You sit down to revise for your GCSE Maths exam and suddenly every topic feels urgent. Should you do another past paper? Learn the formulae? Practise the topic you keep avoiding? Or watch someone else solve the questions and hope it sticks?
The essentials
In exam week, use your recent mistakes to choose a small number of topics, practise questions independently, mark your working and retry the questions you missed. The evening before each paper, keep revision manageable and prepare your equipment.
You do not need to feel confident about the entire syllabus before you walk into the exam. You need a workable plan for the questions you can answer, the ones you can partly answer and the ones that initially leave you stuck.
This guide gives you that plan, whether you are preparing for Foundation or Higher GCSE Maths.
Your GCSE Maths exam week checklist
Save this checklist or print it. Use it before each paper, rather than trying to follow a completely new routine every day.
Revision
- Check which paper comes next and whether calculators are allowed.
- Choose two or three priorities from a recently marked paper.
- Practise questions on those topics without looking at solutions.
- Mark the working as well as the final answers.
- Redo incorrect questions from a blank page.
- Complete a short mixed set to check that you can recognise the methods.
- Practise with the official formula sheet for your exam board, tier and year.
Organisation
- Confirm the exam date, room and school arrival time.
- Check the duration and any agreed access arrangements.
- Pack your permitted equipment in a clear pencil case.
- Test your calculator before a calculator paper.
- Set an alarm and plan your journey.
- Choose a stopping time for revision the night before.
Key point
If you only have time for one revision task, revisit a mistake you understand but have not yet corrected independently. Reading a solution is useful; reproducing the method without help tells you whether you can use it.
First, check which GCSE Maths paper you are sitting
Do not assume that everyone's "Paper 1" is the same.
| Qualification | Non-calculator paper | Calculator papers | Per paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE Maths 8300 | Paper 1 | Papers 2 and 3 | 90 minutes, 80 marks |
| OCR GCSE Maths J560 | Foundation Paper 2; Higher Paper 5 | The other papers | 90 minutes, 100 marks |
The AQA details come from the AQA GCSE Maths specification. If you take Edexcel, Eduqas or another qualification, confirm the paper details using your statement of entry, school timetable and official exam-board information.
Write this at the top of your revision page: Next paper: ______ | Calculator allowed: ______ | Duration: ______ | Arrival time: ______
This small check helps you choose the right practice and pack the right equipment.
Will you get a GCSE Maths formula sheet in 2027?
For GCSE Maths qualifications in England covered by the current formula-sheet arrangements, formula sheets will be provided in 2027. Ofqual has also confirmed their continuation from 2028 for the lifetime of the current specifications (see AQA's update on Ofqual's decision).
Download the official sheet for your board, tier and exam year and use it during practice. Check separate guidance if you take International GCSE or a qualification outside these arrangements.
A formula sheet helps you recall a formula. You still need to know when it applies, what each symbol means and how to rearrange it.
Worked example
Using a formula sheet. Recognising the trapezium formula is only the start: A = ½(a + b)h
You must identify the two parallel sides and use the perpendicular height.
Common mistake: treating a sloping side as the height. A sloping side is not automatically the height.
What should you revise in the final week?
Start with your marked work, rather than a list of every GCSE Maths topic. For each lost mark, ask: What stopped me getting this right?
| What happened? | What to do next |
|---|---|
| You did not know the method | Review a short explanation, then attempt a similar question independently. |
| You knew the method but made an error | Identify the exact step and practise that step with different numbers. |
| You could solve it after seeing a hint | Practise recognising the method in a mixed set. |
| You ran out of time | Try a timed section and practise moving on when progress stops. |
| You misunderstood the question | Identify what was given, what was required and the relevant units. |
The best last-minute priorities are often topics you almost understand. They give you something specific to improve.
Worked example
Choosing a priority. Suppose your last paper shows that you:
- solve simple equations correctly;
- lose negatives when expanding brackets;
- struggle with every part of algebraic proof.
If the exam is tomorrow, fixing bracket expansion may be a more manageable priority than trying to master algebraic proof from scratch. It can also help with several other algebra questions.
That does not mean never learning harder topics. It means choosing work that fits the time you have.
Foundation tier: secure the methods you can repeat
If you are working towards grades 4 or 5, check how reliably you handle:
- fractions, decimals, percentages and negative numbers;
- ratio, sharing and proportion;
- substitution, expanding brackets and solving equations;
- angles, area, volume and unit conversions;
- averages, charts and basic probability.
Use your results to narrow this list. You do not need to revise all of it equally.
Quick tip
Practise applying familiar skills in worded questions, too. Being able to calculate 15% of an amount does not automatically mean you will recognise when a problem needs that calculation.
Higher tier: balance accuracy with harder problems
Higher students still need to protect marks on familiar questions. Losing signs, misreading a graph scale or using the wrong percentage multiplier can damage an otherwise strong paper.
Alongside those checks, choose appropriate stretch topics from your own weaknesses, such as quadratics, algebraic fractions, bounds, trigonometry, vectors or proof.
Watch out
Do not spend the whole week on the hardest questions if your marked papers show repeated errors in earlier ones.
A realistic GCSE Maths revision plan for exam week
Maths papers may be spread across several weeks, so adapt this plan around each paper and your other subjects.
| When | Main task | What you should finish with |
|---|---|---|
| 5–7 days before | Complete and mark a suitable past paper, or review a recent one. | Two or three priorities based on lost marks. |
| 3–4 days before | Practise those priorities, then attempt a mixed set. | Evidence that you can use the methods without prompts. |
| 2 days before | Complete a timed section or paper if useful. | A short list of remaining errors and pacing issues. |
| Day before | Retry selected mistakes, review the formula sheet and pack. | A prepared bag and a manageable final review. |
| Exam morning | Check your timetable and do a brief warm-up if it helps. | Enough time to arrive without rushing. |
| Between papers | Rest, then adjust your priorities for the next paper. | A fresh plan rather than a lengthy post-exam autopsy. |
You do not need a full past paper every day. Only start a paper if you have enough time to mark it and learn from it. For a day-by-day version of the final week, see our 7-day plan for your final week.
A focused 60-minute revision session
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes | Choose one specific problem, such as reverse percentages |
| 10 minutes | Review the method if needed |
| 25 minutes | Attempt relevant questions without solutions |
| 15 minutes | Mark and redo selected mistakes |
| 5 minutes | Attempt a fresh question without help |
The 20-minute version
If you only have 20 minutes, use 10 for practice, five for marking and five for retrying one error. Keep some time for correction.
How to use past papers, mark schemes and predicted papers
Start with a paper that matches your exam
Use your own exam board, tier and calculator status for realistic practice: Starley has AQA, Edexcel and OCR GCSE Maths papers. Questions from other boards can help with individual topics, but your own board's papers are the better starting point for practising its instructions and format.
For a timed attempt, use permitted equipment and the appropriate formula sheet. Keep answers and video solutions closed.
Mark what you actually wrote
An answer that looks obvious after you read the solution is not an answer you earned during practice.
Check the mark scheme against your original working. If it awards credit for a correct equation or intermediate step, look for that step on your page. Do not assume that every line of working earns a mark.
Where the scheme is difficult to interpret, ask your teacher rather than guessing.
Turn the mark scheme into a next action
Instead of writing "revise percentages", record a precise correction:
| Mistake | Correction | Retest |
|---|---|---|
| I subtracted 20% from the sale price to find the original price. | After a 20% reduction, the sale price is 80% of the original. Divide by 0.8. | Attempt another reverse-percentage question tomorrow without notes. |
That is much more useful than keeping a long list of topic names.
Use predicted papers to practise, not to narrow the syllabus
Predicted papers can provide extra questions and a structured timed session. They cannot guarantee the topics or questions in your actual exam.
Watch out
After an earlier paper, suggested topic lists may help you organise practice. They do not prove that a topic is "finished". Keep some mixed practice alongside any targeted work.
Non-calculator paper: what to check
Practise the calculations that your calculator usually handles:
- fraction arithmetic;
- decimal multiplication and division;
- percentage calculations;
- negative numbers;
- exact answers involving fractions, surds or π, where relevant to your tier.
Write intermediate steps when they help you keep track.
Worked example
Subtracting fractions. Calculate 5/6 − 3/8.
The denominators need to match. A common denominator is 24:
5/6 = 20/24 and 3/8 = 9/24
Therefore 20/24 − 9/24 = 11/24
Common mistake: subtracting the original numerators and denominators. The numerator and denominator both change when you create an equivalent fraction.
Try it yourself
Calculate 7/10 − 1/4.
AnswerShow answerHide answer
14/20 − 5/20 = 9/20
Calculator paper: what to check
Use the calculator you have practised with. Before exam week ends, check that you can:
- enter fractions and multi-part expressions;
- use brackets around a whole numerator or denominator;
- calculate powers and square roots;
- switch between fractions and decimals;
- use trigonometric functions and inverse functions, where required;
- check degree mode for questions using degrees.
Follow your school's instructions on calculator eligibility, memory clearing and exam mode where applicable.
Key point
A calculator gives an output. You still need to choose the calculation and judge whether the result makes sense.
Worked example
Reverse percentages. A coat costs £68 after a 15% discount. Find its original price.
After the discount, the customer pays 85% of the original price:
0.85 × original price = 68
Original price = 68 ÷ 0.85 = £80
Check: 15% of £80 is £12, and £80 − £12 = £68.
Common mistake: adding 15% to £68 gives £78.20. That uses the wrong starting amount: the discount was calculated from the original price.
Try it yourself
A bicycle costs £252 after a 10% discount. Find the original price.
AnswerShow answerHide answer
£252 ÷ 0.9 = £280
What to do the night before your GCSE Maths exam
Give the evening a clear finish.
Review your short correction list. Retry a few questions that previously went wrong. Check your formula sheet and, for a calculator paper, your calculator settings.
Then pack and stop.
If you choose to do a timed set, make it short enough to mark and correct. Starting a full paper late in the evening can leave you with unfinished work and a new list of worries.
Remember
Do not turn one unfamiliar question into a verdict on all your preparation. Identify whether there is a small useful step to learn, then return to your plan.
What equipment do you need for GCSE Maths?
- Two working black-ink pens
- Pencils, an eraser and a sharpener
- A ruler, protractor and pair of compasses
- A permitted calculator for calculator papers
- A transparent pencil case, if using one
Check that your compasses work and your calculator battery is reliable. Follow your school's instructions for water bottles and any other items.
Important
JCQ guidance requires black ink for written answers and see-through pencil cases. Phones, earbuds, notes and watches are unauthorised items; follow your school's procedure for storing them before you enter. Remove calculator covers with printed instructions or formulae.
If something goes wrong on the day—such as missing equipment, illness or an access arrangement that has not been provided—tell an invigilator promptly.
What to do on exam morning
Check your school arrival time, eat something familiar if you can and leave enough time for the journey.
If a warm-up helps, spend five or ten minutes on questions you already know how to solve:
| Warm-up | Answer |
|---|---|
| 0.7 × 0.4 | 0.28 |
| 5x + 7 = 32 | x = 5 |
| 2.4 m in centimetres | 240 cm |
The purpose is to settle into working, rather than test your entire syllabus before breakfast.
Avoid a difficult last-minute paper if it leaves you rushed. Put away revision materials before entering the exam room and follow the invigilator's instructions.
During the exam: how to protect your marks
Start with the instructions
Check that you have the correct paper and tier. Fill in your details when instructed. Do not open the paper or start working before you are told to.
Once the exam begins, read the front-page instructions and start with an accessible question. Working in order is often practical, but you can leave a question and return.
When you get stuck, find a useful first step
Ask yourself
- What information have I been given?
- What am I trying to find?
- Can I draw or label a diagram?
- Can I write an equation or substitute into a relevant formula?
- Is there a simpler calculation I can do first?
Relevant working may earn credit even if you cannot finish. Unrelated calculations do not earn method marks just because they fill the space.
If you stop making progress, mark the question for return and move on. Use the mark allocation as a rough guide to the amount of work expected, rather than a rigid stopwatch.
If you panic, make the next task smaller
You do not have to solve the whole paper at once.
Pause briefly, take a few slow breaths and identify one manageable action: label a length, convert a unit or start an easier question. If you feel unwell or need help with exam arrangements, raise your hand.
Use your final minutes for specific checks
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Question wording | Did it ask for the original price, the discount or the final price? |
| Units | Did you mix metres and centimetres, or minutes and hours? |
| Signs | Did a negative disappear when you expanded or rearranged? |
| Rounding | Did you round at the end to the requested accuracy? |
| Exact answers | Did you keep π or a surd when the question required it? |
| Graphs | Did you read the scale correctly? |
| Reasonableness | Is a probability between 0 and 1? Is a length positive? |
Check every page for missed questions. Keep working visible and make your intended final answer clear.
After a difficult maths paper: how to reset
It is tempting to spend the afternoon comparing answers and calculating how many marks you might have lost. That often gives you an unreliable score and little useful direction.
Take a break first. Later, write down one or two actionable observations:
- "I spent too long on a question I could not finish."
- "I need more practice entering fractions on my calculator."
- "I forgot to convert minutes into hours."
Use those observations for the next paper.
Key point
For AQA, the three papers contribute equally to the overall assessment. An uncomfortable first paper therefore does not decide your result on its own. Keep preparing for the remaining papers rather than treating a guessed score as your final grade.
GCSE Maths exam week FAQs
Is one week enough to improve in GCSE Maths?
You can use a week to correct specific weaknesses, practise exam technique and become more reliable on familiar topics. How much you improve depends on your starting point and the work you do. A particular grade increase cannot be guaranteed.
Start with errors you can identify and retest.
Should I do a full past paper the night before?
You do not have to. A short mixed set and a review of recent mistakes may be more manageable. If you do attempt a full paper, leave enough time to mark it, address useful errors and finish at a sensible hour.
What should I revise if the exam is tomorrow?
Choose two or three fixable weaknesses from recent work. Practise them, mark them and retry errors without notes. Then check your equipment and timetable.
Avoid spending the whole evening browsing resources without answering questions.
How many hours should I revise during exam week?
There is no single number that suits everyone. Plan around your other exams and how much focused work you can sustain. Use sessions with a clear task and include breaks.
Judge a session by what you can now solve independently, rather than how long you sat at your desk. For more on session length, see how long to revise for GCSE Maths.
Can the same topic appear on more than one paper?
Yes. Do not cross a topic off your revision list simply because it appeared earlier. For AQA, content from any part of the specification may be assessed on each paper, within its calculator restrictions.
Do I still need to revise formulae if I get a formula sheet?
Yes—revise how to use them. Practise selecting a formula, identifying the values, substituting correctly and rearranging when needed. Check the official sheet rather than assuming every useful fact or method is supplied.
Can I get marks if my final answer is wrong?
Sometimes. A mark scheme may award credit for correct methods or intermediate steps. This depends on the question and your working. Show a clear mathematical method, even when you are unsure of the final result.
Your next step
Open your most recently marked GCSE Maths paper and choose one question you could not answer independently.
Identify what went wrong. Review the method if needed. Close the solution and retry it. Then attempt a similar question with different numbers.
Repeat that process with a small number of priorities, keep some mixed practice and prepare for each paper in advance. You will arrive with a clearer idea of what you can do—and what to do when a question makes you hesitate.