GCSE Maths Exam Format: What to Expect on the Day

Not knowing the GCSE Maths exam format can leave you feeling unprepared and anxious. You might be wondering how many papers you'll face, what you need to revise, or whether you'll have a calculator for every paper. 

This guide breaks down the GCSE Maths paper format for the three major exam boards. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect on exam day, so you can focus on showing what you’ve learned, rather than worrying about surprises.

Key Takeaways

• All students sit three papers: one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers, each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Foundation tier covers grades 1–5, Higher tier covers grades 4–9: choose the tier that matches your target grade.

• Questions test different skills: you'll need fluency (quick calculations), reasoning (explaining your method), and problem-solving (applying maths to real situations).

Overview of the GCSE Maths Exam

Every GCSE Maths student sits three separate papers. These papers are designed to test your mathematical skills across different topics and difficulty levels.

Two of these papers permit the use of calculators, whereas one is a non-calculator paper. The non-calculator paper tests mental arithmetic and your ability to solve problems without relying on the use of technology. Explore our article: How to Prepare for the GCSE Maths Non-calculator Paper to learn how to approach this exam. 

All three papers contribute equally to your final GCSE Maths grade, with each paper making up 33⅓% of your overall assessment.

GCSE Maths Exam Format by Exam Board

While all exam boards follow the same basic structure, there are some important differences in how they mark papers and present questions. Here’s a comparison:

Foundation vs Higher Tier: Key Differences

Choosing between Foundation and Higher tier is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

• Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5.

• Higher tier covers grades 4 to 9. 

If you take Foundation tier, the highest grade you can get is a grade 5.  If you take Higher tier, you can achieve up to grade 9 (the top grade), but the minimum passing grade is 4. There's a 'safety net' grade 3 for students who score just below the grade 4 threshold on Higher tier, but if you score lower than this, you'll receive an ungraded (U) result.

The content differs significantly between tiers. Higher tier students learn more advanced topics, which aren't taught at Foundation tier.

Foundation tier papers place more emphasis on Number and Ratio topics, whilst Higher tier papers focus more heavily on Algebra and Geometry. More of the marks on Higher tier papers are aimed at grades 7, 8 and 9, making these papers considerably more challenging.

Your tier choice depends on your target grade and future plans. If you're planning to study A Level Maths, Physics, or other STEM subjects, you'll typically need at least a grade 6 or 7, which means Higher tier is essential.

What Types of Questions Will You Get?

GCSE Maths papers test three main skills: 

• Fluency

• Reasoning

• Problem-solving

You'll face a mixture of question styles across all three papers. More information on the sorts of questions you’ll face can be found in our GCSE Maths Topics article. 

Short answer questions (1-2 marks) 

These test basic recall and simple calculations. 

For example: You might be asked to "Calculate 15% of £80" or "Write ⅗ as a decimal." These questions usually appear at the start of the paper to build your confidence.

Multi-step problems (3-5 marks)

These require you to work through several stages to reach an answer. 

For example: You might need to use Pythagoras' theorem to find a missing length, then use that length in a further calculation. Always show your working. You can earn method marks even if your final answer is wrong.

Problem-solving questions (4-6+ marks)

These apply maths to real-world scenarios. 

For example: You might be asked to analyse traffic data to make a town planning decision. These questions test whether you can identify which mathematical methods to use.

Reasoning questions (4+ marks) 

These questions ask you to explain your thinking or prove something mathematically. You might need to "Show that..." or "Explain why..." These questions test your understanding, not just your ability to calculate.

The papers are designed to get progressively harder. Questions at the start are typically shorter and worth fewer marks, whilst questions towards the end involve more complex, multi-step reasoning.

All exam boards design their papers so that difficulty increases gradually as you work through them. If you get stuck on a question, don't panic. Move on and come back to it later.

Tips for Performing Well Under Exam Conditions

• Show all your working. Even if your final answer is incorrect, you can still earn method marks for using the right approach. 

  • Clear handwriting and a structured approach help examiners follow your reasoning and award marks appropriately.

• Read questions carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what's being asked before you start. 

  • Look for keywords like "explain," "calculate," or "estimate". Each tells you what type of answer is expected.

• Check your answers. If you finish early, use the remaining time to check your work.

  • Look for arithmetic errors, missing units, or questions you might have skipped.

• Don't leave blanks. Even if you're unsure, attempt every question. 

  • You can't get marks for answers you don't write down, so make your best attempt.

• Manage your nerves. If you feel anxious during the exam, take a few deep breaths.

  • Remember that some questions are designed to be challenging, so it's normal to find parts of the paper difficult.

• Practise under timed conditions. Working through past papers with a timer will get you used to the pace of the exams. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many papers are there in GCSE Maths?

There are three equally weighted papers in GCSE Maths. Each paper lasts 90 minutes.

Can I use a calculator in all the papers?

No. For the three main exam boards - AQA, OCR, and Edexcel, two papers allow calculator usage, while one does not allow calculators.

Is there a formula sheet in the exam?

Yes. All exam boards provide a formula sheet at the front of each paper. This includes common formulas for area, volume, and trigonometry.

However, you still need to know which formula to use and when. The formula sheet won't help if you don't understand the concepts behind the formulas.

Ace Your GCSE Maths Exams With Save My Exams

Understanding the GCSE Maths exam format gives you a huge advantage. When you know exactly what to expect, you can revise more effectively and walk into the exam room with confidence.

The key to success is preparation, and Save My Exams has you covered. Take a look at our examiner-written GCSE Maths revision resources, past papers, and exam questions to help you get comfortable with question styles, learn to manage your time, and identify any weak topics that need more revision.

With the right preparation and resources, you’ll be ready to approach your GCSE Maths exams with confidence.

References

AQA GCSE Maths Specification (opens in a new tab)

OCR GCSE Maths Specification (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel GCSE Maths Specification (opens in a new tab)