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:
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
✨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! 💪
