MathsReviewed 26 Jun 2026

GCSE Maths specification

GCSE Maths develops fluency in number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics, and the reasoning and problem-solving that apply them in unfamiliar contexts. It is the foundation for A-level Maths and the most widely-sat GCSE.

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How it's assessed
Tiered (Foundation/Higher), linear - WJEC (Wales) additionally offers an Intermediate tier.

Assessed entirely by external written exams with no NEA. Most boards set three equally-weighted papers (one non-calculator, two calculator); Eduqas sets two longer papers and WJEC two units per tier. A formulae sheet is provided in every paper from the 2025 series onward.

High-level topics

The main areas of content and what a student is expected to know and do.

Number

Structure and calculation, fractions / decimals / percentages, indices, surds, standard form, measures and accuracy.

Algebra

Notation, manipulation, solving linear and quadratic equations, simultaneous equations, sequences, and graphs of linear, quadratic, exponential and trigonometric functions.

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

Ratio, scale, direct and inverse proportion, percentage change, compound measures, and growth and decay including compound interest.

Geometry and measures

Properties and constructions, mensuration, vectors, similarity, circle theorems and trigonometry of non-right triangles (Higher).

Probability

Calculation, listing and representation of probability, including tree diagrams, Venn diagrams and conditional probability.

Statistics

Sampling, interpretation and representation of data, summary measures, plus cumulative frequency, box plots and histograms with unequal class widths at Higher.

Exam boards

The awarding bodies that offer this qualification, how their papers are structured, and what's distinctive about each - with links to the official specification.

AQA
Spec 8300

AQA GCSE Mathematics (8300)

Papers & assessment

Three 1 hour 30 minute papers, each worth 80 marks (240 total). Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow a calculator. Each paper carries 33⅓% of the qualification.

What's distinctive

A tiered, linear GCSE assessed by three written exams, taken at Foundation or Higher tier, with all content potentially examined on any paper.

Specification

Specification (web)Full specification PDF

Past papers & mark schemes

Past papersMark schemesExaminer reports
Full AQA breakdown
Edexcel
Spec 1MA1

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics

Papers & assessment

Three 1 hour 30 minute papers, each worth 80 marks (240 total, 4½ hours of exam time). Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow a calculator. All sat in the same series at the same tier.

What's distinctive

A tiered, linear GCSE assessed by three equally weighted written papers - the most widely used Maths GCSE in UK schools and international centres.

Specification

Specification (web)Full specification PDF

Past papers & mark schemes

Past papers (filtered)
Full Edexcel breakdown
OCR
Spec J560

OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics (J560)

Papers & assessment

Three 1 hour 30 minute papers per tier, each worth 100 marks (300 total per tier). For both tiers, Paper 2 is non-calculator and Papers 1 and 3 allow a calculator. Each paper carries 33⅓% of the qualification.

What's distinctive

A linear, two-tier GCSE assessed by three papers per tier, each worth 100 marks across twelve named content strands.

Specification

Specification (web)Full specification PDF

Past papers & mark schemes

Past papers, mark schemes and reports
Full OCR breakdown
Eduqas
Spec C300QS

WJEC Eduqas Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics

Papers & assessment

Two 2 hour 15 minute papers, each worth 120 marks (240 total). Component 1 is non-calculator; Component 2 allows a calculator. Each component is 50% of the qualification.

What's distinctive

Eduqas is WJEC's England-facing brand. A linear, two-tier GCSE assessed by just two longer papers per series, with problem solving running through both.

Specification

Specification (web)Full specification PDF

Past papers & mark schemes

Past papers & mark schemesExaminers' report (Summer 2025)
Full Eduqas breakdown
WJEC
Spec 3300

WJEC GCSE in Mathematics

Papers & assessment

Two written units per tier, each 50% of the qualification. Unit 1 is non-calculator and Unit 2 allows a calculator. Higher / Intermediate: 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks each. Foundation: 1 hour 30 minutes, 65 marks each. Plus 2 marks per paper for organising, communicating and writing accurately (OCW).

What's distinctive

The Wales-only Welsh Government-regulated GCSE. Most Welsh students sit it alongside its sibling, WJEC GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy (3310); the two together form the "double" maths result.

Specification

Specification (web) - Maths & NumeracyFull specification PDF (3300)

Past papers & mark schemes

Past papersExaminers' report (Summer 2024)
Full WJEC breakdown
How the boards differ

Core content is common to all five boards; the differences are structural. AQA, Edexcel and OCR set three 1h30 papers; Eduqas sets two 2h15 papers; WJEC (Wales-only) sets two units per tier and adds an Intermediate tier alongside Foundation and Higher, and is usually sat with its sibling Mathematics–Numeracy. Paper marks and which paper is the non-calculator one vary by board. See the dedicated exam-board pages for the full per-board breakdown, formulae sheets and past papers.

Original sources

Straight from the awarding bodies - the specifications these summaries are drawn from.

AQA - AQA GCSE Mathematics (8300)Edexcel - Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in MathematicsOCR - OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics (J560)Eduqas - WJEC Eduqas Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in MathematicsWJEC - WJEC GCSE in Mathematics

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