Mathematics GCSE

Overview

Why should you study Maths?

All students in year 10 and 11 study GCSE Mathematics, enhancing your employability skills essential for Engineering and Health and Life Science industries. It is important that you gain a grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics at the end of year 11 otherwise you will need to resit GCSE Mathematics in year 12. Furthermore, GCSE Mathematics is a pre-request subject for many external pathway routes into industry.

Exam board: Edexcel/Pearson

Course title: Mathematics GCSE (1MA1) Higher or Foundation

Course content

The principal focus in the mathematics curriculum is to problem solve which is assessed through written examinations with questions based on the three assessment objectives:

  • AO1 is about using and applying standard techniques,
  • AO2 is about reasoning, interpreting, and communicating mathematically,
  • AO3 is about solving problems with a much greater focus on solving non-routine problems in mathematical and non-mathematical contexts.

You will build on your KS3 mathematics and develop your:

  • number skills, estimating, considering errors, working with multiples and factors, using standard form, and advanced calculations with fractions, percentages, and decimals,
  • algebra skills, manipulating expressions, using inequalities, solving linear equations, exploring sequences, using graphs, and solving quadratics,
  • calculation skills using ratio and proportion to solve real world problems
  • geometric skills through construction, working with angles, applying circle theorems, using geometric proofs, solving problems in 1D, 2D and 3D and using trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
  • data handling skills by studying probability and statistics.

Furthermore, throughout your year 10 and 11 studies with us you will have opportunities to experience maths used in everyday life. Past students have engaged with our school career drop down days and studied “the maths of splitting ticket prices,” “business” and “the maths in CGI effects.” We are also proud to take part in the MEI Maths Feast events held annually at the University of Nottingham.

How is the course assessed?

Foundation or Higher

Paper 1: 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes, 33.3% weighting, no calculator

Paper 2: 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes, 33.3% weighting, calculator

Paper 3: 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes, 33.3% weighting, calculator

Equipment

Students require the following equipment – pen, pencil, ruler, compass, protractor and scientific calculator (recommend Casio FX83GT-CW)

Qualification specification: Maths GCSE | Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (2015) | Pearson qualifications

Other useful study resources

Sparx Maths: Sparx Maths

Corbett Maths: Corbettmaths – Videos, worksheets, 5-a-day and much more

Maths and Physics Tutor: Maths Revision – PMT (physicsandmathstutor.com)