How Long Are GCSE Maths Exams? Exam Board Breakdown

If you’re preparing for your GCSE Maths exams, one of the first things you’ll want to know is exactly how long you’ll be spending in the exam hall. After all, timing can make a big difference when it comes to planning your revision strategy and pacing yourself on the day. 

The good news is that the structure of GCSE Maths exams is fairly consistent across the main exam boards, so once you understand the breakdown, there won’t be any surprises. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how long GCSE Maths exams are, how many papers you’ll sit, and the small differences between exam boards, so you can go into your exams feeling prepared and confident.

Key Takeaways

• GCSE Maths consists of three papers. You'll sit one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers.

• Each paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. That's 90 minutes per paper, giving you a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes of exam time across all three papers.

• The format is consistent across exam boards. Whether you're taking AQA, Edexcel, or OCR, the structure is basically the same.

Each paper counts for exactly one-third (33.3%) of your final grade, so they're all equally important.

How Many Papers Are in GCSE Maths?

All the major exam boards use the same three-paper structure, according to AQA (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (opens in a new tab), and OCR (opens in a new tab). There is only one minor difference.

For AQA and Edexcel

• Paper 1 is the non-calculator paper, and Papers 2 and 3 are calculator papers.

For OCR

• Paper 2 is the non-calculator paper, and Papers 1 and 3 are calculator papers.

Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes long, and carries equal weighting, meaning they each contribute one-third (33.3%) towards your final GCSE Maths grade. So you can't afford to ignore any of them.

How Long Are the GCSE Maths Papers?

Here's a handy comparison table showing the exam timings across the main exam boards:

As you can see, the timing is identical across AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.

What about WJEC? If you're in Wales and taking WJEC exams, things work slightly differently according to WJEC specifications (opens in a new tab).

There are three tiers of qualification. Each student must sit two papers, no matter the tier they have selected. The tiers are Higher, Intermediate, or Foundation.

Foundation Tier: 

• Two papers, each lasting 1 hour 30 mins.

• Paper 1 is non-calculator. 

• Paper 2 is calculator-allowed.

• Each paper is worth 50% of your qualification.

Intermediate and Higher Tiers:

• Two papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 mins.

• Paper 1 is non-calculator. 

• Paper 2 is calculator-allowed.

• Each paper is worth 50% of your qualification.

What's the Difference Between the Papers?

For AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, even though all three papers are the same length, they test slightly different skills.

The non-calculator paper tests your ability to solve problems with mental arithmetic, basic algebra, and problem-solving without relying on a calculator. It's testing your fundamental maths skills.

The calculator papers allow you to use a calculator, and typically include more complex topics like trigonometry, graphs, and higher-level problem-solving.

All three papers cover a mix of topics. Don't expect one paper to focus only on algebra and another only on geometry. The topics are spread across all papers, so you need to revise everything thoroughly.

Each paper will test your knowledge of number, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability in different ways.

Foundation vs Higher Tier

The paper structure and timing stay the same whether you're taking Foundation or Higher Tier (except for WJEC Higher, as mentioned above).

Foundation Tier allows you to achieve grades 1 to 5. This tier focuses on core mathematical concepts and is designed for students working towards these grade boundaries.

Higher Tier allows you to achieve grades 4 to 9. The questions are more challenging and test deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

Your teacher will help you decide which tier is right for you. This decision is based on your predicted grade, your confidence with the material, and your teacher's professional judgement.

Because there's overlap at grades 4 and 5, it’s important to have an honest chat with your teacher about which tier gives you the best chance of success. For some people, nailing the basics at Foundation provides more Grade 4 security.

Revision Tips Based on Exam Timings

Now you know how long each paper is, here's how to use that information to hit your revision targets:

• Practice with timed past papers. Get used to working under 90-minute exam conditions. This builds your exam stamina and helps you understand how much time to spend on each question. You can find GCSE Maths past papers right here on Save My Exams.

• Master mental arithmetic skills. Since you can't use a calculator on one of your maths papers, you need to be rock-solid with mental arithmetic and basic algebra. Practise these skills regularly throughout your revision period. Using a strategy, like the chunking technique, means you can dedicate a set period of your revision to mental maths and nothing else. This focus can help you retain information more effectively.

• Time yourself on individual questions. If you're spending 10 minutes on a 3-mark question, you need to speed up. Learn to recognise how much time each question type should take.

• Build up your exam endurance gradually. Start with 30-minute practice sessions, then work up to full 90-minute papers. This prevents burnout and helps you build stamina naturally.

For more help with your maths revision, head over to the revision tips section of our Learning Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all GCSE Maths papers 90 minutes long?

Yes, for most exam boards. AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC Foundation Tier all set 90-minute papers.

The exception is WJEC Intermediate and Higher Tier, where each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

Are the calculator and non-calculator papers the same difficulty?

Not exactly. Non-calculator papers test your ability to work without a calculator, focusing on mental arithmetic and basic algebraic manipulation.

Calculator papers often include more complex calculations and higher-level topics. However, the overall difficulty is balanced, so each paper is equally challenging for your tier.

What's the total length of all the GCSE Maths exams?

For AQA, Edexcel, and OCR: 

• The total exam time is 4 hours 30 minutes (90 minutes × 3 papers).

For WJEC Foundation Tier:

• The total exam time is 3 hours (90 minutes × 2 papers).

For WJEC Intermediate and Higher Tiers:

• The total exam time is 3 hours 30 minutes (105 minutes × 2 papers).

These papers are usually spread across a few weeks during the exam period, so you won't be sitting them all in one go.

Final Thoughts

Now you know exactly how long the GCSE Maths exams are, you’re in a great position to focus your energy on mastering the content rather than worrying about different formats.

Use this information to plan your revision strategy. Know how long you'll be in each exam, practise working within those time limits, and build up your exam stamina gradually.

Ready to start your revision? Head over to Save My Exams for comprehensive revision notes, and flashcards to help you feel confident and prepared on exam day.

References

AQA GCSE Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel GCSE Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

OCR GCSE Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

WJEC GCSE Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)