Passing your Maths GCSE – and getting the highest grade you can – will open up doors in your future studies and career. But maths doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
Don’t worry. Here, we’ll reveal our top tips for how to pass GCSE Maths, so you can get the grade you need.
How to pass Maths GCSE
Not everyone finds maths easy. But there are a few simple tips and tricks you can try to make passing your Maths GCSE a whole lot easier.
Here are our top 11.
1. Know what to expect
First things first, it’s important to know exactly what you can expect in your Maths GCSE exams.
This way, you can make sure to cover every element in your revision.
Plus, you can lower your exam stress knowing that there won’t be any unexpected surprises on the day.
The six subjects covered will be:
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
Each exam board will work a bit differently. For instance, Edexcel and AQA will mark exams out of 240, while OCR will mark you out of 300. It’s useful to check which exam board you’re with so you know exactly how things will work.
However, regardless of your exam board, you’ll sit three papers – one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers, each 90 minutes long.
You’ll also be marked within the same grading system of 1-9.
2. Choose the right tier
GCSE Maths is different from most subjects in that there are two tiers to choose from – foundation tier and higher tier.
If you opt to take the foundation tier, the highest grade you’ll be able to access is a grade 5. Meanwhile, the higher tier will give you access to grades 4-9.
Normally, the decision over which tier you’ll sit will be made by your school. But they may let you have an input, or you may be able to request to switch tiers.
So, make sure you’re in agreement over which tier is the best fit for you.
There’s no one size fits all – rather, it’s all about your goals and how easy you find the subject.
If you’re aiming for a high grade – perhaps because you want to go into a maths-based subject later on in your academic studies – then the higher-tier paper is a must.
However, if you’re struggling to scrape a pass, the foundation tier could lessen your load by allowing you to focus on honing the basics – rather than trying to get your head around more complex topics that are geared towards students aiming for a top grade.
3. Get the help of a tutor
Although your school will prepare you for your GCSE Maths exam, nothing beats one-to-one attention.
A Maths GCSE tutor is an experienced professional who’ll know how to help you reach your potential. In fact, many of our Maths tutors here at Tutorful are trained teachers and examiners too!
Your tutor will create tailored lesson plans that take into account your strengths, weaknesses and learning style.
In this way, they’ll help to prepare you fully for the exam and will be able to guide you to the best marks possible.
After all, 90% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade!
4. Nail your revision timetable
Preparation is key if you want to pass your Maths GCSE.
So, make sure you start revision early and come up with a really solid timetable to ensure you’re covering all the topics in the detail needed.
It’s never too soon to start revision for your Maths GCSE, but we would recommend starting at the beginning of year 11 at the latest.
After all, there’s a lot to cover. And this way, you can spread out your learning over the year instead of panicking just a few weeks before your exam.
For instance, you could start with just an hour a week and then increase it nearer to your exam date. You could also rotate subjects so that they all remain fresh in your mind.
This will give you time to remember everything you’ve learned at school, to consolidate your knowledge and to put it into practice. The chances are you’ll see a steady yet significant improvement in your results.
5. Use GCSE Maths resources
There are lots of resources available to help you pass GCSE Maths.
And we don’t just mean your exam board’s revision guide.
You can also watch engaging revision videos on YouTube, download dedicated apps, or browse resources on websites like Teachit.
In this way, you’ll be able to find tools to support your Maths GCSE revision, no matter what your preferred revision techniques are.
Check out our top maths resources for the complete lowdown. And don’t forget that a GCSE Maths tutor will be able to point you towards the best resources to help you while you’re not being tutored too.
6. Practice, practice, practice!
You know the saying practice makes perfect. Well, it’s also true when it comes to maths.
Yes, it’s important to spend time wrapping your head around key concepts and learning about the topics you’re likely to face in the exam. But it’s also important to spend as much time as possible actually doing maths!
By this, we mean spending time answering questions.
Don’t leave it until your exam is around the corner – instead, completing practice questions regularly throughout the year will ensure you’re giving yourself the practice and experience you need.
As you start to get closer to the exam, we’d recommend completing practice papers under timed conditions.
This way, you can also get used to managing your time and dealing with the pressure of exam conditions – which can boost your confidence and reduce exam stress when the big day rolls around.
7. Read the question carefully
No matter how much knowledge you have, if you read the question wrong, you’re guaranteed to lose marks.
So, don’t rush.
Instead, make a point of reading each question carefully and methodically. In fact, we’d recommend reading each question at least twice before you answer it.
If it helps, you can even underline key words in the question to keep you focused.
8. Attempt every question
If you’re stuck on a certain question, it can be tempting to leave it out thinking that if you don’t attempt it, you won’t put down anything wrong.
But if you leave out a question, you’re guaranteed to get zero marks on it.
On the other hand, trying every question will make sure that you’re accessing all of the marks available.
Tutorful Maths tutor, Dee A, says:
“It is important to realise that a blank answer guarantees zero marks, whereas an attempted answer may gain some marks for working out – and worst case, zero marks, which is no worse than skipping.
“Be brave and have a go. The extra mark here and there is worth it!”
9. Show your workings out
Contrary to what you might think, you won’t only get rewarded marks for a correct answer.
Rather, you can also gain marks for working out.
So, just because you’re not sure what the correct answer is, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth answering the question.
Maths tutor Shihab M explains:
“I always tell my students to attempt even just part of it. Even if they reach a dead end, they may have picked up a mark or 2.
“Doing this here and there is often the difference in getting a better grade when going through past papers.”
With that in mind, try to make sure your work is neat and clear, and that one point leads to another.
This will make it easier for examiners to follow your train of thought and, hopefully, reward it with some marks!
10. Plan your time
There’s a lot to get through in your Maths GCSE papers. So, be sure to plan your time carefully.
The last thing you want is to run out of time when you’re only halfway through!
As a guide, you should spend the most time on the questions that are worth the most – and vice versa.
But remember to leave time to check your answers at the end.
This is also a great opportunity to have a second go at any questions you weren’t sure about.
11. Don’t panic!
Last but not least, don’t panic.
The Maths GCSE is designed for you to show the examiners what you can do – not to catch you out.
Work through the questions calmly and methodically, leaving time to go back and check your answers at the end – and try some of our techniques for overcoming exam fear.
The most important thing is that you try your best. Then, you can be proud of yourself whatever the outcome.
Remember, if worst comes to worst, you can always retake your Maths GCSE – so, this isn’t your only chance to get the grade you want!
How to pass Maths GCSE Foundation
Opted to sit the foundation tier Maths GCSE? Then you might well be wondering how to pass GCSE Maths Foundation.
Well, everything we’ve covered up until this point still applies.
You’ll need to get familiar with what’s in the exam, nail your revision timetable and read the questions carefully.
However, here are a few extra things to consider.
1. Master the basics
If you find maths hard at school, it might be because you’ve never truly mastered the basics.
As an example, learning algebra when you’re still trying to get to grips with basic multiplication is almost impossible!
Luckily, foundation-tier Maths GCSE is designed for students who are aiming for a grade 4 or 5 – as opposed to students who are aiming for the highest grades.
So, you’ll be able to focus more on foundational concepts instead of trying to wrap your head around the most complex and challenging content that’s likely to crop up in the higher-tier papers.
However, it’s still important to make sure you’ve mastered the basics so you’re not trying to run before you can walk.
A Maths GCSE tutor can help to fill in any gaps in your knowledge – even if that means going back to square one. That way, you can catch up and make sure you have a good base from which to approach the Maths GCSE Foundation exam.
2. Focus your revision
As we’ve touched upon already, the Maths GCSE Foundation papers will have a slightly different focus from the higher-tier papers.
Although both tiers will cover the same six subjects, some of the more complex concepts won’t crop up in the foundation papers.
Similarly, the weightings will be different.
For example, in GCSE Maths Foundation, there is a higher weighting towards number, ratio, proportion, and rates of change.
Make sure that you focus your revision accordingly, so you’re giving the most amount of attention to the topics where you have the ability to score the most marks.
3. Attempt Maths GCSE Foundation past papers
We’ve talked already about the importance of practice papers.
But it’s super important to make sure you’re using practice papers from the tier you’re going to be attempting.
After all, there’s no point in going over and over practice questions that cover topics you won’t have to deal with in the exam.
This will take your attention and time away from the topics you really need to hone, and that could make a significant difference to your overall grade.
Don’t worry. A GCSE Maths tutor will be able to point you in the right direction, and will provide you with regular practice papers in the leadup to your exam.
Find a tutor to help you pass GCSE Maths
If you’re worried about passing GCSE Maths – or getting the best grade possible – you don’t have to worry alone.
No matter whether you’re studying for the higher or foundation-tier exam, a GCSE Maths tutor will have the tools, knowledge and experience needed to help you achieve the grade you’re after.
From tailored lesson plans to practice exams, they’ll give you the one-to-one attention and dedicated time you need to ensure you reach your full potential.
FAQs
What if I can’t pass my Maths GCSE?
If you get less than a grade 4, you’ll have to retake your Maths GCSE (or get an equivalent qualification). Head over to our guide on what happens if you fail your Maths GCSE to learn more.
Is getting a Maths GCSE hard?
Maths GCSE is certainly challenging. However, many more students pass than fail.
Out of the 16-year-olds who took the exam in Summer 2024, 72% got a grade 4 or above (according to FFT Education Datalab).
Is 70% a pass in GCSE Maths?
Yes, 70% usually equates to a good pass in GCSE Maths. However, grade boundaries tend to vary each year depending on the difficulty of the exam.
As a general guide, you’ll often need around 40-60% to get a grade 4 if you take foundation-tier GCSE Maths, or 10-25% if you take the higher tier. A grade 4 is normally considered the minimum grade you need to pass.
How to pass GCSE Maths easily?
Passing GCSE Maths isn’t easy for everyone. However, if you find the topic difficult, opting for foundation-tier GCSE Maths could make it easier for you to achieve a pass by getting rid of some of the most complex concepts and allowing you to focus more on foundational topics.
Is GCSE Maths Foundation hard?
GCSE Maths Foundation isn’t necessarily easy. However, it’s designed to be less challenging and complex than the higher-tier papers.
How to study for Foundation Maths?
When you’re studying for foundation maths, we’d recommend starting by filling any gaps in your knowledge of the basics. This way, you’ll have a strong foundation to build on when you’re learning and studying for your GCSE.
Is a 3 a pass in Foundation GCSE?
No. A grade 3 won’t usually be considered a pass. Rather, you’ll need at least a grade 4.
Is it easier to get a 5 in foundation or higher?
Most students who are on the border of achieving a grade 4 or 5 will find it easier to do so with the foundation-tier papers. This is because GCSE Maths Foundation will generally be less challenging and complex.
That said, it’s worth bearing in mind that grade 5 is the maximum you can get if you opt for the foundation tier – even if you get every single question correct!
What do you need to pass GCSE Maths Foundation?
You’ll need a grade 4 to pass your Maths GCSE – regardless of whether you’re taking GCSE Maths Foundation or higher tier.
However, you’ll need to get a higher proportion of correct answers to achieve a grade 4 in GCSE Maths Foundation – usually around 40-60%, as opposed to 10-25% with higher tier. Just remember, the paper is designed to be less challenging!
