and y= 2

 5 - 6 = - 1 (many students write 1 instead)

Concept tested: Addition and subtraction of -ve and +ve numbers. (Reinforce the differences between 6 - 5 and 5 -6 or ask students to think about the number line, starting at 5 and moving left 6 places)

2 marks

c. Find the value of 3x + 2y when x = 4 and y = 5

 12 - 10 = 2

2 marks

2. Expanding Brackets (note that expanding and factorising are opposites)

 Expand the following expressions

a. 3(2y – 5) =    ……………..1 mark

 6y - 15 ( many student forget to do 3 x - 15)

b. 4(2m + 3n) =    ……………..1 mark

8m + 12n

c. x(x – 10) =    ……………..1 mark

 x^2 - 10x

3. Factorising

Factorise the following expressions  (note that expanding and factorising are opposites)

a. 2a + 10 =                                                   ……………..1 mark

Highest Common Factor (HCF) of 2a and 10 is 2

2(a + 10)

b. 4 + 6x =                                                      ……………..1 mark

HCF = 2

2(2 + 3x)

c. 3x – 9=                                                        ……………..1 mark

3 (x - 3)

d. 2x^2  + 4x

 HCF = 2x

2x (x + 2)

2 marks

4. Solving equation

Solve the following equations to find the value of x

a. 4x = 20                                                       ……………..1 mark

x = 5

b. 3x - 7 = 8                                                   ……………..1 mark

 3x = 8 + 7 ( it is important to get the order 8 + 7 right and not 7 + 8: even the answer is same, the answer may not be the same when - ing, see the example below)

3x = 15

  x = 5

c. 8(x + 12) = 100

 8x + 96 = 100 ..................Expand the brackets

8x = 100 - 96................... (subtract 96 on both sides (remember balancing equations?)

x = 4/8 (Why divide by 8? In order to find the value of x, you must divide LHS and RHS by 8)

x = 1/2 (or 0.5)

2 marks

Check out past algebra questions and maths resources here.

GCSE Foundation Maths Algebra Questions

Solve the following to find the value of y

a. y/3 = 9                         ……………..1 mark

   y = 27 .............multiply 3 x 9 ( now, this is important as you can use this to solve complex equations that have a divisor)

b.  2y/5 = 4                               ……………..1 mark

2y = 20.......... ( 20 = 5 x 4)
y = 10

c.  2y + 3 / 2 = 5

 2y + 3 = 10.......... ( 10 = 2 x 5)

2y = 10 - 3 ...........( subtracting 3 on both sides of the equation)

2y = 7

y = 7/2

y = 3.5

2 marks

Where to get GCSE Maths Questions?

There are four GCSE exam boards where you can get the maths past paper Pdf for free AQA, Edexcel, SQA and OCR.

The exam boards also provide the marking schemes, examiner reports, and practice materials.

Check out the resources here for more information on GCSE maths exams, study guides and past papers.