WJEC Double Award Maths and Numeracy GCSE Explained

Key takeaways

• The WJEC Double Award combines Mathematics and Numeracy into one qualification worth two GCSEs, replacing the previous system where these were separate subjects.

• You'll sit three exams covering financial maths, non-calculator work, and calculator-allowed topics, with the qualification first awarded in November 2026.

• The Double Award gives you two separate GCSE grades (like AA, BB, or CD), which count as two qualifications for university and college applications.

• It's designed to build real-world skills in areas like personal finance, problem-solving, and statistical analysis while keeping your options open for A-level Maths.

What is the WJEC Double Award in Maths and Numeracy?

Confused about what exactly this qualification is? You're not the first student to wonder.

The WJEC Double Award in Mathematics and Numeracy is a GCSE course that counts as two separate GCSEs when you finish. Think of it like studying one subject intensively and getting double the credit for it.

This qualification started being taught in September 2025 in Welsh schools. It replaces the old system where you could take Mathematics and Numeracy as two completely separate GCSEs.

Here's what makes it different: instead of choosing between maths subjects or doing them separately, everyone now follows one integrated course. You'll study both mathematical concepts (like algebra and geometry) and practical numeracy skills (like managing money and interpreting data) together.

The "double award" means you'll receive two GCSE grades when you finish – and yes, both count fully towards your overall GCSE results.

Why was the double award introduced?

Wales wanted to create a maths qualification that better prepares you for real life.

The new Double Award was designed with input from Qualifications Wales (opens in a new tab) to address several goals:

Reducing unnecessary overlap. The old system sometimes taught similar topics twice across separate qualifications. The Double Award removes this repetition.

Strengthening financial literacy. You'll spend dedicated time learning about personal finance, budgeting, loans, and other money skills you'll actually use after school.

Building stronger foundations. By combining mathematical thinking with practical numeracy, the course helps you see how maths connects to subjects like science, technology, and business.

Aligning with the Curriculum for Wales. The qualification supports the five mathematical proficiencies Wales wants you to develop: conceptual understanding, communication using symbols, fluency, logical reasoning, and strategic competence.

What will you study?

The Double Award covers four main mathematical concepts, which appear across all three exam units.

Number

In number, you'll work with everything from basic arithmetic to complex financial calculations:

• Fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios

• Standard form and index laws

• Rounding and estimating

• Personal finance topics like interest rates, mortgages, taxation, and budgeting

• Surds and irrational numbers (Higher Tier)

Algebra

In algebra, you’ll develop your ability to work with symbols and solve problems:

• Forming and simplifying expressions

• Solving equations and inequalities

• Understanding sequences and finding nth terms

• Drawing and interpreting graphs (linear, quadratic, and beyond)

• Real-life graphs like conversion charts and travel diagrams

Geometry and measures

You'll explore shapes, space, and measurement:

• Properties of 2D and 3D shapes

• Angle facts and circle theorems

• Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry

• Scale drawings, bearings, and maps

• Perimeter, area, and volume calculations

• Transformations and symmetry

Statistics and probability

This area helps you make sense of data and chance:

• Collecting, organising, and representing data

• Calculating averages and measures of spread

• Creating and interpreting charts, graphs, and diagrams

• Understanding probability for single and multiple events

• Drawing conclusions from data

One thing that makes this course special: Unit 1 focuses heavily on financial mathematics. You'll learn practical skills like comparing loan offers, understanding payslips, calculating VAT, and making informed financial decisions.

I have taught GCSE Maths for several years, and a frequent criticism from both students and parents was that the courses did not include enough financial literacy. This new specification from WJEC tackles this directly, which I am very pleased about. I personally think it will really benefit students in the long-term.

How is WJEC Double Award GCSE in Maths & Numeracy assessed?

You'll take three written exams, and the total marks from all three determine your final grades.

Here's the breakdown:

When can you sit these exams?

Units 1 and 2 will first be available in summer 2026, then every summer and November after that. Unit 3 starts in November 2026, then continues every summer and November. The full qualification awards from November 2026 onwards.

Each exam includes a mix of short questions and longer, multi-step problems. Some questions are "context-free" (pure maths), while others are set in real-world situations like planning a budget or interpreting survey results.

You'll also find two marks on each paper awarded for how well you communicate and organise your mathematical working – so showing your method clearly really matters.

The exams are tiered. You can take Foundation Tier (grades C–G) or Higher Tier (grades A*–D). Your teachers will help you decide which tier suits you best for each unit.

You can take different tiers across different units. For example, you might take Foundation Tier for Unit 1 but Higher Tier for Units 2 and 3. Your teachers will guide you on the best strategy. 

Having taught GCSE Maths to hundreds of students, I know that tiers of entry can be a sensitive issue. So my best advice is to always ask your maths teacher, perhaps after class, for their opinion on which tier would suit you best. The fact that this course allows you to sit different tiers for different units is also very useful.

You can find full details of the course content and assessments in the course specification (opens in a new tab). 

How does grading work?

This is where it gets interesting. Because you're earning a double award, worth two GCSEs, you'll receive two GCSE grades at the end of the course.

Your results will look like this: A*A*, AA, AB, BC, CD, DD, EE, FF, or GG.

How it's calculated:

Your raw marks from all three exams are converted into Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) points. These are then added together to determine your double grade.

Here's the scale:

There are grades in between each of the above. E.g. the grade BC sits between BB and CC.

How does it compare to the old system?

If you have older siblings or friends who took GCSEs before 2025, they might have followed a different route.

The old way:

• Students could take separate Mathematics and Numeracy GCSEs

• This meant two completely different courses with separate exams

• Some topics were repeated across both subjects

• You had to manage two distinct qualifications

The new Double Award way:

• Everything is integrated into one coherent course

• You study both mathematical concepts and numeracy together

• There's less repetition and better connections between topics

• You still get two GCSE grades, but from one qualification

• Greater emphasis on financial literacy and real-world applications

The content hasn't dramatically changed – you're still learning essential maths skills. What's different is the structure and how topics connect together.

One key advantage: the Double Award reduces the exam burden slightly while maintaining rigorous standards. 

What does this mean for your future?

Getting two GCSE grades from one subject might sound unusual, but it actually works in your favour.

For A-level Maths:

If you want to study A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics, the Double Award provides everything you need. Colleges and sixth forms recognise it as equivalent to having separate Maths and Numeracy GCSEs.

You'll need strong grades (typically at least a B or above in your double grade) to progress to A-level Maths. Talk to your teachers about which tier gives you the best shot at these grades.

For university applications:

Universities treat the Double Award as two full GCSEs. If a course requires "five GCSEs including Maths," your Double Award satisfies both the Maths requirement and contributes two qualifications towards the total of five.

This is particularly useful because many degree courses (not just STEM subjects) require GCSE Maths. Having two maths grades demonstrates strong quantitative skills.

For apprenticeships and employment:

Employers value the practical numeracy skills built into this qualification. The focus on financial literacy, data interpretation, and problem-solving in real contexts prepares you well for workplace scenarios.

Many apprenticeships require GCSE Maths as an entry requirement. The Double Award meets this threshold and often exceeds it, showing you have well-rounded mathematical abilities.

For careers:

Whether you're heading into business, healthcare, engineering, technology, or creative industries, the skills you develop – particularly around data analysis and financial understanding – will serve you throughout your career.

Tips for success in the double award

Approaching this qualification strategically makes a real difference to your results.

Master the financial literacy content early. Unit 1 is worth 30% of your grade and focuses heavily on real-world financial scenarios. Topics like simple vs compound interest, APR, mortgages, and budgeting appear frequently. Understanding these concepts thoroughly gives you a strong foundation.

Practice without a calculator. Unit 2 bans calculators entirely. Get comfortable with mental arithmetic, fraction manipulation, and estimation techniques. Regular practice here builds your confidence and speed.

Show your working clearly. Remember those two marks per paper for communication? They're easy marks if you organise your solutions logically, explain your reasoning, and present your working neatly. Even if you make a calculation error, you can still earn method marks.

Connect different topics. The Double Award emphasises how mathematical areas link together. A question might start with algebra, require geometry knowledge, and finish with a statistical conclusion. Look for these connections as you revise.

Use past papers strategically. Since this qualification is new (first taught September 2025), past papers from the old separate Maths and Numeracy GCSEs can still help you practice. Focus on understanding question styles and timing yourself under exam conditions.

Balance your revision across units. Unit 3 carries the most weight (40%), but the others are worth 30% each. A strong performance across all three units gives you the best shot at high grades.

Understand the tier system. You can take different tiers for different units. If you're aiming for A or A* grades overall, you'll need Higher Tier. But if you're targeting C or D grades, Foundation Tier might be the smarter choice for some units. Discuss this with your teachers.

Apply maths to everyday situations. The course values real-world problem solving. When you encounter percentages in shops, statistics in news articles, or budgeting at home, think about how the maths you're learning applies. This makes concepts stick.

Frequently asked questions

Is the WJEC Double Award for Maths & Numeracy harder than the old GCSEs?

Not necessarily. The content is quite similar to what was in the previous Mathematics and Numeracy GCSEs. What's changed is the structure – everything is now integrated rather than separate.

Some students find the Double Award clearer because topics connect better. Others need time to adjust to the financial literacy emphasis in Unit 1 which may be something you have never studied before.

The exams are designed to be comparable in difficulty to previous qualifications. If you put in solid revision and practice regularly, you'll be well prepared.

Do I need to pass both parts to get a grade?

There aren't really "two parts" to pass separately. You receive one double grade based on your total performance across all three exam units.

For example, if you earn enough UMS points for grade CC, you'll receive two C grades. If you're just short of CC but above DD, you might receive a CD (one C and one D).

The grading system ensures your overall achievement is recognised fairly. Even if one exam doesn't go as well as hoped, strong performance in the other units can balance things out.

Can I still take A Level Maths with the double award?

Absolutely. The Double Award provides all the mathematical knowledge and skills you need for A-level Mathematics.

Colleges and sixth forms recognise it as meeting their entry requirements. Typically, you'll need at least a B grade (so at least BB or AB in your double grade) to progress to A-level Maths, though requirements vary by institution.

If you're considering Further Maths at A-level, you'll usually need even stronger grades – often AA or A*A*.

Check with your chosen sixth form or college for their specific entry criteria, but the Double Award definitely keeps the A-level pathway open.

Will colleges and employers understand the new grades?

Yes. Colleges, universities, and employers across Wales are aware of the Double Award system.

Admissions teams and HR departments understand that your double grade represents two full GCSE qualifications. If a course or job requires "GCSE Maths at grade C or above," a double grade of CC, BC, or higher satisfies this requirement.

The Double Award is specifically designed for the Welsh education system, so institutions in Wales are fully prepared for it. If you're applying outside Wales, you might occasionally need to explain that it's worth two GCSEs, but this is straightforward and the grading system is clear.

Final thoughts

The WJEC Double Award in Mathematics and Numeracy represents a fresh approach to GCSE Maths in Wales.

By combining mathematical concepts with practical numeracy skills – and placing real emphasis on financial literacy – I believe that this qualification prepares you even better for both further study and everyday life.

Yes, it's new. Yes, it might feel unfamiliar at first. But it's also been carefully designed to be manageable, relevant, and valuable.

You'll develop skills that matter: solving problems, analysing data, managing money, and thinking logically. And you'll earn two GCSE grades that open doors to A levels, university, apprenticeships, and careers.

If you're unsure about any aspect of the Double Award – whether that's choosing your tier, understanding the exam structure, or knowing what to revise – talk to your teachers. As a teacher myself, I can assure you that they want nothing more than to see you succeed.

With the right preparation and mindset, you've got this.

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References

• WJEC GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy (Double Award) Specification (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy (Double Award) - Key Documents (opens in a new tab)

• Qualifications Wales (opens in a new tab)