GCSE maths with AQA

AQA’s GCSE maths is assessed with three written papers at the end of the course. One paper does not allow a calculator and two do. Every student is entered for the Foundation tier or the Higher tier, and the tier decides which grades are available.

This page explains how the exam is put together and which topics are worth practising. Questions here are written for this site in the style of GCSE papers. They are not AQA papers.

How the exams are set out

• Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5. Higher tier covers grades 4 to 9.
• The papers cover number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and measures, probability and statistics.
• Your school decides the tier, usually on the evidence of mock exams and classwork.

Is your school using a different exam board? Compare AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.

What you can practise here

Secondary Scholars has fourteen maths topics so far: fractions, percentages, standard form, expanding and factorising, equations, sequences, ratio, speed, angles, Pythagoras, circles, averages and probability. More will follow, and written working is not yet part of it.

• Fractions: Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, and give answers in their simplest form.
• Percentages: Find a percentage of an amount, increase and decrease by a percentage, and work backwards to an original price.
• Standard form: Write very large and very small numbers in standard form, convert back, and multiply numbers written that way.
• Expanding brackets: Multiply out brackets in algebra, from a single bracket to the product of two brackets.
• Solving equations: Solve linear equations by undoing each step, including equations with the unknown on both sides and with brackets.
• Factorising quadratics: Factorise expressions, from taking out a common factor to quadratics and the difference of two squares.
• Sequences: Continue sequences, find the nth term of a linear sequence, and spot geometric and quadratic patterns.
• Sharing in a ratio: Simplify ratios, share amounts in a ratio, and combine ratios that share a part.
• Speed, distance, time: Use speed, distance and time, including minutes, average speed over two stages, and changing units.
• Angles in polygons: Work out missing angles in triangles, round a point and in polygons, using angle sums and exterior angles.
• Pythagoras: Use Pythagoras’ theorem to find a missing side, in triangles, ladders and between points on a grid.
• Area of a circle: Find the area and circumference of circles, leaving answers in terms of π or using 3.14, and work back to the radius.
• Averages: Find the mean, median and a missing value, including from a frequency table.
• Probability: Work out simple probabilities, probabilities of not happening, combined events and expected outcomes.

How to practise

1. Do a short round on one topic most days. Ten questions is enough.
2. Read the explanation on every question, including the ones you get right.
3. Use the topic table to see which topics sit at level 1 or 2, and start there.
4. Sit a mini or full mock paper under time before a school exam, then fix the topics it shows.

Common questions

How many papers are there in AQA GCSE maths?

Three: one without a calculator and two with a calculator. Each lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 80 marks.

What is the difference between Foundation and Higher?

Foundation tier leads to grades 1 to 5 and Higher tier to grades 4 to 9. Higher papers include harder topics such as more advanced algebra.

Which tier should I be entered for?

Your teachers decide, usually after mock exams. Practising the harder topics here is useful whichever tier you sit.

Are these the real AQA questions?

No. They are original questions written for this site in the style of GCSE papers. We are not connected with AQA.

Exam details change. Always check the current specification on the exam board’s own website. Oakling Secondary Scholars is not connected with AQA.