MATHEMATICS GCSE

Subject changes from 2015 First Exam 2017

• No exam board chosen yet

• 100% examination with 3 exams

• 1 calculator paper and 2 non-calculator papers

• Total of 4.5 hours examination time

• Both tiers enable students to meet the entry requirements to enter sixth form/colleges

• Students will sit higher if they are intending to study mathematics A Level

GCSE Maths exam update

GCSE Maths content update • Several previously ‘higher tier’ topics will now

also be covered in the foundation papers.

• New higher content will cover more essential skills required at A level.

• Most significant change is the ‘problem solving’ aspect of questions.

Some of the new topics in each tierFOUNDATION [Grade 1-5]

• Compound interest and reverse percentages

• Direct and indirect proportion (numeric and algebraic)

• Solve simultaneous equations

• Solve quadratic equations by factorisation

• Trigonometry• Lengths of arcs and areas of

sectors of circles• Vectors

HIGHER [Grade 4-9]• Functions including inverse

and composite• Iteration• Introduction to calculus• Geometric sequences• Venn diagrams

Example of a foundation tier question on averages:

Old style of question:

New style of question:

Examples of the new ‘most challenging’ material:Introduction to iteration – an A level maths topic [covered in C3]

More advanced algebraic manipulation – these skills are essential at A level

Greater links to coordinate geometry/graphs – these skills are again used at A level

Preparing for assessments and exams

• Make use of online resources: ‘mymaths’, ‘just maths’ & ‘mathswatchvle’.

• Regularly revise topics in small chunks to aid retention of key facts & skills.

• Develop resilience by answering problem solving based tasks.

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Access new content here

online.justmaths.co.uk

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Video clips, worksheets and solutions available

Access to new content

mathswatchvle.com

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Maths changes summary• Several previously ‘higher tier’ topics will now also be

covered in the foundation papers

• We anticipate more students will enter the foundation paper due to its level of difficulty

• Both tiers enable students to meet the entry requirements for sixth form/colleges. Higher tier if considering A Level Maths

• Most significant change is the ‘problem solving’ aspect of questions – be resilient!

• It is important that students revise throughout the two years and keep comprehensive notes and feedback from teachers

Online revision login details