Revision Dashboard
Affiliate program
I’ve started using biology paper 1 course for my year 9 son as the school has started some of the gcse content already. We will go on to buy the full version in year 10. The notes and quizzes are very good. Some pictures/diagrammes alongside the notes will really help.
AQA GCSE Maths Revision Guide
AQA GCSE Maths (8300)
GCSE Maths can feel like a mountain, but with the right info and revision strategies, you can climb it one step at a time. This guide breaks down the AQA exam structure and gives you practical revision tips you can start using today.
📑 How Many Papers Are There?
AQA GCSE Maths (specification 8300) is assessed through three exam papers:
Paper 1 - Non-Calculator
Paper 2 - Calculator
Paper 3 - Calculator
All three papers are equally weighted and contribute one-third of your final grade each. Each paper has a foundation (grades 1-5) and higher tier (grades 4-9).
👉 All three papers can test content from the entire specification.
However, because Paper 1 is non-calculator and Papers 2 and 3 are calculator, the style of questions changes - meaning certain topics are more likely to appear in certain papers.
AQA GCSE Maths is split into five main areas:
2️⃣ Algebra
3️⃣ Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change
4️⃣ Geometry & Measures
5️⃣ Probability & Statistics
Below is a simple, student-friendly breakdown of each area and the content you’re expected to know.
🔢 1. Number
Covers core arithmetic and number concepts you use throughout the GCSE.
✦ Key topics:
Place value, integers, decimals
Factors, multiples, primes, HCF & LCM
Fractions (operations, equivalence, reciprocals)
Decimals ↔ percentages conversions
Rounding & estimation (decimal places, significant figures)
Powers & roots, including fractional & negative indices (Higher)
Standard form
Surds (Higher only)
Error intervals / bounds
Rational/irrational numbers (Higher)
🧮 2. Algebra
Algebra grows in complexity from basic manipulation to functions, graphs and advanced manipulation.
✦ Key topics:
Simplifying expressions
Expanding brackets (single, double, triple brackets)
Factorising (including quadratics and difference of squares)
Solving equations:
Linear
Quadratic (completing the square, factorising, quadratic formula)
Simultaneous equations
Rearranging formulae
Inequalities (including on number lines and graphs)
Sequences:
Linear & quadratic
Nth term
Functions:
Substitution
Inverse & composite functions (Higher)
Graphs:
Straight line graphs
Quadratics & cubic graphs
Reciprocal graphs
Exponential graphs
Gradient, intercepts, tangents (Higher)
➗ 3. Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change
Highly applied area - lots of real-life context questions.
✦ Key topics:
Ratio & proportion
Dividing into ratios
Best buys
Direct & inverse proportion
Compound measures:
Speed
Density
Pressure
Percentages:
Increase, decrease, reverse percentages
Compound interest / depreciation
Growth & decay
Gradients & rates of change (linked with graphs)
Interpreting distance–time and velocity–time graphs
📐 4. Geometry & Measures
Shapes, angles, properties, trigonometry and transformations.
✦ Key topics:
Properties & Angles
Angles in triangles and polygons
Parallel line angle rules
Circle theorems (Higher)
Congruence & similarity
2D & 3D Shapes - Perimeter, area & volume of:
Rectangles, triangles, circles
Sectors
Cylinders, spheres, cones, pyramids, prisms
Trigonometry
SOHCAHTOA (right-angled triangles)
Exact trig values (Higher)
Sine rule, cosine rule, area of a triangle (Higher)
Trigonometric graphs & equations (Higher)
Transformations
Reflection
Rotation
Translation
Enlargement (including fractional and negative scale factors)
Coordinate Geometry (Higher-heavy)
Gradients
Midpoints
Equation of a line
Tangents
Vectors (Higher)
Vector notation
Resultant vectors
Parallel vectors
Geometric vector proofs
🎲 5. Probability
Covers the likelihood of events happening.
✦ Key topics:
Basic probability
Sample spaces
Frequency trees
Tree diagrams (with/without replacement)
Venn diagrams
Set notation (Higher)
Combined & conditional probability
📊 6. Statistics
Understanding and interpreting data.
✦ Key topics:
Data collection methods
Types of data (qualitative, discrete, continuous)
Averages: mean, median, mode
Range, interquartile range, mean from a table
Charts & graphs:
Bar charts, pie charts
Stem-and-leaf diagrams
Frequency polygons
Histograms (Higher)
Box plots
Cumulative frequency
Correlation & scatter graphs
Lines of best fit
👉How to revise for AQA GCSE Maths
✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:
1. Focus on Your Weak Spots🧩
Instead of repeatedly practising what you already know, find the topics that trip you up.
Try:
Past papers
Topic checklists
Diagnostic tests (Hegarty, Dr Frost, Corbett Maths)
2. Use Past Papers and Mark Schemes📄
Past papers are gold dust for Maths revision. You will find links to past papers and mark schemes on this page!
When practising:
Treat each paper like the real exam
Mark your answers using the official mark scheme
Identify patterns in the questions
Notice where method marks are awarded ✔️
3. Practise Under Timed Conditions⏱️
Maths is as much about speed as accuracy.
Set a timer for 90 minutes and complete a full paper.
This builds:
Exam stamina
Confidence
Time-management skills
4. Get Comfortable With Your Calculator🧮
Your calculator is your best friend in Papers 2 and 3!
Make sure you can:
Use fraction buttons
Access previous answers (ANS)
Use powers, roots, and scientific notation
Apply brackets correctly
5. Ask for Help When Stuck💬
Teachers, friends, YouTube channels - use them!
You’ll learn quicker by asking questions than battling alone.
6. Show Your Working✍️
This is so important.
Even if you’re unsure:
Write something
Try a method
Draw a diagram
Break the problem down
You can earn partial credit even without the final answer.
7. Mix Revision With Mini-Breaks🌈
Avoid marathon revision sessions.
Try:
25 minutes work
5 minutes break
(That’s the Pomodoro technique 🍅)
Your brain will thank you!
⭐ Final Thought
Maths isn’t about being “naturally good” - it’s about practice, patience and learning from mistakes. With steady revision and an understanding of the paper structure, you’ll be prepared and confident walking into each exam.
You’ve got this! 💪
£
11.22
£
14.97
£
24.00