If your Maths GCSE is fast approaching, there’s one thing that will make all the difference to your final grade: revision, revision, revision!
Here, we’ll walk you through how to revise for Maths GCSE effectively – from what topics to cover to expert revision tips and tried and tested techniques.
Psst! Want to boost your grades? Find a Maths GCSE tutor to give you one-on-one attention and expert support in preparing for your exams.
What to revise for Maths GCSE
First things first, you’ll need to know what topics to revise for Maths GCSE.
Every exam board will work a bit differently.
However, regardless of which exam board you’re with – and whether you’re sitting the higher or foundation tier papers – you’ll come across six main topics (and several subtopics).
With that in mind, here are the things to revise for Maths GCSE.
- Number
- Structure and calculation
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Measures and accuracy
- Algebra
- Notation, vocabulary and manipulation
- Graphs
- Solving equations and inequalities
- Sequences
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measure
- Properties and constructions
- Mensuration and calculation
- Vectors
- Probability
- Statistics
How to revise for GCSE Maths: 8 expert tips
Looking at your GCSE Maths revision notes and textbook, wondering where to start?
These top tips will help you to start your revision off on the right foot.
1. Know what to expect
Although all students will need to revise the six main topics, the level of depth you’ll need to go into will depend on whether you’re going to be taking Maths GCSE higher or foundation tier.
Plus, different exam boards will structure your exam papers in different ways.
For instance, Edexcel and AQA will mark exams out of 240, while OCR will mark you out of 300.
Always check your exam board’s specification to make sure you know exactly what topics could come up in what paper – and exactly what skills you need to have mastered.
That way, you can make sure you have every element covered and that there won’t be any nasty surprises on exam day!
Top tip: Regardless of your exam board, you’ll sit three papers – one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers, each 90 minutes long.
2. Start now!
It’s never too soon to start your Maths GCSE revision.
In fact, the sooner you begin revising, the more time you’ll have to master those trickier skills so you can reach your full potential in the exams.
Better still, starting doesn’t have to feel daunting.
Why not begin by taking 10 minutes after each maths lesson at school to go over what you’ve learned in class?
Read through your notes, check you understand it all and try out a couple of practice questions.
This can save you lots of formal revision time later down the road.
Plus, it’ll give you a chance to spot any problem areas where you could use some extra help before you head off on study leave!
3. Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses
Take a look at your mock exam – or practice test – results to see where you’re at in your learning.
Go through your paper with a fine-tooth comb and ask yourself…
- Which topics did you do well at?
- Which topics let you down?
- Are there any gaps in your knowledge or understanding?
- Did you run into issues with exam technique (e.g. time management, showing workings out e.t.c.)?
By taking the time to understand what went right and what went wrong, you can focus your attention on those areas that need the most improvement.
This way, you can make the biggest difference to your grades in the shortest amount of time.
That brings us onto…
4. Create a detailed revision timetable
A revision timetable can help you to keep your revision on track.
Unless you’re retaking your Maths GCSE, the chances are you have lots of different subjects to juggle.
Luckily, a revision schedule can help make sure you’re dividing your time up fairly between all subjects and topics – and you’ll also be able to stress less knowing you have every topic covered.
- Check your exam schedule
- Calculate how much time you have to study
- Decide which subjects and topics you need to spend the most time on
- Allocate time to each subject and topic
- Remember to schedule in regular breaks
Then, all that’s left is to stick to your revision timetable.
But don’t beat yourself up if things slip every now and again – you might find that some topics go much quicker than you thought, while others take a lot longer.
The important thing is to continue tweaking your revision timetable to make sure it reflects where you’re at right now. This way, you can make sure it’s working for you and not against you.
5. Pace yourself
There’s only so much a brain can assimilate in a day.
So, try not to cram.
Instead, divide your GCSE Maths revision up into manageable chunks, schedule in plenty of breaks and get plenty of fresh air and exercise.
Plus, plan things to look forward to so that you can get a well-earned break from your desk.
Revising little and often is typically the best way to help material to stick – and to avoid burning out.
6. Get familiar with your scientific calculator
You’ll have used your scientific calculator in your maths classes already – but now’s the time to make sure you’re completely comfortable using it.
Remember, two of your three exam papers will involve your scientific calculator.
So, familiarise yourself with its basic arithmetic functions and make sure you understand how to use trigonometric functions (like sine, cosine and tangent).
Plus, explore how you can use it for lesser-known operations such as:
- Simplifying ratios
- Converting numbers to standard form
- Converting mixed numbers to improper fractions
- Converting time into minutes and hours
- Finding the product of prime factors for a number
Knowing how to make the most of your scientific calculator can be like a superpower to boost your grades in the exam room!
7. Regularly complete GCSE Maths past papers
No matter what kind of learner you are, completing past papers and practice tests can be a huge boost to your revision.
As well as giving you an up-to-date understanding of which areas you still need to work on, they can…
- Familiarise you with the types of questions you might come across in the real thing
- Allow you to practise managing your time
- Give you valuable practice with exam technique
- Get you used to dealing with exam pressure
- Boost your confidence for the big day
Top tip: After completing a past paper, mock exam or practice test, always go through it to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
Then, tweak your revision schedule to focus on those areas that need it most.
8. Find a tutor
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness!
If there’s anything you don’t quite ‘get’ – or you want your own personal cheerleader to help you prepare for your exams – a GCSE Maths tutor will be right up your street.
Our maths tutors are experts in bringing their subject to life and will be able to explain difficult concepts in a way that clicks for you.
With tailored lesson plans that take into account your strengths, weaknesses and learning style, it’s a fantastic way to improve your grades.
In fact, 90% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade – and many improve by even more!
Best way to revise for Maths GCSE: 10 tried and tested techniques
Every student is different.
So, it’s important to figure out your learning style and use the revision techniques that suit you best.
Here are some techniques that can be particularly helpful when you’re revising for Maths GCSE.
1. Make flashcards
Flashcards can be a fantastic way to memorise formulas and key principles on the Maths GCSE syllabus.
Although you can find flashcards online, we always recommend creating your own. This is because the process of creating them can be a valuable revision exercise in itself!
2. Develop mnemonics
Mnemonics can help you to remember essential mathematical concepts.
For instance, you could use the mnemonic FOIL to help you remember expanding quadratics (first, outer, inner, last).
Top tip: Mnemonics can stick even better if you make them up yourself!
3. Go mad with post-it notes
Another good way to remember key concepts and equations is to write them on post-it notes and stick them in places where you’ll see them on a regular basis – like the bathroom mirror.
By seeing them again and again, this can help the information to stick.
4. Practise!
You don’t have to sit down and complete a whole past paper to exercise your mathematical muscles.
Rather, why not go through past papers or practice tests and divide them up? Put each question on a piece of card flashcard-style and answer a few a day to keep your brain sharp.
5. Make mind maps
If you’re a visual learner, mind maps could be a helpful tool.
By using colours, shapes and images, they can help you to visually organise complex mathematical ideas and see how different mathematical concepts relate to each other.
6. Explore different revision resources
There are lots of GCSE Maths resources available to help make your revision more engaging.
These include:
- Revision guides
- YouTube channels
- Podcasts
- Revision apps
- Revision websites (like BBC Bitesize)
Our GCSE Maths tutors will also be able to point you towards the best revision resources for your learning style.
8. Record your notes and listen to them back
Many learners like to record their revision notes.
This way, you can listen to them back when you’re doing other things – whether you’re out and about or just doing the washing up!
Repeatedly listening to the information you need to remember can really help it stick.
9. Teach someone else
Teaching someone else the content you’ve just learned can help you to increase your confidence in a topic.
It’s also a great test of how well you understand the material – if you can’t get your student to understand the concepts you’re teaching them, you probably don’t know them well enough yourself yet.
10. Form a study group
Revising doesn’t have to be a solo activity!
Forming a study group can be a great way to get some accountability – and you’ll also be able to help one another if there’s anything you don’t quite understand.
But make sure to pick your study mates wisely – it can be easy to get distracted!
How to prepare for GCSE Maths: in the exam room
With these revision tips and techniques, hopefully, you’ll be feeling prepared by the time your GCSE Maths exams roll around.
But the right approach to exam day itself can also make a big difference.
Here are some of our top exam tips – but make sure to head over to our guide on how to pass GCSE Maths for the full lowdown.
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.
Plus, make sure you leave time to check your answers at the end
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.
“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!”
– Dee A, GCSE Maths tutor
Read each question twice
We always recommend reading each question at least twice before answering.
After all, the last thing you want is to make silly mistakes.
You can also underline key words in the question if you like. This can be a great way to keep you focused.
Show your workings out
Did you know that in GCSE Maths, you don’t just get rewarded marks for right answers?
Even if you get an answer wrong, you can still gain marks for working out (and vice versa!).
So, make sure you show your workings out clearly to maximise your marks.
“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.”
– Shihab M, GCSE Maths tutor
Find a tutor to help you prepare for GCSE Maths
If you’re worried about passing GCSE Maths – or getting the best grade possible – you don’t have to worry alone.
A GCSE Maths tutor will have the tools, knowledge and experience needed to help you achieve the grade you’re after.
From tailored 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
How to revise for Maths GCSE and get a 9?
To get a 9 in your Maths GCSE, you’ll need to make sure that you fully understand all the concepts covered – rather than just rote learning equations and concepts. Make sure to ask for help if there’s anything you don’t quite ‘get.’
What topics to revise for Maths GCSE?
There are six main topics to revise for Maths GCSE:
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
How to revise for maths at the last minute?
Leaving your maths revision until the last minute is never a good idea.
However, if you only have a small amount of time, complete a past paper to see which areas need the most improvement. Then, target those areas to make the biggest difference in the smallest amount of time.
How to revise for Maths GCSE higher tier?
If you’re revising for Maths GCSE higher tier, you’ll need to understand material in a greater depth than foundation tier students, and wrap your head around trickier concepts.
Make sure that you fully understand every topic on the specification, and get help if there’s anything you’re struggling with.
Regularly completing higher tier Maths GCSE past papers can be a great revision tactic, showing you where you’re at in your learning and revealing the areas you need to focus on most.
How to revise for Maths GCSE Foundation?
When you’re revising for Maths GCSE Foundation, it’s important to make sure you’ve mastered the basics, so that there aren’t any gaps in your knowledge.
It’s also worth focusing your revision on the topics where you have the ability to score the most marks – for instance, in GCSE Maths Foundation, there’s a higher weighting towards number, ratio, proportion, and rates of change.
How to revise Maths GCSE effectively?
To revise Maths GCSE effectively, it’s important to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Then, you can use the revision techniques that best suit your learning style to focus on those areas that have the most room for improvement.
How many hours should you revise for GCSE Maths?
There’s no set number of hours you should revise for GCSE Maths. Some estimates indicate that 120 hours per GCSE subject is ideal. However, this will vary depending on the student and which subjects you feel you need to spend the most time on.
How to pass GCSE Maths easily?
To pass GCSE Maths easily, give yourself the most amount of time possible. By starting revision early, you’re essentially giving yourself a headstart and giving yourself the best opportunity to boost your grades before exam time.
What grade is 70% in maths in GCSE?
70% often equates to a grade 7 or 8 in GCSE Maths if you’re taking the higher tier papers. However, grade boundaries tend to vary each year depending on the difficulty of the exam.
